ThoroughBass | Music Ensemble Sydney

Snow in Summer

admin — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:40:17 +0000

We celebrate the imagination and inventiveness of three Australian women composers. Elena Kats Chernin’s optimistic and exuberant suite Reinventions is based on Bach’s 2-part Inventions. Nadje Noordhuis’ children’s suite Magpie Baby evokes the world of the toddler in a series of delightfully quirky character-pieces. And a song by Ann Carr-Boyd sees humanity from the point of view of insects. Both suites have been arranged/commissioned by Thoroughbass for Thoroughbass and we are delighted to present them for the first time ever. With Alicia Crossley (recorders), Angus Ryan (cello, lyrics), Danielle Grant (soprano) and Diana Weston (harpsichord).

Hymn to the Sun

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 05:36:29 +0000

Eight scenes from Philip Glass’ monumental opera Akhnaten are presented in concert version including Funeral, The Window of Appearances and Hymn to the Sun. It portrays the phenomenal world of Egypt’s most fascinating pharaoh Akhnaten while immersing you in the perfume of the man/god himself. From the visceral sensations of Funeral to the anguish of Epilogue, Glass’ opera tells of not only the events, but the vision, the pathos and ultimately the tragedy of Akhnaten, in music that is as powerful and unique as Akhnaten himself. With Tim Chung (Akhnaten) and Hester Hannah(Nefertiti).

Women and Children

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:04:53 +0000

This concert also features the music of women – this time from the 17th century. Juxtaposed with songs by Francesca and Settima Caccini and other women is the suite For Children by Bela Bartok – played not on piano but on harpsichord. Like Bartok, Francesca Caccini was at the forefront of a new style, both ground-breakers in their own way.

Apollo and Dionysus

admin — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:51:10 +0000

The juxtaposition of pain and beauty was recognized from as far back as Greek mythological times as the gods of music - Apollo (beauty) and Dionysus (destruction). This concert highlights the interconnection between the two states of being, how one is incomplete without the other, in music by Handel, Albinoni and Sculthorpe. and featuring the heart-breaking Arianna’s Lament by Monteverdi. With Sophia Mitchell (mezzo soprano), Angus Ryan (cello), Lucy Cormack (cello and percussion), Alicia Crossley (recorder) and Diana Weston (harpsichord).

Brandenburg IV for 4

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:15:19 +0000

Two grand works stand transformed side by side – J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. IV for two recorders, harpsichord, strings and continuo is heard in an arrangement for 2 recorders and 2 harpsichords. And selections from Elena Kats-Chernin’s imaginative Reinventions for strings and recorder, based on Bach’s 2-part inventions as arranged by the composer for recorder and harpsichord. With Alana Blackburn and Joanne Arnott (recorders), Monika Kornel and Diana Weston (harpsichords).

La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:40:16 +0000

ondineproductions is a collaboration of Thoroughbass with The Tall Poppeas

Francesca Caccini’s only surviving opera, La liberazione di Ruggiero was first performed in 1625. Probably the first opera written by a woman, it is an imaginative conglomeration of story and song combining arias, duets, trios and chorus with delightful instrumental intercessions.At its heart is the idea of mental perception but its setting is pure fantasy with dolphins, singing plants, fiery seas and monsters.

Laughter and Tears

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:43:19 +0000

Benedetto Marcello’s oratorio Il pianto e il riso delle quattro stagioni, presented in collaboration with members of The Song Co., is a depiction of the death and assumption of Mary. Contrary to morbid expectations, the narrative is chockablock with exuberant melodies as, Marcello believed, it was a work divinely inspired. With guest singers Anna Fraser, Lanneke Jones, Mark Donnelly, Richard Butler and a band of 5 string players.

Shakespeare in Song

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:09:44 +0000

Three chapters in the imaginary Book of Shakespeare are ‘introduced’ by recorder player Joanne Arnott - a book devoted to music associated with Shakespeare. The first chapter features music performed in the plays as they first appeared. The second sees Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream the basis of an opera in excerpts from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. In the third, Shakespeare’s mark is as the text in the songs of Rubbra, Vaughan Williams and Rutter. Singing the tales are Danielle Grant (soprano) and Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo), with Cathy Upex (gamba/cello) and Diana Weston (harpsichord)

So Many Sensuous Pleasures in Such a Short Time

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 06:58:54 +0000

The sound of eight cellos is a wrap-around warm and sensous sensation. Eight form an orchestra with voice in Villa Lobos’ romantic Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5. With combinations of two, three and four we also present music by Granados, Vivaldi and Marcello. Led by guest director Tim Blomfield and featuring the sultry voice of soprano Hester Hannah this is a concert of full of excitement and energy.

Love and Desire in the Time of Handel

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:44:52 +0000

Soprano Hester Hannah draws upon her extensive operatic background to fully engage you in her highly expressive and dramatic rendition of Handel’s cantatas. Written when the composer was young, raw and fresh, these heart-rending songs presage his own operatic development. With up and coming recorder player and recording artist Alicia Crossley, playing music by Bach and Telemann, and accompanied by Diana Weston on harpsichord and Angus Ryan on cello, the program is varied and fascinating. This concert is supported by the Willoughby Spring Festival 2011 Grant Program and is to be held in Willoughby’s wonderful new chamber music venue, The Studio on The Concourse.