The Annual |
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Glebe Music Festival |
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In conjunction with The Glebe Society Inc The 15th Annual Glebe Music Festival Guitar, Magyar, Sinar Diplopia or stereo? How does one describe the visual and auditory experience of identical twin Hungarian guitarists? Peter and Zoltán Katona performed music by Vivaldi, Rossini/Giuliani, Tedesco, de Falla, Rodrigo and Piazzolla at Gleebooks and Margaretta Cottage. This was a first for Australia, to hear the musical magic of these internationally-acclaimed young masters. Simon Powis, one of the many Sydney-based guitarists who featured in this year's Glebe Music Festival, appeared not only at these venues but also at the opening concert at the Great Hall, University of Sydney, along with the Sydney Conservatorium Guitar Ensemble, performing music by Suarez (Delta), Brouwer (Cuban Landscape With Rain), Houghton (Opals) and Charlton (Rainsong), alternating with lively percussion by Reich and Cage. This theme of rhythm and vibrancy continued in the gardens of Margaretta Cottage one Saturday afternoon with the Balinese Gamelan Sekaa Gong Tirta Sinar and swirling dancers in dazzling costumes. Elegant waiters served authentic refreshments as bemused passers-by paused to watch the colour and pageantry. The cult band urban eXcentrics at the Old Court House was witnessed by audience on the bench and in the jury box. Relive that experience by purchasing their new CD "Faux Naturelle" (I bought 5). Choirs? Innominata under their outgoing musical director David Vivian Russell sang from Praetorious to Walton at St John's Church, followed by a generous afternoon tea compliments of the parish. Bel a cappella under their incoming musical director Russell Ger attracted a capacity audience to St Scholastica's with A Ceremony of Carols. And a woodwind trio (Swirl), a string quartet (Wolf and Barber) and solo saxophonist Jason Xanthoudakis rounded of the programmes. With eight concerts over three weeks, there was music to satisfy varied tastes. The Glebe Music Festival attracts performers of international standing and has attracted international recognition. Thank you to all those who made it such a success, especially members of the Glebe Society, Gleebooks, David Miller and Raffaele Agostino from the Conservatorium, St John's Church, the Attorney General's Department, the Good Samaritan Sisters at St Scholastica's, Kathy North, Rob Dowsett, and Beris and Ted McIntosh. A large donation is being made to the Children's Hospital at Westmead in lieu of payment to The Good Food Company (www.thegoodfoodco.com.au) - thanks to Yael Shohat for this. The dates for the 16th festival are 11 to 27 November 2005. Dr E. David McIntosh (Artistic Director) |
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