Amy, 24, Melbourne, web designer, piano student, Slytherin, nostalgia (and chocolate) addict, and languisher in all things baroque, rococo, and Tolkien.
I was lucky enough to get to my second Yann Tiersen concert a few weeks ago. I say lucky because both times were a sellout, but I am not so enthusiastic about the direction he’s taken since Les Retrouvailles. This concert mainly featured pieces from his newest album, Skyline. I understand why he doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed as just the-Amélie-soundtrack-dude, but there is little left of the signature whimsy and charm of his earlier albums – the major presence of electric guitars brought his current sound more into the realm of minimalist ambient rock.
There were some good moments, especially getting to hear Rue des Cascades, but I guess you could describe a lot of the rest as … noise. That probably sounds harsh, because I did enjoy it, but I guess my personal music taste diverged from his music journey.
There was a signing afterwards, and the other current band members came out a little later. Lowana grabbed the set list (look at song 3 
).
I also brought my old book along and finally got the set list from the last gig in 2006! I asked if any of the other members had been at that particular concert, but I think only one had. He proceeded to hand the paper to Yann, and they started reminiscing about it, which held the queue up…
Though the gig 6 years ago was sold out, I managed to convince someone to let me in with a sob story (“I’ve come so far and he’s my favourite modern composer!” which was true at the time), and by wearing an attractive corset.
I’ll open this post by teasing you with a tasty strawberry & white chocolate cheesecake from the kitchen of Kimmy. I visited her just so I could eat it, excellent sister that I am. I spent the middle of July in bed with the flu and as soon as I was recovering I just wanted to get out of the house and eat something other than soup. Mmm.
Adam and I house-sat for our friends during the last week of July and had a relatively peaceful time. We relaxed, read, and levelled up a trio of vulgar dwarves on The Lord of the Rings Online. I experimented with a new way of wearing a Bodyline dress which I’ve become more fond of since!
We went to an Indian restaurant one night, Paramparaa, which turned out to be really lovely, quality food. I tried a rose lassi that was absolutely delightful! The service was excellent, and the chairs were beautiful.
On the 4th we caught one of our favourite local groups, the quintet Cosmo Cosmolino. They are launching their new album, Bel Air. When I call them “romantic” I’m not just being facile. The first time we saw them Adam and I weren’t actually an item yet, but I think Cosmo could be called the catalyst to our relationship. Or maybe it was the entire bottle of vodka we consumed afterwards? The plan was to take a drink each time Bela Lugosi raised his eyebrows. And The Bride of Frankenstein passed in a blur as we set sail on the living room couch (mast and pirate get-up included). We used Arnott’s Savoy biscuits to chase down the shots as the sun was rising. Adam fell in the river, but he had become cryptic and incomprehensible by then. I got kissed! I left the next day heavily bruised and delighted. I’m not sure if all that actually constitutes romance, but Adam becomes very flamboyant after a few drinks, gesticulates wildly everywhere, recites poems…
Er, anyway, they played the following:
La Mort de Jezebel
Gnossienne No. 3 – Erik Satie
Ma Voiture
Eternal Longing – Dilermando Reis
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 – Franz Lizst
Black Pearl
On the Sunny Side of the Street – Jimmy McHugh
Klezmer Cry
Nostalgias – Cobian/Cadicamo
Alice & the Blue Whale
Of
Don Nicanor – Ástor Piazzolla
Bel Air
Truly
Boat of Faith
To Be
Libertango – Ástor Piazzolla
Odessa Bulgarish – Trad.
We really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see them again in a few weeks! Cosmo are delectable, passionate, they work together seamlessly and make you want to just dance to their gypsy strains. Here are a few sound clips. And now for some more crummy iPhone pictures:
Goodness gracious, I have been occupied!
I had nothing to post about for a few weeks but all the fun things happening lately have been concentrated into the past week. I shall take it day by day, blow by blow…
Oh, gratuitous photo time:
Saturday 2nd
One of my nieces just turned 15 so she had a Harry Potter party to celebrate. It was actually warm enough to spend the whole day outside! Almost everybody dressed up, but I think everyone was in agreeance upon the fact that Kimmy, my sister, made the best effort with her Hagrid ensemble. She even had the walk down pat.
