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Penny Quartet: RESPIRE

by Heather Leviston 14th February, 2018
by Heather Leviston 14th February, 2018

With inspired programming, Penny Quartet launched the 2018 Local Heroes series, Melbourne Recital Centre’s seventh year-long festival of chamber music that has continued to attract enthusiastic audiences. It took place in the Melbourne Recital Centre, Salon on February 12.

Of all the many concerts in this series that I have attended, I cannot remember a more wildly enthusiastic response after a first item than the one greeting the quartet’s performance of Bryce Dessner’s Aheym. A work of super-charged excitement, it was played with fierce commitment by these young players, who came together in 2014 while at the Australian National Academy of Music. It was an ideal way to begin a concert and a series. Aheym (meaning “homeward” in Yiddish) was one of three quartets commissioned by the Kronos Quartet from Dessner, an American composer and guitarist based in Paris. According to Dessner, Kronos’ founding leader, David Harrington, had wanted something “not too subtle or quiet” for an outdoor concert series. What he calls a “ferocious” piece of music was doubly so in the intimate venue of the MRC’s Salon. It begins with all four players digging into the strings to produce aggressive sforzandos before subsiding to an agitated murmur. Often minimalist in style, the ten-minute work encompasses a gamut of contrasting musical effects, and depends on precise coordination for maximum impact. By the time the work had built to its furious climax you could feel the mounting tension in an audience just about ready to explode with excitement.

It was a hard act to follow, but a work by another of New Music’s stars, the highly sought after German clarinetist, conductor and composer Jörg Widmann, seemed the perfect choice. Considered one of the most versatile and intriguing artists of his generation (he was born in 1973, just three years before Dessner) Widmann’s String Quartet No. 3 will be the modern centerpiece of the Australian String Quartet’s Beethoven program this year. Penny Quartet is to be applauded for presenting the Australian premiere of his String Quartet No. 4. Changing the lighting from an energising red for the Dessner to a shadowy blue for the Widmann, an almost imperceptible nocturnal whisper of bow hair on wood began the aural frame for the piece. Quiet puffs of respirations from the players acted as an accompaniment to the breathing instruments. The music encompassed seemingly amorphous, fragmented outbursts of sound, that explored the acoustic possibilities of the instruments, and a gentle steady passacaglia. Within the rasping, popping and sometimes violent pizzicato the rhythmic pulse propelled the momentum. It is a fascinating piece that was played with assurance.

Although for the most part sounding almost conservative in this context, Benjamin Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 from 1941 presents its challenges, especially in the soft opening phrases of inquiring tonality. That bane of the concert hall, the mobile phone, decided to join in almost immediately. But the positive, congenial atmosphere established by first violin Madeleine Jevons, soon saw the quartet (and audience) back on track with a renewed beginning. The contrasting movements were negotiated with considerable sensitivity and maturity, with some splendidly full-bodied, rich sonority in the third Andante calmo movement; there was a satisfying depth of tone that had the listener wondering how four players could sound like so many more.

At the end of the concert many members of a sizeable audience stood to cheer and applaud the Penny Quartet’s four young artists: Madeleine Jevons, Amy Brookman (violins), Anthony Chataway (viola) and Jack Ward (cello). It is reassuring to see the future of chamber music in such capable and musically adventurous young hands.

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Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

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Events Calendar

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  • December 2023

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0 events, 27

2 events, 28

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

November 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

Conflicts of human nature unleashed through captivating Romantic piano masterpieces. Embark on a captivating journey as acclaimed pianist Tristan Lee, delves…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

November 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

Two European stars in the making, and two exquisite soloists – violinist Noa Wildschut and pianist Elisabeth Brauss perform a grand…

$40 – $158

1 event, 29

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

November 29 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

The Young Soloists unites highly talented award-winning young virtuosos from over 20 nations. Among their many groundbreaking successes, Young Soloists are…

$10

3 events, 30

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

November 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

Don’t we all just want to be happy? In their second series installment Syzygy invites listeners to strap in for an…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

November 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

Presented by BK Opera Melbourne independent opera company BK Opera presents Befreit, an opera inspired recital at the Eleventh Hour Theatre in…

$33 – $49
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

November 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

Audience favourite Andrea Lam joins the MSO for Rachmaninov's powerhouse Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and Jaime Martín conducts Shostakovich's…

$69 – $135

0 events, 1

4 events, 2

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

Presented by BK Opera Melbourne independent opera company BK Opera presents Befreit, an opera inspired recital at the Eleventh Hour Theatre in…

$33 – $49
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

The Accelerando program provides an opportunity for exceptional young artists to take their music to the next level. A year-long journey,…

Free
7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

A Christmas Fanfare: a feast of music for choir and brass Choral masterworks from four centuries and favourite traditional carols Melbourne…

$25 – $45
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

Audience favourite Andrea Lam joins the MSO for Rachmaninov's powerhouse Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and Jaime Martín conducts Shostakovich's…

$69 – $135

5 events, 3

Featured 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

World record performance in Melbourne Town Hall The 40th Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Concert “The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra…

$65 – $95
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

Join with the Heidelberg Choral Society and Orchestra, conducted by Peter Bandy, with soloists Teresa Ingrilli (soprano), Dimity Shepherd (mezzo soprano), Timothy Reynolds (tenor), and Oliver Mann (baritone) to hear Handel at his most brilliant.

