Branford Marsalis - Queensland Performing Arts Centre QPAC

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Mon 13 May 2019

Branford Marsalis - Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)


The performances of Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis at QPAC had a great deal in common, over and above their being brothers.

A quiet dignity for starters and a capacity to blend well with a team of superlative musicians. Neither tried to dominate proceedings, though their reputation and their musicianship stood out.

We arrived early – which allowed us to read the excellent program guide, sponsored by Virgin Australia.

Which lauded Branford as, like his brothers, being "a musician, composer, band-leader and educator" and outlined his career trajectory as a jazz pioneer and legend, bringing his technical mastery, with "an insouciant swagger" to classical music.

And prepared us for a program which mostly featured twentieth and twenty-first century composers who were strongly influenced by jazz.

Chatting with another concert-goer, he shared that the ACO had introduced him to music that he might otherwise have been reluctant to try. " I love their joy and their sheer skill in playing " he said.

He was spot on. Throughout the concert, we were struck by the interaction of the players, and by the triumphant smiles they shared when they had successfully "nailed" a challenging section.

Brandford Marsalis also, as in a jazz improvisation, was constantly in touch with the other players, taking his cues from them, and acknowledging their skill.

To me, the "stand-outs" in the first half were the jazzy Stravinsky ragtime, and the tango Piazzolla extravaganza.

After the interval, we were treated to a premiere performance, specially written for Branford Marsalis by Sally Beamish. Inspired by the story of a soldier sparing the life of a child during the massacre at Glencoe, this meditative, melancholy and melodic music was spellbinding and unforgettable.

We had the good fortune to have Katie Noonan sitting beside us. After the Ginistera "Finale Furioso" where the violins were creating an amazingly difficult frenzy of sound, she shared an awed "How good was that!"

Which could have summed up the ACO.

What a wonderful ensemble – each one a virtuoso in their own right – each one clearly enjoying being part of a uniquely creative partnership.


Would I recommend this concert to Sydney-siders? Unreservedly. It takes us out of our comfort zone and introduces us to the interface between classical music and jazz. And it does it very well.

ARTISTS

Branford Marsalis Saxophone
Satu Vänskä Director and Violin

PROGRAM

Stravinksy No.3 from Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet
Villa-Lobos Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra
Piazzolla The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Villa-Lobos Ária (Cantilena) from Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
Sally Beamish Under the Wing of the Rock: Saxophone Concerto
No.2 Australian Premiere
Ginastera Concerto for Strings

Sydney Recital Hall - 18th ,21st ,22nd May
Sydney Opera House – 19th May

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!date 13/05/2019 -- 13/05/2019
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