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Celestial Vivaldi

by Suzanne Yanko 6th September, 2011
written by Suzanne Yanko 6th September, 2011
213

Celestial Vivaldi – the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s imaginative tribute to the popular Baroque composer – also featured music of three of his contemporaries. The concert literally began with chaos – Le Chaos, part of Les Elemens by Jean-Fery Rebel, one of France’s great secular composers during the period that Vivaldi, ‘the red priest’, was in Venice. Like the composer of The Four Seasons, however, Rebel composed his music to evoke the mood of his subject. Chaos used percussion and a series of discordant passages, while the ‘elements’ of earth, water and fire were represented by a far sweeter, harmonic baroque sound, enlivened by the ensemble’s distinctive percussion. Director Paul Dyer was in his element conducting from the harpsichord, inspiring a vigorous concerted attack from the ABO. The next item was by French organist Michel Corrette, whose 75-year career began only a little later than Vivaldi’s and who was evidently an admirer of the Venetian. You could argue that his Laudate Dominum de coelis was an 18th century-style cover version, appropriately reimagining a popular work: Vivaldi’s Spring concerto (from The Four Seasons) arranged as a motet for large choir. Corrette wrote his own introduction, a soprano solo with a gentle, swaying movement, delivered with suitably spring-like freshness by Siobhan Stagg who impressed by maintaining her pitch in a particularly long unaccompanied passage. The fine choir – comprising singers from Melbourne Grammar School Chapel Choir and the Choir of Trinity College (University of Melbourne) – introduced the well-known music of Vivaldi, bringing a reassurance that Corrette’s work was no pastiche, but one that brought new life to familiar music, while introducing worthy new sounds. Guest concertmaster Rachael Beesley connected the music of the two composers with a virtuoso violin passage while bass James Roser and counter-tenor Timothy Chung did far more than simply smooth the transition between the two. Of further interest was an instrumental refrain that had echoes of Vivaldi, yet had a subtle key change to mark the work as undeniably Corrette’s. Although there had been some initial nervousness in the audience about how the Laudate Dominum might work, all the talk at interval was of how wonderful it was. Equally novel, and very enjoyable, was the first item in the second part of the concert: Concerto a piu instrumenti in G major, Op.6 No.5 by the Italian composer Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco, better known in his own time than today. The piece was classic Brandenburg fare: bright, pacey and rhythmic – and from the stance of Dyer and his ensemble, a sheer joy to perform. This made the work perfect concert fare, and a vehicle for a number of musicians to show what they were made of. The violins shone in a graceful adagio and a short, stylish allegro which recalled Vivaldi’s own music. It was thus an apt curtain-raiser for the major work on the program: Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus, one of the works he wrote for the female musicians of the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice. Not nearly as well-known as the composer’s Gloria in D, despite having many similarities in form, Dixit Dominus nevertheless deserves more airings. The choruses are vigorous, the choir delighting with clean entries and clear diction, the instrumentation varied and suited to the various parts of the work, and the solos pleasing. Although it had an insecure start, the trumpet redeemed itself as accompaniment to Chung’s solo, in which he displayed great power even on higher notes, before the choir did a sterling job on the (fairly bloodthirsty) chorus: Judicabit in nationibus. Chung’s next solo, De torrente, displayed true mastery of baroque style, and soloists, chorus and orchestra joined in for a worthy example of the period in the final Gloria. The Amen had an unusually swaying rhythm, in 3/4 time, but with a fully realised fugue. There was an ethereal element as the upper voices rose note by note – to some imagined heaven? Rating: Five stars Celestial Vivaldi Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Conducted by Paul Dyer REBEL: Les elemens (1737) CORRETTE: Laudate Dominum, motet à grand choeur (1766) DALL’ABACO: Concerto à più istrumenti Op. 6 No. 5 in G Major VIVALDI: Dixit Dominus RV 595 Melbourne Recital Centre September 4 – 5 City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney September 2 – 3 and September 7 – 10

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Suzanne Yanko

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Events Calendar

35 events found.
  • July 2025

Calendar of Events

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0 events, 1

1 event, 2

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

July 2 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

Deep listening sessions, hosted by DJ Weary, presenting pristine original vinyl recordings in hi-fidelity sound. A night of celebration and reverence…

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7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Live at Toorak: Richard Tognetti x Konstantin Shamray

July 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Live at Toorak: Richard Tognetti x Konstantin Shamray

"Audacious, Thrilling, Transcendant" Experience the electrifying synergy of Richard Tognetti AO, the visionary Artistic Director of the ACO, and Konstantin Shamray, Australia’s most…

$37.83 – $153
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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Mendelssohns

July 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Mendelssohns

Pure Musical Bliss Chief Conductor Jaime Martín presents a joyful program of classical and early romantic treasures. Join us for an…

$20 – $105
8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

July 3 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

Join Orchestra Victoria for another epic evening of live music from the world’s most loved indie video games. On the heels…

$24.50 – $99

1 event, 4

8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

July 4 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

Join Orchestra Victoria for another epic evening of live music from the world’s most loved indie video games. On the heels…

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0 events, 5

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1 event, 7

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Darcy Gilkerson – A Glow in the Dark

July 7 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Darcy Gilkerson – A Glow in the Dark

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0 events, 8

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1 event, 10

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

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$30 – $144

2 events, 11

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

To mark this year’s 50th anniversary of NAIDOC week, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Strength, Vision and Legacy of Yorta Yorta…

$25 – $113
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Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

July 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

SET 1 Australian/Finnish, Finland-based musician Simon Svoboda is back to perform in Melbourne, joined on stage by dear friend and cello…

$22

2 events, 12

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Chamber music at its most spirited. The Benaud Trio is one of Australia's finest and most lively chamber ensembles. Celebrating their…

$40 – $50
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Chamber music at its most spirited. The Benaud Trio is one of Australia's finest and most lively chamber ensembles. Celebrating their…

$40 – $50

1 event, 13

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

Highlighting the warmth and beauty of the MCO sound. One of the most iconic works, Barber’s Adagio for Strings lifts the lid on…

$30 – $144

0 events, 14

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

1 event, 17

7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

From New York to Peru. Conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya returns to lead the MSO, opening with his fellow Peruvian’s work Fiesta! and…

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2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

From New York to Peru. Conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya returns to lead the MSO, opening with his fellow Peruvian’s work Fiesta! and…

$20 – $139

0 events, 20

1 event, 21

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

Yearning and tenderness German cellist Raphaela Gromes performs Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. Dedicated in part to the composer’s dying sister-in-law, this work…

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1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

Playing the works from their vast back catalogue that have earned the brothers justifiable recognition as Australia’s finest classical guitarists.

$52 – $65

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

  • There are no events on this day.
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July 2
July 2 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

July 3
July 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Live at Toorak: Richard Tognetti x Konstantin Shamray

July 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Mendelssohns

July 3 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

July 4
July 4 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

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July 7
July 7 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Darcy Gilkerson – A Glow in the Dark

  • There are no events on this day.
July 10
July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 11
July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

July 12
July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 13
July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 17
July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19
July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 21
July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

August 1
August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

July 10
July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 11
July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

July 12
July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 13
July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

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  • There are no events on this day.
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July 17
July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

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July 19
July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

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July 21
July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

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August 1
August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

  • There are no events on this day.
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