Three major Victorian festivals heralded in classical music offerings for 2024. A highly successful Peninsula Summer Music Festival, much of which was performed at the atmospheric Peninsula Hot Springs, led the way. Classic Melbourne’s Julie McErlain was there as Festival directors, oboist Ben Opie and flautist Melissa Doeki, welcomed the New Year with Sounds at Sunrise. Perfect weather and magical surroundings made it an auspicious beginning. Further outstanding performances followed, although not always in such ideal weather. You can read her reviews on the Classic Melbourne website.
Julie also attended the next festival to hear performances given as part of Organs of the Ballarat Gold Fields, notably Anthony Halliday’s organ recital at St Peter’s Anglican Church, which she also reviewed.
Our roving reviewer now has her sights set on festival number three: the Bendigo Chamber Music Festival. Running from January 31 until February 4, it is billed as “18 World Class Artists. 14 Concerts. 5 Venues. 5 Days. 1 Great City.” With renowned cellists Chris Howlett and Howard Penny at the helm again, you can see from their description below that it promises to be as fabulous as ever. The link with the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), an ongoing relationship with violinists Sophie Rowell and Natsuko Yoshimoto , violist Tobias Breider and pianist Daniel de Borah, and a line-up of more of the cream of Australia’s musicians, have made this such a popular event that the Platinum and Gold packages have sold out already. There are still tickets left, but it would pay to be quick.
“Welcome to our fifth Bendigo Chamber Music Festival program.
With BCMF firmly established in Australia’s musical calendar, we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Young Classical Artists Trust in London, which we began last year with such success. This year we welcome stellar violinist Irène Duval and extraordinary oboist Armand Djikoloum exclusively to Bendigo.
“Our wonderful BCMF artist family of Sophie, Natsuko, Tobi and Daniel are joined by piano royalty Anna Goldsworthy and Tim Young, as well as glorious violinist Holly Piccoli, who now calls Adelaide home, and the much-admired Orava quartet’s violist, Tom Chawner. Australia’s own international bassoon superstar Lyndon Watts and outstanding mezzo-soprano Ashlyn Tymms join us for the first time.
“We continue our commitment to the future by presenting three rising stars of ANAM, Louise Turnbull, Jamie Miles and Noah Lawrence, performing both individually and together, as well as our master class for local musicians. A special program highlight this time is our community concert with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and Luke Severn, featuring two Bendigo-born soloists Andrew Young, now with MSO, and Noah Lawrence presently at ANAM.
As always the hugely varied program is full of brilliance and poetry, bringing Bendigo’s remarkable venues to life with the sounds of passionate music-making. Can’t wait to see you there!
“Chris and Howard”
“If you can’t make it to Bendigo, Australian Digital Concert Hall will be broadcasting the five weekend concerts from The Capital, which you will be able to watch live in the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@chrishowlett.net.au”
Photo supplied.
