BY ANTONIA ZAPPIA
‘I Was Flying’
Sally Whitwell
Label: ABC Classics
Sally Whitwell’s latest album is a collaborative kaleidoscope of intrigue and wonder. Upon my first listen, I was not certain I would have the bravery to follow this flight. It is an album with such variance compositionally that you do need a second (or even a third) ‘first’ listen. And, who would not want to indulge in such a wonderful journey? At just over an hour’s length, ‘I Was Flying’ is an excellent introduction to contemporary classical music. Whitwell’s musical wit sparkles throughout with whimsical waltzes, sublime songs and solo piano works.
I would advise, in one listening session, trying to group pieces by category. Take the gorgeous, technical fireworks of Whitwell’s collaborator soprano Alexanda Oomens. Their performances together (tracks 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 19) could easily make an album stand alone. The thrilling flurry that begins track 6 (‘Skylark’) is followed by such lovely warmth and grace in the slower second half of the song. It is a shame it’s only two minutes long. ‘Nightingale’ proceeds with a gentler introduction and Oomens’ lower-to-middle register drifts in and out of Whitwell’s arpeggios and playful grace notes.
The second category to consider is Whitwell’s performance with Sydney Philharmonia’s VOX, a choir compromised of 18 to 30-year-olds. Tracks 2, 4, 10, 14, 16 and 18 features some highly inventive uses of a vocal ensemble. I was not entirely convinced at first of the bird effects in ‘A Hundred Thousand Birds’ – although, I did like the callbacks between the altos and sopranos that came shortly afterwards. The falling, repeating chords in ‘To Your Shore’ serve as a lighthouse to the choir as they introduce an inspiring call and response between the female and male voices. ‘She Walks in Beauty’ has some of the most stunning lyrics on the album. I would advise simply humming along as, if your ear is anything like mine, you’ll get the lyrics wrong and embarrass yourself. Best to sit back and listen in awe.
The other collaborations are instrumental and truly fantastic. Flautist Sally Walker and violinist Kristen Williams are great fun, establishing the melody and then running away with improvisational flare. Check out tracks 12 and 15. With these last few words, I need to tip my red beret – a perfect winter’s hat – to track 5, ‘Winter Love’. What the Acacia Quartet and Whitwell create here is a piece so passionate, loving, textured, full and yet so quiet, sparse and despairing. The piece’s ending is thrilling. No spoilers as to whether it is happy or sad – you’ll need to buy the album to get the answer to that!
‘I Was Flying’ is nominated for the ARIA Best Classical Album award.
Image supplied.
