ACO Tiny Desk Concert: Short Video

If you have a spare 15 minutes this is a video well worth checking out!

A quartet of ACO musicians (Richard Tognetti, Helena Rathbone, Christopher Moore and Timo-Veikko Valve) perform around a desk at the National Public Radio office in the USA. They play some Ravel and are joined by Joseph Tawadros on the oud for an Egyptian-Classical piece.

Click here to see the ACO Tiny Desk Concert.

Richard Tognetti on the Washington Trip

Washington D.C. in 4 nights: 2 radio performances, 3 interviews, 2 evening concerts in the Kennedy Center and 48 hours of travel.

Writing this sitting on the plane going home, up the front (NO! NOT FANCY CLASS). Squashed like sardines - at least sardines all smell the same, do they to other sardines? On that line of thought do anchovies smell like anchovies to other anchovies? Can’t believe how many people they squeeze into these U.S. airlines to get us from the East to the West coast, with no food, and depriving us even of wine through prohibitive costs. Can’t help comparing this most unfavourably to our own Perth to Sydney “red-eye” special. Considering it’s only 4 hours less than a trip to Singapore it’s pretty low standard considering we’re in the self-proclaimed “service” capital of the world.

Once on the international sector we enter into a zombie land. I am jealous of those zombies around me who can fall asleep; but then I get to watch a year’s worth of T.V. and movies in one stretch.

In the Loop is a deliciously vicious, biting satire of a movie focusing on political advisers in the lead up to the Bush/Cheney war. Made by Androo Iannucci, a well-known figure in the U.K. and almost unheard of here in Oz.

Then followed a documentary on cross dressing husbands complete with a lovely corpulent normal Norm with a Scottish accent who loves to discover his inner being by dressing up as a woman. There was nothing particularly new in this - but tender and affecting.

That pales into the perfectly understandable compared with Men who love dolls. A doco on men who commission life size dolls with whom they live and love - emotionally and physically!

The funniest was also the most thought provoking - The WI And The Search For The Perfect Brothel.

Prostitution in England is still illegal in 2009! Some want this changed including two prim, elderly ladies who are members of the W.I.(Women's Institute), boasting 205,000 members. These two classic, mature ladies (if they were cars, think old Rovers) took it upon themselves to better the conditions for working ladies in their home country through hands on investigative reporting. They travelled to Amsterdam and posed in the glass booths (to get a view from the inside), they went to Nevada to meet some legal hookers at the Bunny Ranch whorehouse and finished up in N.Z. to speak with some self-employed ladies in the land of the long white cloud. On their return home they rented a mini-bus and set up a mobile brothel and armed with a petition they delivered it and their persuasive argument to parliament. Exceptional viewing. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1039152/Not-quite-jam-Jerusalem-Womens-Institute-ladies-toured-world-search-perfect-brothel.html#ixzz0VNN95E2A

Next up was Joe Simpson’s Touching the Void sequel The Beckoning Silence, whereby he retraces the ascent and shocking descent of one of the pioneer mountain climbers of the infamous and dreaded north face of the Eiger mountain in the Berner Oberland in Switzerland. You may remember Joe Simpson as the climber who fell into a Peruvian crevasse in Touching the Void (book and movie).

Before cramming on-plane entertainment, we presented two concerts, one “regular” including Bartok’s Divertimento, Handel, Vine etc. The second was our Travellers program with Joseph and James Tawadros. These concerts were our contribution to the mini Oz Festival “Australia Presents” (thanks to Ambassador Denis Richardson and his team). Incidentally, the Ambassador’s wife Betty comes from Wollongong.

We collated a distinctive mixture of music with a focus on Joseph’s music. It deserves to be heard around the world. Why? It spectacularly represents the modern world of derivative-cultural expression. Joe was born in Egypt and emigrated to Australia aged 2.

We were worried about keeping Joseph’s, shall we say, verbal entertainment to a minimum, for a crowd unfamiliar with Oz/Arabic humour. He is a comedic collaborator with Akmal Saleh (Akmal.com.au) after all.

Joseph is a Coptic Christian. What defines a Coptic Christian? Academically, the Copts are part of the “communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three ecumenical councils”. Ethnically, they comprise the largest collection of Christians in the Arabic world.

