BY CARISSA DYALL
Hush
Local Heroes series
Rubiks Collective with Lotte Betts-Dean
Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre, 3 July
What makes a great performance?
Is the repertoire selection or the technical brilliance of the musicians? Is it a wide variety of emotions that the music evokes?
I would say a great performance is a combination of the above, with the conviction and intent of the musicians who drive it. This is especially noticeable in an intimate chamber setting, like the Primrose Potter Salon in the Melbourne Recital Centre – the perfect setting for Rubiks’ latest concert, Hush. It was an exploration of voice, gesture, and breath. These elements, as mentioned by flautist and co-founder Tamara Kohler, are part of every human.
The evening’s performance was a palindrome, starting off with the full ensemble of voice, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion; and the Australian premiere of Don’t Say a Word by Annika Socolofsky. A haunting and moving piece, emotions led by singer Lotte Betts-Dean, with facial expressions, incredible vocal ability, and convincing gesture.
Next was a quartet that brought out the elements of voice and gesture elements with staccato-like attack. This was contrasted by the intimate setting a flute and cellos duet, by Annie Hui-Hsin Hsieh. Lights were dimmed and the performers sat with their backs to each other. The focus was drawn to the deeper connection between the musicians and their ability to work together in an almost cerebral manner.
From there, the performance took a turn and grew back to a quartet of flute, violin, cello, and percussion. Violinist Cameron Jamieson’s convincing exclamation half-way through broke the tension of the piece with chuckles throughout the audience. Ghosts by Dmitri Tymoczko brought the performance back to the full ensemble, accompanied by LP backing track. The haunting and build-up of intensity throughout the entire piece brought the concert to a breath-taking close.
Everything was in its place and meant to be – a polished performance that provided heart and conviction, and was a transformative and emotional journey.
We’ll leave you with a quote that inspired the program.
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
– T.S. Eliot
Images supplied. Credit: Zoe Baumgartner.
