A winning pair of aces
VIOLINIST Peter Tanfield and cellist Rod McGrath will perform works by Ravel, Kodaly, Britten and Ysaye for Musica Viva Tasmania in Hobart on Sunday.
The two first performed together without prior rehearsal three years ago, when McGrath stepped in as a last-minute replacement at a concert in Perth, where he is principal cello of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
“It was as if we’d been playing together for years,” Tanfield said. “We fitted together perfectly.” The two followed up with duo performances in Perth last year, and both were keen to continue the relationship, including Sunday’s concert in Hobart, and more in Western Australia next year.
Tanfield and McGrath will begin with Sonata for Violin and Cello, by Ravel.
“It is sparse and almost terse, but not dry, and was used in the film Un Coeur en Hiver,” Tanfield said. “It has an otherworldly beauty.” Tanfield will play Sonata No.4 for Solo Violin, by Eugene Ysaye.
“It was dedicated to Fritz Kreisler and modelled on Bach, although the language is related to Debussy with whom he corresponded,” Tanfield said.
“Ysaye was himself a great violinist. It has an impressive opening and a brilliant last movement. It’s a very beautiful and contrasting piece of music.”
McGrath will perform Suite No.2 for Solo Cello, by Britten.
“It was dedicated to Rostropovich and reflects Britten’s love of English music of the 15th and 16th centuries,” Tanfield said.
The concert will conclude with Kodaly’s Duo for Violin and Cello.
“It is very meaty, rich and strong, with an ethnic Hungarian flavour,” Tanfield said.
“Like the Ravel it is also very virtuosic.
“The sonorities are fantastic and there are some wonderful long solos for each instrument.”
The concert starts at the Hobart Town Hall at 4pm on Sunday. Tickets are 32-$50, available from the Theatre Royal box office.
— PENNY THOW