It comes as little surprise to learn that not all is well between the Christian Arabs of Egypt and the dominant Muslims. This is from the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Website:

Government Positions and Employment 

Egypt’s Coptic community is poorly represented in the higher levels of government, in the military and in senior teaching positions. Out of 28 Egyptian governors, none are Christian and there are no Christian ambassadors, heads of universities or deans. The country’s People’s Assembly contains just seven Copts, only three of whom are elected — a gross under-representation.
Education
Coptic Christians are not able to attend the famous Al-Azhar University in Cairo. The Coptic language is not taught at Universities and the Coptic era in Egyptian history has been omitted in school history lessons, until this year, where it has been taught in state schools for the first time. The Koran is often used to teach the Arabic language to students, including Christians, and Arabic language teachers are Muslim. Every school has a mosque, but no similar places of prayer exist for Christians.
Naturally, Joseph identifies with Oz-Arabs (Islamic) and hence his humour can fall foul of politically correct society. In his solo gig in the Festival Maribor last year, he told the audience he hoped they would come to his orchestral concert, which would fall on 9.11. He assured them it would be an explosive gig! JOE!!! Bad taste, Joe. The Governor of NSW who was in attendance was not impressed. It’s just irrepressible Joe I assured her. I suffered a similar response when he explained to a packed hall in Brisbane that the listener during the Tarab (the improvised section in his compositions) is meant to enter into a state of ecstasy. He followed with “I know you think that’s what I sell”. Bad taste, Joe.

This is the man of the non-stop pickup line. To one of our new recruits Maddie Boud: We’re made for each, what with ‘oud in your name. And to another a txt: Dinner, movie? The Sultan!

So we kept him verbally silent (until the encore). But he couldn’t help telling ridiculous jokes before going on stage. What do you call a bee that expresses milk? A boobee.

But ha, that’s just all on the surface. As soon as he starts playing, all humour is wiped away and a powerful and overwhelmingly strong musical presence is revealed.

How does it work with an orchestra?

Joe wrote the solo oud part and then we worked together to formulate these arrangements for strings. We had loosely in mind the notion of an Egyptian string orchestra, whereby the strings are part of the call and response, often with a tutti section offering an improvised response. Our arrangements don’t allow for tutti improvisations, which begs for a type of chaos that might simply be too much for a classical ear. But we do always have an impro section before the reprise of the main theme, featuring Max on bass, Joe, RT on violin and James on Req. It is in this section that we try to enter into a state of Tarab.

Joseph’s themes are always sturdy, both rhythmically and melodically and they provide a fecund environment for embellishment, development and arrangement. He’s a truly gifted composer and once he starts playing I have a feeling a lot of girls acquiesce to this implausible and preposterous character (we all so love and respect).

As for brother James on Req (tambourine), just think the opposite to the curved outlandish Joseph. James is taciturn, intellectual (studying medical science) respectful and verging on shy. The aggregate of the two are a Laurel and Hardy archetype of opposites creating a complementary whole. James’ playing defies category. All I can say is that percussionists have been known to sit in the front row with gaped jaw wondering how the hell he produces what he does with a few fingers on a tambourine. Both of them bring a warmth and musicianship rarely felt on the concert hall platform and I wish we could get more currency presenting them on the world stage.

We have produced a CD of ACO and the Tawadros bro’s but as yet haven’t found a distributor. Any ideas are welcome. Perhaps we should just release it on iTunes.

New York Times Review

New York Times Music Review | Australian Chamber Orchestra

A Group That Doesn’t Sit, Adding Bounce to Haydn

By STEVE SMITH
May 4, 2009

The Australian Chamber Orchestra is not the only ensemble whose members perform standing up, but it is one of the few for which the posture seems to make a difference. Hearing the group perform on Sunday night at Zankel Hall, you could easily believe that its kinetic, precise and engaging playing was simply too exuberant to be bottled up by sitting down. Read more

Carnegie Hall Review

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, N.Y.; May 3, 2009

The Australian Chamber Orchestra's concert this evening at Carnegie Hall's Zankel auditorium took place simultaneously with an appearance by Bernard Haitink and the Chicago Symphony in the big hall. While the latter will probably get most of the post-concert press, I somehow suspect the more satisfying musical experience took place in the small hall, literally "down under" the larger one. This is a superb ensemble by any standard, and the program was excellently chosen: Haydn's Symphony No. 44 "Mourning," Roger Smalley's "Footwork," six Handel arias, and music director Richard Tognetti's own transcription for string orchestra of Czech composer Pavel Haas' magnificent Second String Quartet "From the Monkey Mountains." Read more.

