Standing ovations for Southern Cross Soloists’ inaugural Mountain Showcase

Southern Cross Soloists | Mountain Showcase

August 18, 2024 | Shambala Estate, Mt Tamborine, QLD

Southern Cross Soloists presented a day of fine chamber music on Sunday, in the natural beauty of Mount Tamborine. Their Soloists’ Mountain Showcase was a reinvention of their Bangalow Chamber Music Festival, held for 20 years in the quaint town of Bangalow, Northern NSW. The reimagined festival brought it closer to home, in the picturesque setting of Shambala Estate, Mt Tamborine. 

The morning concert featured renowned Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen and violin virtuoso Jakub Jakowicz, in a program of emotional and demanding masterpieces. I was unable to attend, but I heard their performance received a standing ovation. 

I arrived for the afternoon concert, titled ‘Musical Jewels’. Originally, this concert was going to feature guitarist Slava Grigoryan, but he had to cancel at the last minute due to his grandmother passing away. This meant the ensemble had 48 hours to scramble to put together a new program, which was a pretty impressive feat. The new program featured cellist György Deri,  violinist Margaret Blades, operatic bassist Jack Bolton, and pianist Roger Cui. 

György and Roger opened the concert with Liszt’s Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth. Inspired by an island in the river Rhine where Liszt spent summer holidays with his family, this piece evoked feelings of nostalgia and longing. This was followed by four short, lively and lyrical pieces by the Hungarian composer Kodaly, known as Epigrams.

Jack Bolton is an emerging bass opera singer, and the recipient of SXS’ Margaret Schindler Vocal Scholarship this year. On Sunday afternoon, he performed two classic folk songs by Britten, accompanied by Roger. O Waly, Waly (or Water is Wide) allowed the rich timbre of Jack’s voice to shine. Then The Foggy, Foggy Dew was a humorous song that was enjoyable to watch. 

György returned for Schubert’s Notturno in E Flat Major, accompanied by Roger. Written in an unusual key, this piece evoked evening serenity and dreaminess. György performed sensitively, allowing the audience a moment of reflection.  

Margaret Blades is a violinist and currently the acting co-artistic director of SXS, alongside Ashley Smith. On Sunday, she performed two movements from Mozart’s violin sonata, accompanied by Roger. She was captivating to watch, with her brightly coloured dress and passionate playing. 

Next, we heard a sonata for cello and piano by the Hungarian composer Dohnanyi. This was a moving and emotional piece which allowed his cello to resonate through the hall. 

O Mistress Mine is a love song originally from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This piece was arranged by Sean O’Boyle especially for this concert with Slava Grigoryan, then adapted at the last minute to suit piano instead of guitar. The revised version was a trio featuring Roger, Margaret and Jack. It was smooth and tender, with lush violin and vocals blending together. 

To close, György, Margaret and Roger performed the presto from Haydn’s Gypsy piano trio. This fun tune had us dancing in our seats. I enjoyed watching the trio move together to the beat. After this, they received a standing ovation, and then did a Piazzolla encore to top things off.  

Photo credit: Stephen Henry Photography