Guests were all sorted and we played little games (“degnoming the garden”, trivia, etc.) throughout the afternoon to earn house points. There was no shortage of cheating, though Hufflepuff won the House Cup at the end of the day by a large margin. I don’t have any photos yet…
After the guests had left I set up a computer for my niece (her birthday present ) and then picked up our friend Martin from the station, who would be staying with us for a little while.
Sunday 3rd
Adam, Martin and I headed into the city for a much-anticipated (by us…) performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra. The program for the day was “Baroque Virtuosi” and the ACO’s new little star, a 280-year-old Stradivarius, would be debuting with Tartini’s Devil’s Trill Sonata, a particular favourite of Adam’s.
We met up with my sister and her friend, had some lunch, and then all took our seats in the Town Hall. The ACO, as vibrant and energetic and lovely (to my ears) as ever gave us the following:
HANDEL Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.12
GREENBAUM Moments of Falling
BRUMBY The Phoenix and the Turtle I and III
LEDGER Johann has left the building (World Premiere)
VIVALDI Concerto for four violins, RV580
TELEMANN Viola Concerto
SCULTHORPE Port Essington
TARTINI (arr. Kreisler) Violin Sonata, Op.1 No.4, “Devil’s Trill”
CORELLI Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.2
The Handel was transporting. Our seats were close enough to really hear and delight in the music this time. Stuart Greenbaum’s Moments of Falling, dedicated to (and somewhat evocative of) Arvo Part did not impress Adam, who is not so partial to modern Australian composers, but is ironically partial to minimalism and Part. I enjoyed all the pieces interspersed between the baroque concerti. Greenbaum, who is a professor of music at Melbourne University, came out to applaud the performance. In the composer’s own words, “Moments of Falling is constructed around a cascading 16-note motif in the Aeolian mode. It features a high degree of repetition, but as the motif is overlaid at different speeds in different octaves, no bar is ever exactly the same.”
Brumby made me think of butterflies, swans, the languor of Spring… the work would not have been out of place as a film score, in my opinion. Ledger’s work was turbulent and exciting, but I wonder if the piece would’ve actually made Johann leave the building upon hearing it. I couldn’t decide whether I loved it or was uncomfortable! A rather familiar Vivaldi concluded the first half of the program, for which I have no critcism.
The Herald Sun said, “Principal violist Christopher Moore gave a rich-timbred, if low-key, reading of Telemann’s Viola Concerto In G.” Moore is animated and produces a beautiful sound. Sculthorpe’s Djilile was instantly recognisable in his dynamic six-part Port Essington. I was quite mesmerised by the journey through this work. The Age describes the ACO’s performance of this as “near-reverent”.
And then, at last, the Devil’s Trill. Adam said he considered everything prior as obstacles he had to sit through to get to this. Satu Vanska’s performance was grand and literally left me wanting for breath. The work is not simply ‘virtuosic’ or at all facile in nature — it’s a masterpiece! I thought we’d never get a reprieve from the temptatious solo, it was as if someone was holding a bar of the best chocolate in the world in front of [me] in the throes of a chocolate craving, and constantly pulling it back. Or something. The refined Corelli concerto provided a nice wholesome chord for us to leave happily on.
Afterwards we met up with some of the Melbourne Lolitas, who are becoming good friends, and ate Chinese for dinner.
Me looking awkward in BTSSB and Adam’s coat
Martin and beautiful Kimberley
I had a piano lesson on Monday and rested on Tuesday while the boys went for walks!
Wednesday 6th
I’m sure this has been my favourite day so far because I LOVE SNOW. I dreamt of a misty, alpine forest the night before with a single deer in it. We drove up to our nearest mountain and were happily met by enough snow to play in and toboggan down for a few hours. It didn’t actually snow while we were there, we just got facefuls of icy rain. I would like to go back soon, before it melts. I was warm the whole time but we forgot to bring good gloves!
Down to the slopes…
Sliding down is the easy part, climbing back is exhausting!