David Hurwitz
Classics Today

Down Under Delight Meets Uplifting Voice

Review
Down Under delight meets uplifting voice
By Kyle MacMillan
Denver Post Fine Arts Critic
5 May 2009

While Australia is not exactly the first country that comes to mind in terms of classical music, the Australian Chamber Orchestra has distinguished itself internationally for much of its 34-year history.

During a visit Thursday evening to Gates Concert Hall as part of the Newman Center Presents series, the ensemble impressed again with its technical brilliance, laser focus and all-out intensity.

Indeed, its performance ranks among the most memorable of the season. Read more.

Reviews from the US tour

Chamber Music Today
Listen to that, will you?” the person next to me could not help but say to me during the intermission. “Have you ever heard an ensemble so in-tune? or so ‘tight’, rhythmically? Each section is playing like they were one person!” Read more.

Kansascity.com
Sometimes less is more. By its very definition, the Australian Chamber Orchestra fits the mold with fewer players than a symphony orchestra. Read more.

Fire&Air
The first impression the orchestra made on me when they came out was that with only a few exceptions, they were all awfully fair. I suppose that makes sense for Australians, but if they are typical of their countrymen, they must use a lot of sunscreen Down Under. Read more.

ACO plays to packed house in La Jolla, San Diego

L to R Brielle Clapson, Melissa Barnard & Neal Peres Da Costa



Rehearsal at St James by-the-Sea Church

The ACO’s tour of the United States has officially started and while it might not be possible for everyone back home to travel with us, we hope that over the coming week this blog will give you an insight into the adventures, joys and tribulations of this exciting adventure.

The tour kicked off with a memorably ride on the new Airbus A380, a first for the orchestra and after 14 hours in the air we found ourselves in sunny La Jolla, just outside San Diego.

After a day of rest to get adjusted to the times zones it was straight into our first concert with Paul Lewis at the St-James Church by the Sea. As the name suggests, this church is only steps from the ocean and at this time of year, dolphins and seals flock to the coast line making it an idyllic setting for a Sunday afternoon concert.

The concert itself has set the benchmark high for the rest of the tour as the ACO played to a packed house and to great applause (an encore wasn’t an option, if we didn’t play one they wouldn’t have let us out of the church). Paul Lewis played beautifully and admitted after the concert that this was the first time that he had played a concerto without a conductor and that it was also the concert debut of this particular Mozart Concerto.

Today we head back up to Los Angeles to rehearse with Andreas Scholl at Disney Hall before our concert there tomorrow night.

Richard Tognetti on the April 2009 ACO US Tour

USA 07

Leaving New York City is always a let down. To have the best of the urban world in such pumping high density infuses even the most suburban person with a sense of awe. The drive out from NYC through Queens and the outlying suburban mess is depressingly enervating.

The audience response in Carnegie Hall ( Zankel Hall ) was gratifying (unlike the acoustics) and we played Debussy and Walton as encores.

Melissa Barnard, Tipi, Pieter Wispelwey and co. are on a cello trying-out frenzy. Instruments by Vuillaume, Grancino, Gasparo da Salò (1542-1609) amongst others vying for their love and appraisal. Very interesting to hear all the different attributes in a piece of wood and how it can really change the way people play. It’s also different to note how, like with wine, people can be persuaded by the pedigree of a name hence it’s best to have blind tastings. Steven Isserlis haughtily claims that he’s not interested in instruments but rather by how people play them…mmm!

The violinists are going mad trying out different bows. A Kittel (turns out to be a fake) and Peccattes. All very frustrating chasing one’s tail.

Stumbled into Gordon Ramsey’s The London restaurant. The nastiest man on TV is an elegant chef and for $16 you could get taster plates after the concert with not many people and exemplary service. Amazingly it’s not too expensive AND unlike Sydney, NYC restaurants are open late!! No doubt the full dining experience is something else and this reviewer let go with the barbs. http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/insatiable/24994/

Cellist Julian Thompson is late for the bus out of NYC and can’t be awakened by phone, or repeated knocking on the door, so Damien (orch manager) has to get security to break into his room - and there the little lamb is sleeping off his martinis. Reeking of vodka we howl abuse at people late for buses. Shame on you Prisoner Thompson. HA. I’ll post a photo later.

Apr 25, 2007

What a relief to be in the north east. Boston, now the ACO’s favourite US city, has saved the tour. It boasts Jordan Hall (where we played) and over the road Symphony Hall where expat Tony Fog runs the Boston Symphony and Tanglewood. Jordan is a vibrant, golden hall (capacity about 1000) with acoustics to match. Let’s put our chin out and say it’s the finest small hall in the world. Dawn Upshaw was in the audience. Can’t wait for her to return to Oz with ACO (fairly soon).

