The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) kicked off their Maestro Concert Series with style Friday night (17 February).
Invoking the likes of Beethoven no less and his world famous ‘Ode To Joy’. Also on hand was local talent in the form of William Barton and Veronique Serret, whose work bridges the sounds of his didgeridoo with her violin. Opening the concert was their original composed piece from 2020, ‘Kalkani’, which made its orchestral version world premiere. Orchestrated by Robert Davidson, the work took us to Kalkadungu country where we were united in a singular breath under the watchful eye of Kalkani (eagle).
Next came Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe’s ‘Earth Cry’ which had been revised in 1999 to incorporate didgeridoo and was first played by a young William Barton and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 2002.
There was a bit of theatre to ‘Earth Cry’ as different artists including Barton appeared in different parts of the concert hall performing their instruments, before joining up on the main stage. This was done to reflect the vastness and scope of the land we call home.
These two early pieces called upon unity with ourselves and with the land, a perfect thematic accompaniment to ‘Ode To Joy’. After the past few years and the challenges we have faced, the QSO seemed in the mood to celebrate drawing strength from each other. Nothing more powerfully underlined this than the seamless merging of the ancient sound of the Indigenous didgeridoo instrument with the classic western instruments of the orchestra. Having experienced such perfection, you may walk away wondering why the hell doesn’t every orchestra just have a didgeridoo. . . Which perhaps reflects what William Barton and his colleagues have achieved, but not how difficult it is to pull it off.
Image © Sarah Marshall
After interval, we made our way through Beethoven’s symphony joined by the Brisbane Chamber Choir and soprano Eleanor Lyons, mezzo soprano Deborah Humble, tenor Andrew Goodwin and baritone Michael Honeyman. As the raised striking arms of the string section moved in perfect unison and energetic fervour, we built towards that renowned and powerful finale. One couldn’t help but marvel at all involved and their skills, yet there was a quiet lament that William Barton and his didgeridoo were not present. That is how good the joining of those two worlds were.
Violinist Joan Shih was finishing 33 years with the QSO with this concert and Concertmaster Warwick Adeney too is leaving, having begun his 38-year career back with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra before they merged with the QSO.
It was only fitting that these two passionate musicians bowed out with a series of concerts that were a triumph. Conductor Umberto Clerici and the rest of the orchestra can be proud in how they have begun their 2023 season.
