CONTENT COURTESY MELBOURNE DIGITAL CONCERT HALL
CutCommon is an official Melbourne Digital Concert Hall media partner, which means we’ll be bringing you coverage of this fantastic social initiative.
Held from 1-8 May 2020, Faces Of Our Orchestras is an eight-night festival on Melbourne Digital Concert Hall highlighting the amazing individuals and artistry of Melbourne’s orchestral world.
“MDCH is run by musicians, for musicians. This festival enables us to showcase those artists who perform on stage and in the pit — the concertmasters and tutti players — as well as instrument combinations that aren’t so regularly heard,” co-director Chris Howlett says.
“With the closure of Hamer Hall, the State Theatre and Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as schools and smaller venues, all orchestral musicians have been affected, no matter which chair they sit in.”
Over eight evenings, MDCH is streaming 14 one-hour recitals live from the Athenaeum Theatre, offering the rare chance to experience leading artists up close in a chamber setting while helping them generate much-needed income.
Acclaimed concertmasters Dale Bartrop, Sophie Rowell (pictured above), and Yi Wang bookend a program of recitals that celebrates the full spectrum of instrumental colour and artistry with concerts ranging from solo Bach, string trios, and Beethoven cello sonatas to brass ensembles, jazz, and an all-Australian concert by PLEXUS.
Sophie says: “In these uncertain times when the world is turning to the arts for solace and comfort but artists aren’t able to express themselves, MDCH has bridged that divide by allowing our voices to be heard once more, bringing our sounds back to life for you all.”
Dale adds: “There is such a depth of talent among the music-makers in Melbourne and in these difficult times, it couldn’t be more important to foster our love of music and to share that love with our community. We’re incredibly grateful to the MDCH for allowing us this opportunity to continue doing what we do best!”
The opening night on 1 May will feature two concerts. The first, at 7pm, will include string trios by Dvořák and Beethoven, as well as Bach Two Part Inventions. These will be performed by Dale Bartrop alongside Christopher Moore, David Berlin, Isin Cakmakcioglu and Gabrielle Halloran. At 8.30pm, principal violin of Orchestra Victoria Yi Wang will perform a stunning solo violin recital.
Full-festival passes are on sale now and are just $200, plus a $20 booking fee that supports members of the wider sector, including a stage manager, streaming technician, and piano tuner. Individual tickets will go on sale on April 22.
“For the price of a single pair of concert tickets, you can enjoy eight evenings of musical brilliance from the comfort of your home,” co-director Adele Schonhardt says.
“More importantly, the entire $200 ticket fee goes straight to the artists themselves, bringing them income, hope and solidarity in these difficult times.
“This is only possible thanks to the incredible support of major partners including 5Stream, the Athenaeum Theatre, Kawai, Musica Viva Australia, 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne, Tarisio, Limelight and CutCommon.“
“Melbourne Digital Concert Hall has found a simple way to bring the joy of music to viewers all over the world – and an income stream for artists,” 5stream CEO Tim Kelly explains. “We are happy to be involved in supporting their initiative.”
Launched on 27 March 2020, MDCH offers top-quality streaming from a zero-contact broadcast space that remains fully compliant with government health and safety requirements. It has so far engaged more than 40 artists and raised $80,000 in revenue for Australian musicians, with many more concerts to come.
Other upcoming highlights include Viva! with cellist Josephine Vains and pianist Benjamin Martin; part five of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas featuring Markiyan Melnychenko, Kyla Matsuura-Miller and Rhodri Clarke; a Melbourne Opera Gala, Chopin’s 24 Preludes with pianist Gintaute Gataveckaite, as well as Ian Munro’s ongoing exploration of the Beethoven piano sonatas.
Melbourne Digital Concert Hall is a new social enterprise run by musicians, for musicians. It was conceived to support the arts industry during the COVID-19 crisis and to provide a means for classical soloists and small ensembles to continue their profession.
Visit the website for bookings and to explore the program.
