With a programme of beloved works from the Baroque period, as well as lesser-known pieces that are no less exhilarating, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra proved that music of centuries prior can still excite and enthral.
The evening began with the bounding emergence of the players onstage, led by artistic director Paul Dyer, who not only conducted across the concert but did so from the seat of his harpsichord.
Dyer quickly won over the audience by booming across the hall following a microphone malfunction, placing the sides of his hands against his mouth in a makeshift megaphone.
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The selection of Baroque music in modern classical music programming is nothing unusual, but what markedly sets the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra apart is their use of period-appropriate instruments. Their appearance at Melbourne Recital Centre was so unlike any other classical music performance because of these unique, remarkable instruments.
Baroque music, much like the art and architecture of the same period, is exquisitely ornate and detail-oriented. It is possessed of a sparkling, sharp, metallic quality and that was boldly apparent in every moment of Baroque Unleashed.
The dominance of percussive accents from the harp, harpsichord and Baroque guitar – an instrument that resembles a kind of oversized medieval lute – is what made the evening such a winning audience experience. The lack of gloss and smoothness that one enjoys from conventional modern instruments is what made the evening’s programme such a transportive, authentic experience of Baroque music.
Among many virtuosic solos across the evening, namely the fearsomely skilful violinist Shaun Lee-Chen and Adam Masters’s colourful solo on Baroque oboe, the most astounding work came from Paul Dyer.
Not only was he seated at the harpsichord for much of the programme, but he was also conducting the surrounding players. Even, at various points, doing so with one hand at the keys and the other hand controlling the tempo and ferocity of the strings, flexing individual fingers to affect the volume shifts he wanted.
A thoroughly charming and triumphant performance of historical music that invigorates the work of long-dead composers with all the verve and excitement of today’s best symphonic orchestras.
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra have live performances across Australia throughout the year. Keep up-to-date with their concert schedule here.
