Music / Inspirations, Zachary Connor, cello; Edward Neeman, piano and David Pereira, cello. At Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton, June 14. Reviewed by LEN POWER.
What inspires music, what does the new draw from the old, and how do we keep making music?
These were the questions Zachary Connor, cellist, had in mind when designing the program for this concert.
The result was a program of two works from past masters and premieres of two new works composed by himself with echoes of those earlier inspirational works.
Joining him on the stage were two other superb artists, Edward Neeman, piano, and David Pereira, cello.
Introduced by Connor in a relaxed, down-to-earth manner, the concert began with a short work, Improv. Connor explained after playing it that the work really was an improvisation of the moment. Beautifully played, it demonstrated his mastery of the cello.
Connor and Neeman then performed the Cello Sonata in D minor by Shostakovich. Written in 1934, this emotionally turbulent work embodied the composer’s early style and was greatly drawn upon for his 5th Symphony. Sitting close to the performers in this intimate venue, the drama in this work and the clarity of the playing was especially pleasing.
Connor then played the Suite for Solo Cello by Gaspar Cassadó. Inspired by Catalonian folk music and the Spanish highlands, it was composed in the early 1920s. This highly dynamic and complex work, filled with fire and passion, was given a superb performance.
David Pereira joined Connor and Neeman onstage for the two works composed by Connor – Martyr and A Suite from the Afterlife. Connor invited the audience to listen for echoes of Cassadó and Shostakovich in the works.
Martyr was written for the short film of the same name and embodies the mind, and external pressures of a boy witness to a violent crime. Making use of microtones, which gave the work an unfamiliar, edgy quality, all three performers played this complex, emotional work with great skill and feeling.
A Suite from the Afterlife was written for the stage play of the same name. This delicate, melancholy work evoked memories of the past and was a nicely tender ending to this inspirational concert.
Who can be trusted?
In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.
If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.
Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.
Thank you,
Ian Meikle, editor
