We’re in Buenos Aires, sipping on an Argentinian Malbec and watching the sultry shadows of dancers glance off the blue lit walls of the secret underground portico hosting tonight’s clandestine milonga… oh wait, my imagination got away from me for a moment, we’re in an old coal train tunnel in inner Sydney harbour suburbia, and the wine is actually a (very nice) James Estate Reserve Range Shiraz, but there are definitely porticos and excellent tango music, and the whole experience transports the audience to another world for just over hour. What a delightful way to begin the weekend.
Internationally renowned violinist, Anna Murakawa and awarded guitarist Vladimir Gorbach performed from a small stage right in the centre of Tunnel One at the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability. A unique piece of Sydney history, the tunnel is only open to the public (thanks to North Sydney Council) for special events like this concert produced by relative newcomer to the Sydney classical music scene Music in the Sky. It is a truly unique experience to see a concert here and Music in the Sky do a wonderful job to enhance the distinctive dirt-floored, sandstone-walled setting with dramatic lighting effects and quality sound production. I heard one smiling audience member gleefully say it was ‘a bit like being on a tram’. In order to please audience members, who were stretched out on either side of the slim stage, the duo warned us that at times one or the other may have their back to us, but this arrangement worked admirably in their favour as the two were playing literally face to face and their musical expression and communication shone through the performance as a result.
Our musical journey unfolded with two duets from the impressionists Ravel (Pavane pour une infante defunte) and Debussy (La Plus Que Lente), both introduced by Murakawa in a relaxed and friendly way which helped to set the tone and also explain the music and its intention – so much more personal than reading program notes in a dark tunnel. These pieces showcased the talents of the duo immediately as they settled into the space.
A light cool breeze wafted through as the day faded away and we moved to Murakawa’s homeland, Brazil, with three works by Heitor Villa-Lobos and one by Radamés Gnattalli, whom she referred to as the unsung hero of Brazilian music. I will certainly watch out for this composer after hearing his Introdução e choro, full of dramatic rhythms and Latin American themes, but the standout for me in this Brazilian set was O canto do cisne negro, (song of the Black Swan). Bowed solely on the G string (the lowest string) of the violin this was a technically challenging piece played with aplomb by Murakawa and joined in duet by Gorbach’s harp-like rhythmic guitar line evoking the motion of wings in flight.
Next we headed to Spain with the lively and poignant Spanish Dance No. 5 Andaluza by Granados – with typically Andalucian harmonies the pair danced lightly over their respective strings and worked together beautifully. Then, Gorbach introduced Manuel de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole as a work about love, ‘the romantic, the tragic, and everything in between,’ and that feeling was evident in the playing. We began to hear some percussive and flamenco techniques on the guitar as well as some pizzicato and double stopping from the violin which upped the drama and lead to a joyous and truly ‘together’ fourth movement.
The concert’s final showcase was of two works by Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla. His music revolutionised traditional tango and his ‘nuevo tango’ incorporates elements from jazz and classical music to the traditional songs. His Histoire du tango Bordel 1900, Café 1930, and Nightclub 1960 was an exploration of different tango periods and his popular Libertango was an appropriate choice of encore for these two skilled musicians. We popped out of this unique venue into a glorious sunset over the harbour, a brilliant ‘second encore’ of the evening!
Music in the Sky is the brainchild of producer Keith Hong who is passionate about bringing classical music to new audiences in unique spaces, he adds a touch of lightning, never over the top or taking precedence over the music, but helping to create a full sensory experience. He certainly achieved that goal with this special concert and he has assured classikON that there are more exceptional venues on his 2022 program. We’re 100% looking forward to what’s next!