$50 – $55
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

Celebrating our 10th anniversary, Play It Forward presents a joyous, rousing concert of all the greatest rock music classics from Queen…

$32 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

The Royal Melbourne Hospital 175th Anniversary Gala Concert. Corpus Medicorum finishes their Duality concert series with a giant party! Come and join the…

$30 – $65
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

Join concert pianist Yasmin Rowe for an exciting and evocative program of piano works at Montsalvat.  With a first half of Couperin's…

$35 – $40.00

0 events, 4

1 event, 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

Beauty and elegance meets skill and maturity. Acclaimed Melbourne string quartet Quartz are a confluence of Australian musical talent and world-class…

$30 – $37

1 event, 6

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

December 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

Sonic frontiers, stunning projections, chamber music and unconventional instruments. Experience sonic innovation as Displaced Bodies unites two of Melbourne’s cutting-edge ensembles. Ossicle Duo,…

$30 – $37

2 events, 7

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

Quartets quintets, and sextets… oh my! Shostakovich’s profound Piano Quintet represents a period of writing where the young composer, who was…

$59 – $69
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

Quartets quintets, and sextets… oh my! Shostakovich’s profound Piano Quintet represents a period of writing where the young composer, who was…

$59 – $69

0 events, 8

4 events, 9

2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 9 @ 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

A Christmas Fanfare: a feast of music for choir and brass Choral masterworks from four centuries and favourite traditional carols Melbourne…

$25 – $45
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

December 9 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

Musical fun and entertainment for the whole family, join KIAZMA Piano Duo for an interactive experience. Let the magic of classical music transport…

$30 – $37
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

December 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

Victoria Chorale will capture the spirit of Christmas at 5pm on Sat Dec 9 at St Paul's Cathedral. The program includes…

$20 – $60
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

December 9 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

Usher in the festive season with a rare performance of Liszt’s enchanting Christmas Trees. Let the magic of classical music transport…

$30 – $37

1 event, 10

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

December 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

Nicholas Dinopoulos leads nearly 200 singers of the Australian Boys Choral Institute and The Vocal Consort in this unmissable traditional festive…

$34 – $60

0 events, 11

0 events, 12

1 event, 13

6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

December 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

Affinity Quartet perform revolutionary masterpieces by Haydn and Bartók. Join Affinity Quartet as they perform a program of innovative treasures for…

$30 – $37

0 events, 14

2 events, 15

Featured 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 15 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

December 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

A captivating ‘unearthing of sonic archaeologies.’ Immerse yourself in original, spatial-sounding artworks that redefine environments. Join acclaimed sound artist Ros Bandt…

$20 – $25

4 events, 16

Featured 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 16 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
Featured 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Featured December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

Carols in the Cathedral 2023 3 spectacular concerts in St Paul's Cathedral Friday 15 December at 8.30pmSaturday 16 December 2pm  and…

$25.00 – $87.00
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

Noël! Noël! is filled with timeless carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Stille Nacht and many musical surprises. The much-anticipated annual tradition that is Noël!…

$30 – $185
7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

Noël! Noël! is filled with timeless carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Stille Nacht and many musical surprises. The much-anticipated annual tradition that is Noël!…

$30 – $185

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

0 events, 21

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0 events, 23

0 events, 24

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0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

  • There are no events on this day.
November 28
November 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tristan Lee – Between Heart & Head

November 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Wildschut and Brauss

November 29
November 29 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LGT Young Soloists

November 30
November 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Syzygy Ensemble – Joy Ride

November 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

November 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 2
December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 3
Featured Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

$65 – $95
December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

December 5
December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 2
December 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

BK Opera: Befreit – Released

December 2 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Accelerando Recital 2023

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody

December 3
Featured Featured December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah 2023

$65 – $95
December 3 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Heidelberg Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rock Choir – Play It Forward 10th Anniversary Concert

December 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #4

December 3 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Something Suite – Yasmin Rowe

  • There are no events on this day.
December 5
December 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Quartz – Sweet Disposition

December 6
December 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ossicle Duo & Rubiks Collective – Displaced Bodies

December 7
December 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

December 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

Omega Ensemble – Lionheart

  • There are no events on this day.
December 9
December 9 @ 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Christmas Fanfare

December 9 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Mother Goose

December 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Victoria Chorale: Gloria

December 9 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

KIAZMA Piano Duo – Christmas Trees

December 10
December 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Australian Boys Choir: Sing of Christmas

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
December 13
December 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Affinity Quartet – Innovators

  • There are no events on this day.
December 15
Featured Featured December 15 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
December 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Ros Bandt with Alana Blackburn – Sounding Spaces

December 16
Featured Featured December 16 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
Featured Featured December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

RMP presents Carols in the Cathedral

$25.00 – $87.00
December 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

December 16 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Event Series

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: NOËL! NOËL!

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