May Music

 Our first foray was to a Melba Monday Concert.  We took our usual route with tram to ANZAC and then tunnel train to Parkville.  The conveyances were quite crowded: I wonder if public transport usage will plummet when fares come back at the end of the month?

Woodwinds

This featured Woodwinds, so it was a bit surprising to see a Cello listed for the first item.  However a musician (Each Zhang) walked out carrying a bassoon, explaining that the work, by Schubert was usually performed on a cello "but today you have me".  He - and the other musicians - was accompanied by a pianist.  A very good presentation.

The second work featured a clarinettist (Bailey Hume) who gave a promo to Peter Sculthorpe, explaining the work was about a location in Far North Queensland and the people who lived there.  Again very enjoyable.  Given the modernity of the piece it was very melodic.

The final work was by Carl Reineke of whom I had never heard.  The musician was Elissa Koppen, playing a flute.  Again melodic and very enjoyable.

Cellos

Our second outing was to Hansen-Dyer Hall.  This was primarily a cello recital with a piano also on deck, I felt as a co-conspirator rather than simply an accompanist.  

Certainly the first work, by Brahms, was entitled Sonata for Piano and Cello.  Although he didn't make it out of the 19th Century, I felt Brahms was heading a bit towards the 12 tone stuff which is not my favourite branch of music.  Possibly I should reflect on the Bang and Olufsen (I think) advert on the back of a Punch Magazine from some years ago asking "Does your turntable play Brahms and Liszt?"  That cultural reference is explained here although 'tipsy' is not the correct rhyme.

The other two works were for cello, but the pianist did his stuff in both.    Very proficient IMVHO, but adapting a quote from Donald Sutherland in Kelly's Heroes, "enough with the cellos already".

Brass

No cellos in this concert at Melba Hall.  It  was bit curate's eggy with some good bits - Siegfried's Funeral March from Gotterdammerung and I Feel Pretty from Westside Story - standing out.  Much of the other work was a little less appealing.  

There were varying numbers of people performing ranging from a quartet of 2 trombones, a euphonium and a tuba, to 24 trombones in the full choir.

The highlight was some comments by the conductor about the venue.  It appears to be showing its age and works are in hand.  He said that until the Southbank Centre was built this was the Conservatorium only performance and recording space.  Recording was only possible between midnight and 4am when the trams stopped.  This gave the possums a free pass.