BY RACHEL BRUERVILLE, OPINIONS EDITOR
To Music
Bethany Hill (soprano), Penelope Cashman (piano)
UKARIA Cultural Centre, 25 September
Dear art…when I was caught up in life’s wild circle…
These are appropriate words for the year 2020, written as the first statement of Schober’s much-loved poem, and set within Schubert’s much-loved song, An Die Musik (‘To Music’). Translated from German, these words were shared with listeners inside the printed program at this live performance of music.
Artists who have been attempting to create during the COVID-19 pandemic don’t need to be informed of the struggles faced, the sacrifices made, or the hopelessness felt this year. We have lived it. We are still living it. We will be living it for a long time to come.
Here in Adelaide, live concerts are beginning to emerge.
Dear art, in how many a bleak hour… have you kindled in my heart a more ardent love…
These live concerts look a little different. The programs are shorter. The seating is distanced. The hand sanitiser is at the ready.
Still, the ardent love that I felt while watching this recital by Bethany Hill and Penelope Cashman was unmistakeable.
The program, beautifully designed by Studio Landmark, stated that “Each piece in this recital is a small homage To Music”. Bethany and Penelope chatted to the audience in between sets, explaining their repertoire choices in a considered and personal way. Their passion for art song shone through in their exploration of these songs of solace.
Every aspect of their performance was carefully thought out: the personable presentation, the venue choice of the intimate and beautiful UKARIA Cultural Centre, and the way each set of songs flowed so naturally, from the text relationships to the key relationships.
Musical highlights for me included the stunning, newly commissioned a cappella work I’ll Meet You There by local composer Jodie O’Regan with text by Rumi, and the powerfully honest interpretation of Simple Song from Bernstein’s Mass. O’Regan knows Bethany’s voice well, and her intuitive setting of Rumi’s poetry showed this deep understanding. Bernstein’s Simple Song showcased both artists’ sensitive musicality, and effortlessly personal expression.
As Bethany said: perhaps the higher power is music itself.
Dear art… transported me to a better world!
In the past six months on social media, I’ve seen lots of similar posts about the value of art in lockdown. “Imagine how terrible lockdown would be without the work of artists!” the posts say.
Despite being incredibly grateful for the opportunities technology has given us during this pandemic time, and having some wonderful moments of escapism listening to online musical content, I’ve still been pining for live interaction with artists.
“It’s better than nothing…but…” is a common thought shared among colleagues when discussing online concerts and attempted online rehearsals.
For me, there is also a paradox surrounding the enforced downtime of the pandemic. I think to myself: I’ve got so much extra time! I should be able to create so much more. But in reality, it hasn’t worked that way at all. Bethany and Penelope successfully used their extended preparation time, which they may not have had in any other year, to develop and present this love letter, To Music.
With this spirit, I send much love to everyone who is locked down in Melbourne, and in other parts of the country and the world. If you’re feeling guilty about being ‘unproductive’ during this time, do your best not to compare yourself to others. Remember, we are in a pandemic! It is okay to be struggling.
If you can, take comfort in your own songs of solace, and remind yourself that live music will return.
Beloved art, for this I thank you!
Images supplied.