Martin’s snow bunny
Adam giving me a ride back to the car
Thursday 7th
We stopped at a nearby town for spare teacups and second-hand books the following day, and headed up the mountain into Adam’s family’s town.
A nice antique store, and reminder of how not to pose if you are me
Adam’s aunt runs a tearoom and gardens on the property where Australian poet C. J. Dennis moved to and lived until the end of his life. He named the propertly “Arden” but it’s now called “The Singing Gardens” and features magnificent gardens, hidden paths and is beautiful in every season. We enjoyed afternoon tea there and a tranquil walk in the fine rain. My head looks stupid, aargh!
After this we drove down to the city again, showing Martin many areas along the way that were burnt out in Black Saturday’s fires. The bush has of course regenerated marvellously. Our evening consisted of another recital – this time it was a candelit programme of the complete Chopin Nocturnes, played by Australian pianist Piers Lane. My piano teacher invited many of his students and friends, as it was bound to be quite an enriching experience for pupils and non-musicians alike!
The moment his finger hit the first key (a B-flat) Piers lulled us into a dreamy state, taking us through an almost ethereal journey of peace, passion, drama, thoughtfulness and depth. His melodies sang out beautifully across the hall, Chopin’s love of bel canto evident especially in the F-minor, Op. 55 No. 1. Piers’ tenderness at the end of the C-sharp (no. 20) nocturne was particularly touching. He would pause intermittently to give us a little commentary and background, expressing that Chopin had come such a long way from the early nocturnes into the final, matured works. It was an experience I won’t soon forget. I even got to meet him briefly and tell him how very fine (and at times unexpected) his playing was! The only downside to these concerts is that we always seem to be seated next to fidgeters, throat-clearers, whifflers, whistlers, and assorted flibbertigibbets and sundry. Maybe I need to live for another few decades before I understand why one must cough through every concert.
I’ll cover the next few days in the next post!
Over two dozen Melbourne lolitas frocked up for a lovely Easter-themed picnic in the Fitzroy Gardens on the 17th. I wanted a chance to wear my new Innocent World dress, and the picnic was just what I needed to cheer up a bit! This eczema flare-up has me thoroughly depressed and self-conscious. It seems that as soon as one patch starts to heal, half a dozen more pop up! I think I’ve had about 7 doctor visits but none have been very helpful so I’m off to my naturopath tonight for adjustment – she also listens to me, explains clinically what’s going on, and doesn’t just hand over a prescription. I have taken all the usual suggestions and followed every doctor’s instruction but I am still frustrated, disfigured, and losing sleep. But last Sunday provided a brief reprieve from pyjamas and MMO-escapism, and I’m really glad I went. Everyone was lovely, the sun was out for most of the pretty Autumn day, and it was fun. I didn’t take any photos but others more confident and talented behind the lens did, so I’ve shared a few and hope they don’t mind! I think all photos are from Kavya’s camera unless otherwise stated.
Adam and I (taken my Mei)
Bunnies! Pamela & Kimberley looking adorable
My favourite picture ^__^
Enjoying the fare!
Kavya, Marie from ODIP, and me in our pretty florals
Our suave “aristocratic” boys, Victor, Adam and Jorge
Photo by Alice
The whole beautiful group
Photo by Mei
The next evening 7 of my friends and I went to Melbourne’s beautiful Palais theatre to see Imogen Heap as she returned for the last time to Australia as part of her Ellipse tour. I’m sure I’m hitting close to the mark when I say we are all enamoured of her transporting soundscapes and ingenious layering. She’s very charismatic to watch, communicates a lot, and we end up feeling more like part of the whole show than just audience members. After taking votes in an online poll designed to see what fans actually wanted to hear most, the repertoire went as follows:
The Walk
Goodnight And Go
Speeding Cars
Between Sheets
Aha!
Canvas
Wait It Out
Lifeline (new song)
Let Go
Just For Now
Half Life
First Train Home
Little Bird
Swoon
Headlock
The Moment I Said It
Hide and Seek
Tidal
These photos are from Lowana, because I didn’t take any!
