A very excited nine year old lined with her mother and the other concert goers to listen to a varied program of music at The Roxy. Eliza was nearly skipping on the spot waiting for her mum to collect the tickets and speak to a few people. She wanted to know what they (the musicians) would be wearing, would they be in black? and Why? What instruments would they be playing? What kind of music would she be hearing?
Ellie explained that musicians often wear black to not distract people from listening to the music. As the Ensemble entered the stage for the first item, Eliza quickly pointed out that the girls weren’t wearing black.
Ellie explained that musicians often wear black to not distract people from listening to the music. As the Ensemble entered the stage for the first item, Eliza quickly pointed out that the girls weren’t wearing black.
The musicians were not as formal in keeping with the feeling in the Roxy of a friendly comfortable atmosphere. The girls dresses were beautiful. Eliza particularly liked Rohana Brown’s red dress.
The program began with an Oboe quartet in F, K.370 movement 1 – Allegro by Mozart. Eliza still very excited whispered I know this one Mum. She didn’t remember that she used to go to sleep to this piece and the following Flute quartet.
The audience was privileged to hear both classic and contemporary selections. "Conversations" by Arthur Bliss had five suites. Not all the music was played with a bow some of it was plucked. This was very interesting to Eliza who loved the viola, Yilin Zhu, and also wanted to know what was wrong with the flute. As both the flautist, Kate Lawson, and the oboe, David Papp, changed instruments during this piece.
Eliza thought they had back up instruments in case something went wrong with the other one.
Beethoven finished the first half.
At Intermission, Eliza was fortunate to meet the musicians
Kate Lawson (flute), Rohana Brown (violin) and Manu Berkeljon (violin).
The second half began with an unfinished Quartettsatz by Schubert. Eliza liked this one the best.
The audience was introduced to a piece by Matthew Hindson, Rush. The composer is modern and tries to bridge the gap between Pop music and Classic. Patrick Suthers, Cello, introduced this piece and promised if we cheered as if we were an ‘unwashed long haired’ pop audience we would be treated to some Tangos. So of course the audience cheered and whistled.
The program finished with three Tangos. The second of which has featured in many films.
By the end, Eliza was nearly asleep having had a very long day. But she sparked up when the musicians joined the Roxy audience for something to eat and drink. Eliza’s first comment was I like your dresses and Rohana (violin) very graciously let Eliza feel her dress.
Manu Berklejon’s (violin) dress tied up at the back and Eliza asked her to turn around and queried why there were so many breaks? Kate Lawson, flute, in a shot silk purple dress, explained that they needed to make sure that everyone that was playing the next piece made it on stage and didn’t get left behind.
Eliza finished up the night a very happy little girl. She told her father the music was great!
Ensemble member Rohana Brown commented afterwards "Thanks so much for having us. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to play in your beautiful venue. It was definitely a highlight of our year! Hope to see you again soon".
