Mark De Raad. Radford Auditorium, Art gallery of SA. 22 Feb 2015
“Brahms, what a gift-less bastard!” Tchaikovsky once uttered, apparently.
I first came across this quotation in Frank Muir’s excellent book ‘An Irreverent Companion to Social History’ and almost squealed with delight when the same sentiment was expressed in local entrepreneur Mark de Raad’s latest musical presentation of ‘Brahms: The Violin Sonatas’.
This concert delivered much more that expected. Not only did we hear some of Brahm’s most enjoyable works – three of his Sonatas for Violin and Piano (Opp. 78, 100 & 108) – but we also gained insights into his life and motivations for writing these works through several monologues that were creative reconstructions and dramatisations of his relationship with other composers and musicians – notably Tchaikovsky and Clara Schumann.
The monologues were delivered by Martin Penhale in the role of Joseph Widmann, and internationally recognised soprano Emma Horwood, who also beautifully sang Brahms’ uber moody and contemplative Regenleid and closed (fittingly) the concert with a haunting rendering of Wiegenlied (i.e. the famous lullaby).
As if the monologues and lieder were not a sufficient treat, but to have three of Brahms’ seldom performed violin sonatas positively spoiled the capacity audience. Shirin Lim (violin) and Kenan Henderson (piano, who was also the inspiration and creative force behind the conception and design of the concert) gave confident and personal interpretations of the three sonatas. The acoustics of the Radford auditorium sometimes blurred the subtleties of the essential dialogue between the two instruments, and Lim and Henderson took a little time to adjust to this at the start (in the Op.100) but they soon hit their straps and the effect was electric, especially in the adagio third movement of the Op.78, which Clara Schumann especially enjoyed, as told to us through Horwood’s superlative dramatisation.
This was a concert with a difference, and perfect classical fare for the Fringe. There are some tickets available for the second and final performance scheduled for Monday 9 March, but you will need to get in quick! Not to be missed.
Kym Clayton
When: 22 Feb & 9 Mar
Where: Radford Auditorium, Art Gallery of South Australia
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
