BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
The young singers of Perth’s Giovanni Consort will return to the Renaissance this May in their first concert of the year, A Spanish Twist.
Led by renowned conductor Warren Trevelyan-Jones, the program boasts a variety of original Renaissance compositions by Josquin des Prez and Carlo Gesualdo, along with works inspired by the period including 21st Century Australian compositions by Brooke Shelley and Joseph Twist.
The centuries that exist between the works provide evidence of the style’s longevity and popularity. But how does a musician approach a program containing both early vocal music and 21st Century composition?
“In all the 20th Century and contemporary compositions selected in the Spanish Twist program, the composers were inspired by and pay homage to their forbears by basing their compositions on the works of the great masters,” Warren says.
“They make direct reference to them in matters of style, structure and even down to references to and the quotation of specific thematic material – paying ultimate respect and honour yet forging their own distinctive style.”
“I therefore think that it is entirely appropriate to approach the contemporary pieces in exactly the same as one would approach their Renaissance sources of inspiration.”
Joseph Twist and Brooke Shelley are hundreds of years and thousands of miles away from where this music originated. But, minor quibbles aside, the influence of Europe’s historical style is deep set in their works.
Warren attributes the authenticity of their works to “a thorough knowledge and love and of the style from a composer’s perspective, as well as an inside knowledge and understanding of the repertoire acquired from being immersed in it as performers.” Pretty impressive, hey?
Warren himself has quite the history with early music ensembles, having performed regularly with international ensembles including Orchestra of the Renaissance, The Kings Consort, and La Chapelle Royale of Paris – to name a few. He describes his personal connection with the music of this time as an intimate one.
“Having being involved in Anglican Choral tradition for much of my life, I feel part of a musical tradition that has been unbroken for hundreds of years, and which therefore links directly the music of Renaissance times and earlier with the present day,” Warren explains.
“So much sacred music of the 16th Century, for example, is as relevant today as it was then, still belonging to and being an integral part of the context for which it was written. I find that bond irresistible – the fact that these works have survived, are performed on a regular basis and still bring enjoyment to listeners today is testament to the quality of so much early music repertoire.”
The Head of Music at Sydney’s St James’ Church and co-director of the Consort of Melbourne certainly has a lot of passion to share with those under his baton. Working with younger groups such as the Giovanni Consort, he enjoys the chance to demonstrate his beliefs about the inner workings of music itself.
“More than anything else, I believe singing is an incredibly powerful form of communication. It has the power to move people in all sorts of ways. I love to draw this out of performers – to help them get inside the text and the musical language to be more effective communicators, and at the same time to facilitate their own enjoyment of making music together.”
“I love to witness the therapeutic effect this can have on performer as well as listener. If I can assist or facilitate that process in any way, I will feel as though I have achieved something worthwhile.”
The Giovanni Consort will perform A Spanish Twist on May 16 at 7.30pm in the Perth Town Hall. For the full program and tickets go to www.giovanniconsort.com.
Image supplied.
