BY JASMINE MIDDLETON
Come and Listen to Music (C.A.L.M.)
Perth Symphony Orchestra
Perth Town Hall, 16 August
In its latest instalment in new concert series Come and Listen to Music (C.A.L.M.), the Perth Symphony Orchestra invited city folk to come together and share in the revitalising powers of Mozart after a long day at work.
Not only did the PSO succeed in transporting concertgoers to a safe, calming space far from impending deadlines and the stress of everyday life. It succeeded in breaking down the long-established barriers of the ‘concert hall’ tradition as it completely reimagined the accessibility and experience of live classical music – for the better.
Stepping into the historic Perth Town Hall, it was difficult to imagine the carnage of 5pm peak-hour traffic happening just outside its walls. Filled with music by a solo violinist and cellist performing in the corridors, the dark-timbered ceilings and cosy, timeless décor led the way into the candlelit hall. Atmospheric music evocative of a day spa was paired with warm-hued lighting; and a make-shift, pop-up bar created the perfect combination to enable concertgoers to transition into a state of relaxation. In this home-away-from-home, the musicians – even PSO founder and director Bourby Webster, herself – played the role of gracious hosts, mingling with guests before the performance and welcoming us into a humble abode.
The audience set-up was also unconventional. With the orchestra positioned in the middle of the hall and surrounded by seated and standing areas, this left the stage free for those wishing to relax on a yoga mat during the performance.
After the orchestra congregated back to the performance space wearing casual jeans and white shirts – far from the traditional concert blacks – yoga instructor Stephanie Johnson led the audience through breathing and body-awareness exercises in preparation for Mozart’s Symphony No. 41. This next-level audience engagement created a heightened sense of community; it really was a concert for us.
Although we in the audience were invited to close our eyes, it was hard not to be mesmerised by the visually engaging, dynamic, and cohesive ensemble led by concertmaster Paul Wright and conductor Jessica Gethin. With close communication and flowing gestures, Gethin artfully sculpted the varying orchestral colours in each movement, revealing the intricate characters within one of Mozart’s most complex and moving symphonies. The upper strings provided vibrant, soaring passages, and crystallised chords aided by a tasteful use of vibrato; while the lower strings provided a warm, rich foundation for the ensemble. The woodwinds blended expertly to create a unified whole.
It was the foot-tapping, animated fourth movement that provided the musical highlight for the night. With the triumphant brass section and timpanist driving the robust outbursts in the strings, the audience was certainly far from falling asleep.
The outward, pure enjoyment that the PSO musicians exuded must have been infectious as, by the last C major cadence closing the piece, the whole audience was beaming. Gethin’s informal ‘thank you’ and open invitation to join the musicians at the bar was received with an enthused reaction from the audience, and it was clear that the night had been a success.
READ NEXT: Jasmine interviews PSO founder Bourby Webster on why we should be using music like this to help us chill.
Images supplied. Credit: Richard Jefferson.
