A Cunning Blog

Long words. Short words. Words that say something.

1st April 2017
by harryfiddler
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The Chancellor's Garden

  The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra raised the roof of the Verbrugghen Hall last night at their first concert of the year, the Chancellor’s Concert. Under the baton of Maestro Eduardo Diazmunoz they performed Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring … Continue reading

2nd March 2017
by harryfiddler
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SAUL!

Barry Kosky calls himself the extravagant minimalist. Love it. His approach is writ large on the main stage of the Adelaide Festival Centre in an exuberant production of Handel’s first oratorio, Saul. The staging is minimal — little more than a raked … Continue reading

18th February 2017
by harryfiddler
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MaximtchaikenBrahmserov

Louder. Faster. Higher: with superior instruments, highly-refined technique and an audience avid for pyrotechnics, nineteenth-century composers were liable to be sucked into an arms race of virtuosity when writing concertos. Brahms certainly did his best. Apparently Wieniawski thought it was unplayable. … Continue reading

20th January 2017
by harryfiddler
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Flashback Friday

Here’s another feature in my occasional flashback series, from ten years ago, when the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs presented Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.  It was the perfect disguise. Discreetly homosexual, an animal-loving pacifist and, doubtless, on first name terms with the vicar, … Continue reading