20th July 2017
by harryfiddler
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The troops were gathered, the weapons tuned. The general stood, ready for action, in front of the battalions. The flag went up then BOOM. Battle commenced. Mahler’s third Symphony is an epic battle between life and death, hope and despair, … Continue reading
16th July 2017
by harryfiddler
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The relative speed of light and sound has always fascinated me. The way that, on the cricket pitch, you see the batsman swing and follow through a good second before you hear the tock of willow on leather. Or, in the concert … Continue reading
22nd April 2017
by harryfiddler
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National identity is a funny thing. When you’re in it, you can’t necessarily see it. Which is perhaps why it takes someone from the outside to make the most insightful observations. For example, Australia’s own Paul Kildea is one of … Continue reading
19th March 2017
by harryfiddler
1 Comment
A fantastic Sydney Symphony concert this afternoon. Benjamin Northey conducted the band in Andrew Ford’s Headlong, followed by Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, with Simon Tedeschi as soloist, and Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 to finish. You don’t hear these pieces … Continue reading
23rd February 2017
by harryfiddler
1 Comment
Sydney Symphony Orchestra has just announced the fifteen young musicians who make up this year’s Fellowship. Over the next twelve months violinists Gemma Lee and Bridget O’Donnell, violists Martin Alexander and Joseph Cohen, cellists Nils Hobiger and Ruben Palma, bassist Alanna Jones, flutist Kim Falconer, oboist Joshua Oates, clarinettist David … Continue reading
12th January 2017
by harryfiddler
1 Comment
The last few days in Sydney have been deafening. No. Not the lawn mower, the leaf blower or the incessant whinging of Sydneysiders (myself included) about the heat. No, the space in my brain reserved for listening has been filled … Continue reading
9th December 2016
by harryfiddler
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I’m feeling a little tired and emotional. It’s the end of a long year and the morning after a night of trying to keep my eldest’s Year 10 Formal revelries legal. So apologies for another Flashback Friday, but this one … Continue reading
27th November 2016
by harryfiddler
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It was a crowded house last night. Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, an all-star cast and a packed Concert Hall within. And without, all of Bennelong Point swarming with people either inside the enclosure, on the steps, or outside, … Continue reading
21st October 2016
by harryfiddler
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Busy studying this week so no reviews until Sunday, when I’m seeing this. Instead, I’m posting a piece I wrote back in 2011 to celebrate this month’s guest visit from Sydney Symphony’s former chief conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, along with a … Continue reading
24th September 2016
by harryfiddler
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A busy time in Sydney, writing, playing, listening (and, just in case you think I am an imaginary beast, washing-up, driving children around, walking the dog, going to the supermarket…) A mad Sunday which started with Battle of the Bands … Continue reading