The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Christmas concert Noël! Noël! Follow Your Star gives everyone on stage the chance to shine.
Several numbers including We three kings of Orient are perfectly illustrate the orchestra’s`personality’ together with their musical abilities.
There are plenty of chances for guest performer Australian soprano Bonnie de la Hunty to showcase her voice and stage charisma (as well as a number of different gowns!).
Numerous numbers also allow the wonderful Brandenburg Choir to show why it is renowned for its vocal blend and technical virtuosity.
The emphasis of this year’s program is on traditional carols with songs from Germany featuring strongly early in the program.
The cheers at the end of the concert, at Melbourne’s Recital Centre, suggested the audience truly appreciated both the work of the performers and artistic director Paul Dyer’s musical selection.
Handel’s Let the bright seraphim received some of the biggest cheers of the evening thanks to the work of de la Hunty and baroque trumpet player Leanne Sullivan.
A sparkling Christmas, a new work for string quarter by young Sydney-based composer Alex Palmer was also extremely well received. This work takes melodies from four famous Christmas carols: Ding Dong Merrily on High, Hark the Herald Angles Sing, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Joy to the World and, like the orchestra’s performance of We Three Kings, was great fun.
Adding to the`fun’ vibe was Brandenburg Dyer’s ever enthusiastic conducting and performance on the harpsichord.
These orchestral numbers together with those carols I have grown up loving such as Silent Night, O Come All Year Faithful and White Christmas were my program highlights.
For my companion hearing `new old works’ was a treat together with O Holy Night.
As is the case of all Brandenburg Orchestra concerts, it’s the chance to hear your favourite music together with `new discoveries’ presented with great energy and enthusiasm which makes Noël! Noël! such an enjoyable concert.
The Australian Brandenburg is performing Noël! Noël! Follow Your Star at various locations around New South Wales until December 19 . For more information visit the Australian Brandenburg website or ring 02 93287581.
*Photo credit: Steven Godbee.
Jenny Burns attended the Melbourne concert as a guest of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
- Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
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This sounds lovely !
I wonder if the Brandenburg performs at Geelong? Would love to hear them live.
HI Glenda, it was indeed a beautiful concert. Don’t think the do perform at Geelong but usually their Sunday concerts start early so maybe a trip to the Recital Centre could be on the cards next year!