Flinders Quartet and Chris Moore perform quintessential Mendelssohn, romantic Brahms and delightful Bowman in ‘Midsummer Mendelssohn’.
William Hennessy once said that all musicians possess a little of the actor within them. This July, Flinders Quartet (FQ) takes this one step further, giving Chris Moore a dual role of playing viola and reciting Puck’s much-loved monologues. (We always knew that if Puck played an instrument, it would be the viola!) Iain Grandage, together with the quartet and Moore, reimagine Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream incidental music in a concert that will grab the imagination. As a little entrée, Moore will narrate Leunig’s poignant The Curly Pyjama Letters with Calvin Bowman’s accompanying score. Commissioned and premiered by FQ in 2012, its delightful quirkiness has struck a chord with audiences.
Juxtaposing this is the purely romantic, melodic world of Brahms. Described as a man “steeped in force”, Brahms’ G major quintet brings us back to the purity of music with musicianship of the highest order.
Praised as one of Australia’s most loved chamber ensembles, FQ continue their mission to reignite a modern passion for chamber music.
The MIDSUMMER MENDELSSOHN GALA program;
Felix Mendelssohn Arrangement of A Midsummer Night’s Dream incidental music by Iain Grandage, intertwined with text from Shakespeare’s play; Chris Moore (narrator)
Calvin Bowman The Curly Pyjama Letters; Chris Moore (narrator)
Johannes Brahms Viola Quintet No. 2 in G major Op. 111; Chris Moore (viola)
Upper Gallery, Sunday 22 July 2.30pm
Tickets: $45 adult / $35 concession
Tickets can be purchased online through the Melbourne Recital Centre here
Image credit: Flinders Quartet