Imogen is 6′ tall and wore slinky, sparkly black clothing…
L-R: Lowana(not pictured), Talie, me, Adam, Mitch, Kimmy, Alice, & Alex – all great friends and really close to the stage this time! We look a bit blank but are actually just very immersed in the music.
Imogen pulls out the keytar (now working) for an animated solo in “Tidal”, her final piece for the night.
A bit of unstable pitch (evidently the sacrifice to be made for her signature breathy quality) and an audio hitch that lasted about fifteen minutes might be the only things that could bother someone about the Melbourne concert, but Imogen’s raw vocals and openness are beautiful, entertaining, and it’s easy to fall in love with her. Her Melbourne show last year left me very emotional for about half an hour afterwards, mostly because I had to leave a little before the end of the show to get a lift home, so being able to see out the whole night this time was satisfying.
I need to post about my picnic (which was a beautiful success) but I’m waiting on some photos because I want to do justice to it, so I have a few other things to regale you with until then!
And now for Wednesday, March 9, Cecilia Bartoli! I had a piano lesson in the afternoon, then spent some time with my mother and sister. I had my hair out for a rare couple of minutes while getting ready and got her to take a photo (I don’t often see it myself, heh). It still seems healthy but it’s time for a tiny trim of those rough ends.
I drove across the mountains, stopped for macarons and bought some flowering teas for my lovely friendJuliette, and finally ended up at my good friend’s house. Along with her parents, she is appearing in Melbourne Opera’s Merry Widow currently, and as they were rehearsing that night I went into the city with them. Unfortunately they had to pass on their Bartoli tickets because it clashed with the rehearsal. I trotted over to the Hall nice and early, standing conspicuously outside in clothing and accessories covered in musical motifs! I became acquainted with a friendly lady called Cara outside, and helped a random older lady reply to a text message. Once the doors opened I purchased a programme only – and finally one not featuring advertisements on every other page – and sat in my lowly second-to-last-row seat. The Town Hall is quite beautiful inside, and I believe had the Hamer Hall been operational Cecilia would’ve performed there.
Cecilia came on-stage looking voluptuous and beautiful in a red gown. She was accompanied the entire time only by pianist Sergio Ciomei which allowed her voice to carry through the hall quite well – and she certainly held our attention and caused us to fall in love with her instantly (at least I hope someone agrees with this, but I couldn’t hear any complaints). This quote from Pianomania sums up the pieces better than I can:
O mia Cecilia! Whatever you have heard on disc or seen on TV, Cecilia Bartoli is exactly that plus some more. Larger than life and donning a stunning red gown, she looks every bit the diva, artist and entertainer all rolled up in one. The programme was straight forward – Italian and French songs accompanied by Sergio Ciomei’s piano. No opera, just art songs from the pens of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. Love lost and found, flora and fauna, and the pleasures of a simple peasant life, were all encompassed in these numbers. Bartoli sounded fresh and each song sparkled with life. Her vividness of articulation, which ranged from the most quiet and intimate of moments to full-blooded roars, was just as impressive.
Cecilia gave us an exciting Rataplan, then four encores, ending on Broschi’s Son Qual Nave which simply made my night! It would take a miracle to find someone with a spare Sydney ticket to see the Sacrificiumprogramme, the only Australian concert dedicated to the castrato pieces from the album of the same name. I kept planning how I could take a flight up in the day, go to the concert, then come back to Melbourne afterwards, but there are a dozen other things that must take financial priority! Anyway, straight after she finished I joined the queue to meet her. Cara from earlier joined me and we chatted to another older lady next to us while waiting – they helped me get a photo with Cecilia! She is smaller in real life than people expect, though she has a large presence on stage, and very beautiful. When I reached the front after a long while I briefly thanked Ms. Bartoli and told her how beautiful she (and her music) was that night. She kindly agreed to a photo (our camera always makes my skin and proportion look stupid, but I’m sure it could’ve been worse!) and signed my programme, and I left feeling ecstatic. I know she doesn’t like to fly so if she doesn’t come back to Australia one day, I really hope to see her sing again! What fun!
Sister Blog
Juliette at Classical Doll