Boston concert went really well. We adapted our sound for the resonance of the hall – esp. in Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence which can blow out the speakers (so to speak) if you over play it in such an acoustic. The early music sounded resplendent and it’s a relief not having to push the sound.

Caught up with great friend Ben Zander who took RT out to Walnut Hill performing arts high school for an energetic 3 hours of masterclasses with Ben’s contagious energy inspiring 150 of the country’s most talented high school age music students.

Apr 16 2007

Strip mall madness is everywhere here in the south. Trying to be positive about this country, but hard to find anything but midriff stupidity at the moment. The Suicide Bomber at Virginia Tech. hit when we were in Georgia. No debate, no introspection only more empty self-serving praying. John McCain (Sen R) who sang on the news Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran to the sound of Beach Boys. He also said that ANY POLITICIAN who tries to enter into debate about gun control will be R.E.T. retired.

65,000 injuries and 30,000 deaths per anum and they don’t want to fix the problem. Just being near a gun scares the crap out of me. With such a massive gun problem and all the politicians can do is mindlessly invoke the second amendment : “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. We must be worried by predictions that America’s population will be 400 million by 2040.

Yes! Everyone is bitching about the food, the obesity, the guns, the war, the arrogance, the T.V., the super-powerness. Of course there are INCREDIBLE things in the USA, but if you put yourself up as a superpower then expect the rest of the world to have high standards.

Pasadena California.
“As I was gearing up to emailing my good friend Penny Arcade in New York, this message from L.A came through. Penny is one of the original and most astonishing performance artists. She became famous in Sydney in the early ‘90s with her show Bitch Dyke Fag Hag Whore.

Dear Richard

Chris and I are in LA. Last night we went to dinner at the house of Billy Hayes and Wendy West - friends of mine for nearly 30 years. Billy Hayes was the guy who wrote the story (and lived it) Midnight Express about his bust for hashish smuggling, 5 years in Turkish prison and his daring escape from Turkish Prison.

We started talking about Shantaram, obviously a story he has a lot in common with, and I brought your name up. Suddenly Billy says "ACO???" Australian Chamber Orchestra??? Hey I just drove a double bass and two cellos out to Santa Fe for them!" They are playing in Pasadena today!

When he is not acting, or playing poker for a living, he does some long distance driving for the company that delivered your instruments. He gave me Damien Low, your road manager’s cell phone. I called last night while you guys were playing about 9pm. If he is a good road manager he will have delivered my message to you and he will call me with details this morning. Naturally we want to see you and hear you.”

Damien Low is a good road manager – the best – and he did pass on the message. Met up with Penny and was stoked to receive this amazing coincidence. Unfortunately we had our phones off during dinner as Billy was trying to meet up with us. Synchronicity or what?

Now we’re in Daytona Beach, Florida overlooking the Atlantic with dribbly little waves coming in. Last night was the Virginia massacre. Bush is praying for the victims and defending his country’s defenceless gun culture – you know how it is: People Kill People Not Guns. Where was your good Lord during the shooting, George? Why is he going to come out now and offer you comfort?

Everywhere you travel, you absorb something of the place you’re in. …

When it comes to energy saving, this country is not changing its habits in any ostensible way. At airports fast food outlets help to further oversize the consumer, they have few if any recycling bins and the packaging is unbelievably wasteful and redundant.

Like its inhabitants the cars appear larger than ever, and few people appear genuinely disturbed by the consequence of continuing down this unsustainable route. America – it’s up to you to lead the way. Tell your citizens to shape up and the rest of the world will follow.

Playing in Santa Fe was a refreshing experience. Nowhere have we seen so many art galleries. At an altitude just under the highest point of Kosciusko, Santa Fe’s air is dry and in April, still bracing. It even started to snow as we were leaving. The hall was similarly dry in acoustic, but they enhanced with a bit of “luxury” as we call it – indeed we were given an electronic 3 sec. delay.

For those too short-sighted to see the worth of bringing the Sydney Opera House up to the standard it should be believing it to be a waste of money should get out and about and see what they’ve done to MOMA in NYC and what they’re about to do to Alice Tully Hall alone - the latter costing US$700 million. It is these iconic buildings that make a city. We only have one in Sydney – let’s at least get it right after all these years. Come on land of sport and beer!