An end

I attended too few events for this CIMF but I did get to the finale and it was stunningly and deeply interesting. The first half was particularly a challenge for some. For that, read contemporary! First up, Ned McGowan performed a solo flute piece, Salvatore Sciarrino Come vengono prodotti gli incantesimi. It was to be performed on bass flute, but was on standard concert flute in the end. This was all tonguing and valve slapping and occasional sudden crescendoes. More rhythm then melody. Then a premiere by resident composer Mary Finsterer called In praise of darkness inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' book of the same name about his loss of sight. Played by the Festival Sinfonia and directed by Roland Peelman. Five movements, often a tuned percussion background (marimba?) with strings in slow crescendoes and sudden decrescendoes (in synth parlance, where we most hear this, long attacks and sudden releases), occasional manic church (tubular) bells accompanied with sudden green lighting then hand drumming; later angry whale sounds, long notes over a choppy semiquaver rhythmic phrase, Chinese gongs and woodwinds and bass drums. I guessed the work was mainly in 6/4, but I could be wrong. Counting must have been hard. It was extended (~40mins) and some questioned that but I liked it, all darkness and depth and anguish and resolution. Then interval then Alice Giles featuring with a string section on two Debussy Dances sacrées et profane. Deliciously played and closer to home for some of the audience. And to finish, the Festival Sinfonia appeared again under Roland with solo violinist Tim Fain playing Bernstein Serenade (after Plato's Symposium). This was a new work to me and several others I talked to, but still familiar. The colours and instrumental combinations of West Side Story (think Rumble or Krupke) were evident. And the references were classic too, if older than WSS's Romeo & Juliet. It comprised five movements named for characters and themed about love and formed as an unlikely violin concerto. Tim Fain was strong and comfortable and I thought he looked very satisfied at the end. But a fascinating work that will get a workout on my Naxos or Spotify streams. Then an after-party for the players and supporters. There's fun in that, of course. Next year is CIMF no.25. A truly impressive tradition that I can only hope grows and grows.

The CIMF2018 Festival Finale at the Fitters' Workshop featured Ned McGowan (flute), Alice Giles (harp), Tim Fain (violin) with the Festival Sinfonia under Roland Peelman (conductor) playing Sciarrino, Finsterer, Debussy and Bernstein.

Violins talk

The Canberra International Music Festival is on again. The first thing I managed was a talk session with two violinists: Roland Peelman as host with internationals Cecilia Bernardini and Tim Fain. The chatter was of violins (of course), why they took up their instruments, what specific instruments they play, how are they different, but also into period music, especially its development over recent decades and the huge upheaval it caused. Interestingly, too, we heard the two violins live in comparison. Both are seriously impressive instruments, both from the classic source, Cremona. Cecilia plays Amati; I didn't catch Tim's family. Tim's is set up as modern; Cecilia's is set up for period playing, with gut. She uses the period bow, but also a transitional bow for classical music. We heard the differences between instruments and between Cecilia's bows. Fascinating and truly a rare opportunity.

Roland Peelman interviewed Cecilia Bernardini and Tim Fain (violinists) at the Ainslie Arts Centre.