BY CELINE CHONG, LEAD WRITER (QLD)
Canberra is something of a hidden gem amongst Australia’s capital cities. But come May, the city’s rich arts and culture scene will come alive – and it will have everyone talking.
Held annually, the Canberra International Music Festival brings together some of the best artists from across Australia and the world for 10 days and more than 20 concerts of extraordinary music. (You’re about to hear from some of these very performers, too.)
This year, it’ll be held from 2-12 May. You won’t want to miss it so, as we explore the program, here are six reasons to get yourself to Canberra (and six young artists to look out for while you’re there!).
1. The festival will be all about Bach, and Kristian Winther will show us how it’s done.
Kristian Winther is making his mark on the Australian string scene, and the superstar violinist will be performing all (yes, ALL) of Bach’s works for solo violin.
Spread across two concerts on the same day (this one, and this one), it’ll be a rare chance to witness an artist’s personal journey through an entire body of repertoire and immerse yourself in the world of Bach.
2. It’s not just the violinists who get all the fun. Have Bach and breakfast (at the same time!) with cellist Miles Mullin-Chivers.
Young cellist Miles Mullin-Chivers is one to watch out for. And he’ll be returning to CIMF for the third year running. This time? With Bach’s third Cello Suite under his belt.
Miles will be playing in the festival’s morning series Bach for Breakfast. Great food and great music – there’s no better start to a day in Canberra.
“I’m looking forward to CIMF because of its amazing atmosphere and wonderful sense of community, created by the artists, audience and billets. One of my most favourite parts of CIMF is its incredibly attentive and knowledgeable audience. I’ve never played for such a present and respectful audience, and the experience is truly electrifying and rewarding.”
– Miles Mullin-Chivers
3. There will be plenty of unique concerts to explore, and guitarist Callum Henshaw will play an intimate live performance at the historic Gorman House.
Callum Henshaw is leading the charge for young Australian guitarists. He’ll perform Agustín Barrios’ work Una Limosnita por el Amor de Dios (‘Alms for the Love of God’) in Up Close at Gorman House, a concert experience using the copious of historic spaces in the house.
But be quick – singled out as “the festival’s most intimate experience”, each room is designed for a maximum of 20 audience members!
“I will be performing as brand new work by Australian composer Christopher Sainsbury as part of an ensemble. I’m looking forward to the CIMF, as I do every year, because it keeps you warm as Canberra starts to get cold!”
– Callum Henshaw
4. It’s not only Bach on the program – young composers will also share the spotlight. Enter Ella Macens.
Award-winning composer Ella Macens is a fresh musical voice amongst young Australians, having worked with schools, choirs, orchestras – you name it. Inspired by her Latvian heritage and culture, she’s working to incorporate and celebrate her culture through her music, and what better place to do just that than at CIMF?
Ella’s new work for saxophone quartet will also be performed at Up Close at Gorman House.
“Last year, [artistic director] Roland Peelman kindly invited me to create a new work for the sonic.art saxophone quartet to be premiered in CIMF 2019. I had never written for saxophone before, and so this was a really exciting challenge! I have been in brief contact with the quartet via email as they reside in Germany, and am really looking forward to arriving in Canberra just in time to meet them for quick rehearsal before the festival performance. I have also never attended CIMF, and so am really excited to explore every nook and cranny of the festival and its program.”
– Ella Macens
5. And don’t forget the (incredibly) multi-genre composer Jess Green.
With a style that encompasses all styles, the sky is the limit for Australian composer Jess Green.
Her compositions have bridged the worlds of jazz, pop, indie-rock, and experimental music. This year at CIMF, she’s showcasing two of her songs at Sunset Serenade, which will be performed by Tobias Cole.
Oh, and did we mention that it’s free?
6. Finally, experience the grandeur of the organ with up-and-coming young organist Jonathan Lee.
There’s nothing else like Bach’s music. There’s also nothing like hearing it played on a beautiful organ, and young organist Jonathan Lee experiences this magic every day.
Before he heads to the United Kingdom as Hereford Cathedral’s newest organ scholar, Jonathan – along with Australia’s leading choral artists – bring four of Bach’s mighty choral works to life.
It’s the final concert of the festival, Testament, and there couldn’t be an experience more quintessentially Bach.
“With the organ being Bach’s primary instrument, I’m excited to be involved in this year’s CIMF playing three organs as part of three festival concerts: the Rendall organ at St Andrew’s Anglican Church (Braidwood), the Smenge organ at Canberra Girls’ Grammar Chapel, and a chamber organ at the Fitters’ Workshop. Carefully chosen to suit the specific tonal colours and design of each instrument, I will play a variety of Bach’s great organ works ranging from a ‘Gloria’ and a ‘Ten Commandments’ from Clavier-Übung III, a brilliant canon from The Art of Fugue, and the exhilarating Prelude in G major BWV 541.”
– Jonathan Lee
Check out the full program at the Canberra International Music Festival website. Tickets are now on sale for events between 2-12 May.
You’ll also be able to grab a copy of our print magazine (CutCommon issue #2) for FREE when you drop into the Fitters’ Workshop for a show!
CutCommon is proud to team up with CIMF for this story to showcase these talented young musicians and composers in Australia! Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s festival?
Images: Canberra International Music Festival.
