BY NICHOLAS COLLINS
Syzygy Ensemble
Pagan Dances
Melbourne Recital Centre, 10 May
When singing, lyrics are there to help paint a picture the composer wants to express. But when there is no voice, how do performers express this vision?
Syzygy Ensemble certainly managed to paint a picture in its performance Pagan Dances at the Melbourne Recital Centre – and it was certainly up there with your Picasso or Monet. The concert was part of the ensemble’s Debussy Centenary celebrations, and I could find little to fault.
The concert began with Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp. The connection between the three performers was exceptional; the subtle eye contact was quick but meaningful to shift into the next section of the piece or to change tempo. The harp’s anchorage into a repetitious continuo part allowed the flute and viola to bounce around it, and play off against each other, effortlessly creating complementary harmonies.
Jolivet’s Sonata was performed next with poise and purpose. By changing harp performance techniques – playing the instrument traditionally, and then placing it on the ground – allowed for a harsher tone colour, adding to a spooky cauldron of music for which Jolivet aimed. When they finished the piece, watching the professionalism and strong connection between the three performers was stunning; the physical, emotional, and musical ideas ceasing so precisely.
This concert also presented the world premiere of Emile Frankel’s piece Tracecore, which was magnificent. The introduction of electronic sound and amplification was used along with the full ensemble. The piece consisted of simple melodic ideas counterbalanced with a high level of technique and intricate rhythms. Using simple foot stomps on the hardwood floors of the Salon of the MRC was clever; whilst using the artists’ abilities to hum simple drones rounded the piece into one of pure perfection.
The final piece of the concert, Bruno Mantovani’s D’Un Rêve Parti, was masterful. Each member of the ensemble investigated their instrument’s tone colour and articulation capabilities. The balance of sound was impeccable, and showed how fine-tuned each of the players are in group and solo setting alike.
Syzygy is a next-level ensemble. The musicians simply play, and blend together – all while maintaining their individuality that audiences seem to watch and love.
Image supplied.
