BWW Reviews: KEGELSTATT ENSEMBLE - REJOICE: Superbly Performed Chamber Music Gems

Reviewed by Blake Parham, Sunday 13th October 2013

The Kegelstatt Ensemble are fast becoming one of the premier chamber ensembles in Australia and, as their most recent concert proves, deservedly so. 2013 is the 100th year since the birth of probably the most well-known and well respected Polish composer of the 20th century, Witold Lutos?awski. Thus, the Kegelstatt Ensemble's concert opened with Lutos?awski's Bucolics (1952) for viola and cello and his' Subito (1992) for violin and piano. Bucolics, one of Lutos?awski's more traditional compositions, was superbly performed with very clear and warm sounds from Anna Webb (Viola) and Ewen Bramble (Cello). Lutos?awski's Subito was the stand out work of this concert as it showcased Lachlan Bramble's virtuosic violin skills and his strong stage presence, while Leigh Harrold's skills at the piano created an emotionally charged performance.

Brahms's Trio for cello, clarinet and piano (1892) was perfectly balanced between the three instruments, which created a number of rich tonal colours and superbly crafted musical phrases. This trio showcased Stephanie Wake-Dyster's smooth and warm playing of the clarinet and Harrold's attention to detail, which allowed him to produce the best possible sounds from the piano.

The second half of the concert featured Penderecki's Sextet for clarinet, horn, string trio, and piano (2000) and added the talented horn player, Sarah Barrett, to the mix of performers. This work highlighted the musicians' phenomenal ensemble skills, and their ability to interpret complex music and present it clearly to an audience.

This concert showcased the immaculate skills of the musicians which make up the Kegelstatt Ensemble. The musicians, in fact, perform so well that the only possible fault one could find with this concert is that it was too brief. I hope that we see more of the Kegelstatt Ensemble in the coming years (two concerts a year are far too few) and that in 2014 the ensemble continues to celebrate modern composers, including the forgotten and highly talented Polish composer, Andrzej Panufnik, who celebrates his centenary next year.

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