Sally Cameron, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie, Edward Fairlie and Kaichiro Kitamua (not pictured) are The Idea of North. Photograph via Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
The MSO’s Christmas concert this year was touted as a world of Christmas. And a world is what we got. The MSO and special guests The Idea of North took the audience around the globe from England to Puerto Rico, from Russia to West Africa and from the Caribbean to Ireland. From a range of talented performers – four singers, a narrator, a vocal percussionist and of course our own world class orchestra – we were treated to carols in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Catalan and Susu, as well as orchestral classics from Britten and Prokofiev and a beautiful arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’.
Hamer Hall was bedazzled with a Christmas wreath and tastefully strewn fairy lights. Warm colourful lighting and snowflake projections created a festive atmosphere. Even the stage hands wore Santa hats. The MSO – who never fail to be impressive in their home of Hamer Hall, seemed to be enjoying themselves playing a little outside their usual classical repertoire. There were saxophone and double bass solos and an impressive and intriguing array of percussion instruments, including, of course, sleigh bells.
Vocal quartet The Idea of North delivered their entertaining trademark of smooth harmonies, humour and clever programming. Soprano Sally Cameron, alto and musical director Naomi Crellin, tenor Nick Begbie and Baritone Edward Fairlie have been singing together for the past twenty-three years and it shows with their easy familiarity and polished performances. Although their voices were at times overwhelmed by the orchestra, this was more of technical sound issue than a performance one. They were joined on the night by vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura. Kai was a treat – an unexpected find in the stocking. He was lost in the mix of the full orchestra to begin with but came into his own when he joined the foursome at the front of the stage, demonstrating his astounding talents to a receptive audience. As well as the drums he also provided sound effects of a Melbourne metro train, an aeroplane and a vacuum cleaner.
Highlights of the evening were Prokofiev’s Bonfire Suite – a beautifully spirited piece narrated by former ABC Classic FM host Eddie Ayers; the joyous Guinean carol Kiris Bara Bari – especially when members of the orchestra joined in the singing; the swingingly sultry Puerto Rican De Tierra Lejana Venimos; and of course the climax of the evening – the twisted take on tradition: Not Quite the Night before Christmas. The latter taking us on a satirical, environmentally conscious, tongue in cheek journey accompanied by some cleverly re-written lyrics and narrated by an unfaltering Ayers.
Top marks to MSO’s associate conductor Ben Northey for his seamless agility in conducting not only the orchestra but the singers and a narrator behind him.
The evening was entertaining above all else, full of good music, humour and fun. It can sometimes seem at this time of year that Australia is far away from the rest of the world’s idea of Christmas, so it was a good reminder just how close we all are to each other. It was a great way to welcome in Christmas Week.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
MSO + The Idea of North: A World of Christmas
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Benjamin Northey
Narrator: Eadric Ayers
The Idea of North
Soprano: Sally Cameron
Alto: Naomi Crellin
Tenor: Nick Begbie
Bass: Edward Fairlie
Vocal Percussion & Baritone: Kaichiro Kitamua
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
17 December 2016
The MSO’s Christmas concert with special gues the Idea of North this year was touted as a world of Christmas. And a world is what we got. The MSO produced a show that took the audience around the globe from England to Puerto Rico, from Russia to West Africa, and from the Caribbean to Ireland, as well as orchestral classics from Britten and Prokofiev and a beautiful arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’. From a range of talented performers – four singers, a narrator, a vocal percussionist and of course our own world class orchestra – we were treated to carols in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Catalan and Susu.
Hamer Hall was bedazzled with a Christmas wreath and tastefully strewn fairy lights. Warm colourful lighting and snowflake projections created a festive atmosphere. Even the stage hands wore Santa hats. The MSO – who never fail to be impressive in their home of Hamer Hall, seemed to be enjoying themselves playing a little outside their usual classical repertoire. There were saxophone and double bass solos and an impressive and intriguing array of percussion instruments, including, of course, sleigh bells.
