Winter music school hits high notes

Artistic Director Paul Dean rang me last year and invited me to be his plus one at the 2009 Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Awards night. Southern Cross Soloists had been nominated for their Winter Music School for the most outstanding contribution to Australian music and education. To my dismay I was unable to make the event, which was made even worse when Paul text me to say they'd be pick up the award. 

They returned to Rockhampton last week for their 2010 SunWater & Stanwell Winter Music School, award in tow, and have attracted record numbers and it's biggest program date. This morning Paul and students spoke with ABC Capricornia breakfast presenter Jacquie Mackay: http://blogs.abc.net.au/files/jm---winter-music-school-pkge.mp3

A side of Simon not widley known, until now...

I recall the first time Simon and I met five years ago... i was told two things before our meeting; Simon was a child prodigy with a remarkable talent for playing the piano, yet he was approachable and non-elitist. To me this seemed a little 'yin and yang', but upon meeting Simon I realised this was an apt description. Simon spoke of performing on the Opera House stage aged 9 and meeting and performing for Pavarotti aged 13, yet he was as equally excited to tell me about his shows at the local RSL's. So I wasn't surprised when Simon sent me a video of him performing in Cambodia, on a make-shift piano, swatting bugs in-between movements (see video below). This trip and performance was for one of the many charities that Simon is involved with.  

Here he spoke with The Australian newspaper about such charity work and what it means to him: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/simon-tedeschi-hearing-a-different-beat/story-e6frg8n6-1225885716673

Are we all just big kids playing games...?

Last week Yaeli Ohana spoke to Andrew Taylor, Culture Editor for The Sun Herald about the inspiration for her latest exhibition and her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/playing-around-with-conflict-20100619-ynwp.html

And last night she opened her exhibition to great success - the gallery was filled with buzzing conversation and a number of happy people who snapped up one of Yaeli's amazing works.

Sydney-based artist Yaeli Ohana talks to AJN TV ahead of her opening...

Games We Play, Yaeli Ohana's latest exhibition, opens next Tuesday at NG Art Gallery and is definitely worth a look-see. Check out her Australian Jewish News TV interview below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4t0Y_IvGDI

 

 

Simon Tedeschi tackles Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1

It's been over ten years since we’ve seen the virtuosic talents of Simon Tedeschi on-stage with the Sydney Symphony, but last night audiences once again had the opportunity to relish in Simon’s agility performing classical repertoire, when he performed Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1, a work known for its comic undertones, juxtaposed with deep tragedy and vulnerability.

To read what the reviewers thought click below for

Cumberland Newspapers:

http://nine-to-five.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/mozart-and-the-happiness-quota/

Sydney Morning Herald:

http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?multiview=true&sy=smh&page=1&kw=simon+tedeschi++&pb=smh&dt=selectRange&dr=week&so=relevance&sf=article&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&hids=&sids=SMH100612AO7L55IL19J

Pianist Simon Tedeschi returns to Sydney...

It was a flying visit back to Sydney, but I managed to squeeze every last minute out of Simon's schedule for talks with media, including a catch-up chat with  
2GB's Alan Jones. Click on this link to listen in: http://podcasts.2gb.com/alanjones/alanjonestedeschi030610.mp3

Below are articles in the (sydney) magazine and Sydney Morning Herald's GOOD WEEKEND magazine:

ASQ score a welcome review from The Australian

I always look forward to seeing the girls perform and this concert was especially exciting as it was my first time seeing them perform with baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Beautifully programed and expertly performed. The Australian newspaper seemed to agree:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/revamped-song-cycle-explores-new-heights/story-e6frg8po-1225872246017

Baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes on tour with Australian String Quartet

The arts calendar was treated when the Australian String Quartet and acclaimed baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes joined forces for a national tour, Songs of Travel – Gala Concert, during May and June. For the Quartet this tour marked a first-time subscription series with a bass-baritone. For Teddy it was a clear sign he was expanding his artistic voice with new projects and collaborations. 

 

Before arriving back in Sydney, from Washington, Teddy kindly answered a few 'personal' questions for GOOD WEEKEND magazine. When asked what his most humiliating moment was… 'Too many personally, but career wise, being thrown from my horse while singing Escamillo in performance in front of 5000 people. Actually, in hindsight it was funny'.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Northey heads to London...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After his critically acclaimed performance of  Stravinsky’s Symphony in C with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)  in 2007, as part of the prestigious Allianz International Conductors’ Academy,  Melbourne-based conductor Benjamin Northey has been invited back to conduct a  series concert with the LPO on Friday 7 May 2010.  

 

Hear him talking with Jon Faine on ABC Radio's Conversation Hour about the importance of such an invitation, what it means to carve a successful music career in  Australia, the importance of exposing Australian music to the world and what it means to be a 21st century conductor: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/04/23/2881530.htm 

He also spoke with John Mangan, seen in today's The Sunday Age:
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/conductor-scores-a-hit-on-londons-centre-stage-20100424-tkl3.html

 

 

Tiny artist isn't short on talent

Sinewy lines, luminous colour and shimmering optical illusions: Eleni Nakopoulos’ debut exhibition explores the transient beauty of water and its impact on Australia’s landscape. 

Just Add Water is the culmination of a 15-year exploration for Eleni in finding her artistic voice and on 20 April 2010 she releases that voice when she opens her debut exhibition at The Depot Gallery in Waterloo, comprising nine masterful works.
 
Eleni’s motivation for this body of work sprang from the transformation that takes place when rain falls on cracked dry earth, turning its dormant potential into a pulsating vitality, an almost magical phenomenon captured with poignancy, singularity and beauty. 



Vibrant colour, twists and turns across the surface of these large shimmering paintings, creating an intriguing optical play that in each case secretes its subject in its web.  Refocus, and suddenly a wild crane is seen drinking from a pond, or a wasp is caught hovering mid-air.

Read more in today’s Mosman Daily:
http://mosman-daily.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/tiny-artist-isn-t-short-of-talent/