Vocal quartet The Idea of North delivered their entertaining trademark of smooth harmonies, humour and clever programming. Soprano Sally Cameron, alto and musical director Naomi Crellin, tenor Nick Begbie and Baritone Edward Fairlie have been singing together for the past twenty-three years and it shows with their easy familiarity and polished performances. Although their voices were at times overwhelmed by the orchestra, this was more of technical sound issue than a performance one. They were joined on the night by vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura. Kai was a treat – an unexpected find in the stocking. He was lost in the mix of the full orchestra to begin with but came into his own when he joined the foursome at the front of the stage, demonstrating his astounding talents to a receptive audience. As well as the drums he also provided sound effects of a Melbourne metro train, an aeroplane and a vacuum cleaner.
Highlights of the evening were Prokofiev’s Bonfire Suite – a beautifully spirited piece narrated by former ABC Classic FM host Eddie Ayers; the joyous Guinean carol Kiris Bara Bari – especially when members of the orchestra joined in the singing; the swingingly sultry Puerto Rican De Tierra Lejana Venimos; and of course the climax of the evening – the twisted take on tradition: Not Quite the Night before Christmas. The latter taking us on a satirical, environmentally conscious, tongue in cheek journey accompanied by some cleverly re-written lyrics and narrated by an unfaltering Ayers.
Top marks to MSO’s associate conductor Ben Northey for his seamless agility in conducting not only the orchestra but the singers and a narrator behind him.
The evening was entertaining above all else, full of good music, humour and fun. It can sometimes seem at this time of year that Australia is far away from the rest of the world’s idea of Christmas, so it was a good reminder just how close we all are to each other. It was a great way to welcome in Christmas Week.
The MSO’s Christmas concert with special gues the Idea of North this year was touted as a world of Christmas. And a world is what we got. The MSO produced a show that took the audience around the globe from England to Puerto Rico, from Russia to West Africa, and from the Caribbean to Ireland, as well as orchestral classics from Britten and Prokofiev and a beautiful arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’. From a range of talented performers – four singers, a narrator, a vocal percussionist and of course our own world class orchestra – we were treated to carols in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Catalan and Susu.
Hamer Hall was bedazzled with a Christmas wreath and tastefully strewn fairy lights. Warm colourful lighting and snowflake projections created a festive atmosphere. Even the stage hands wore Santa hats. The MSO – who never fail to be impressive in their home of Hamer Hall, seemed to be enjoying themselves playing a little outside their usual classical repertoire. There were saxophone and double bass solos and an impressive and intriguing array of percussion instruments, including, of course, sleigh bells.
Vocal quartet The Idea of North delivered their entertaining trademark of smooth harmonies, humour and clever programming. Soprano Sally Cameron, alto and musical director Naomi Crellin, tenor Nick Begbie and Baritone Edward Fairlie have been singing together for the past twenty-three years and it shows with their easy familiarity and polished performances. Although their voices were at times overwhelmed by the orchestra, this was more of technical sound issue than a performance one. They were joined on the night by vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura. Kai was a treat – an unexpected find in the stocking. He was lost in the mix of the full orchestra to begin with but came into his own when he joined the foursome at the front of the stage, demonstrating his astounding talents to a receptive audience. As well as the drums he also provided sound effects of a Melbourne metro train, an aeroplane and a vacuum cleaner.
Highlights of the evening were Prokofiev’s Bonfire Suite – a beautifully spirited piece narrated by former ABC Classic FM host Eddie Ayers; the joyous Guinean carol Kiris Bara Bari – especially when members of the orchestra joined in the singing; the swingingly sultry Puerto Rican De Tierra Lejana Venimos; and of course the climax of the evening – the twisted take on tradition: Not Quite the Night before Christmas. The latter taking us on a satirical, environmentally conscious, tongue in cheek journey accompanied by some cleverly re-written lyrics and narrated by an unfaltering Ayers.
Top marks to MSO’s associate conductor Ben Northey for his seamless agility in conducting not only the orchestra but the singers and a narrator behind him.
The evening was entertaining above all else, full of good music, humour and fun. It can sometimes seem at this time of year that Australia is far away from the rest of the world’s idea of Christmas, so it was a good reminder just how close we all are to each other. It was a great way to welcome in Christmas Week.
