The ACO’s tour of The Four Seasons featuring oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros and riq master James Tawadros is winding up with final performances at the Sydney Opera House and Wollongong Town Hall (some tickets still available for the Wollongong concert at the time of writing!).
While we didn’t get the opportunity to see the concert in person, it was fantastic to hear it thanks to ABC Classic’s live recording from Hamer Hall, Melbourne on March 19. The music is unbelievably good – but it’s the audience response that takes it to the next level. It’s refreshing to hear people loving the experience of live music so much, but we’re sure we’ll soak up a similar atmosphere when we go to ACO’s A Clockwork Orange and Beyond concert in May.
Just how good was this tour of The Four Seasons?
Here is a selection of reviews:
Trans-Mediterranean cultures meet in an absolute tonic of a show from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the brothers Tawadros. ★★★★½
“To be honest, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see people on their feet and swaying to the music at some points in the evening. And that would have been fine with me.”
– Jason Blake, Limelight
The Four Seasons ★★★★½ Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Recital Centre, March 18
“The assimilation of the oud and riq into most of the movements gave this familiar music a fresh feel, reaching a heady climax in Summer, where Tognetti and Joseph Tawadros went head to head in the final movement, with an extraordinarily virtuosic display resulting in the most scorching evocation of a summer storm one is ever likely to hear.”
– Tony Way, The Age
Australian Chamber Orchestra, Joseph & James Tawadros in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Perth Concert Hall
“Finally, Tawadros’ Constantinople summoned a city on the cusp of Europe and Asia where violin met oud, the latter barrelling along on a wave of symbiotic string energy, strumming furiously through high harmonics before returning to an earthy dance and a standing ovation.”
– David Cusworth, The West Australian
Concert review: Tognetti and Tawadros add a touch of spice to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
“Musical cliches were avoided and what liberties were taken were all done in good taste. Let’s face it, the purists have plenty of “historically informed” or full symphonic versions to choose from: this was a night for the more open-minded music lover.
And the packed out Angel Place audience lapped it up. The frenetic back and forth between oud and violin in Eye Of The Beholder and the tricky rhythmical shifts of Kindred Spirit and Sleight Of Hand — a showcase for James’s deft skills — raised the roof.”
– Steve Moffatt, The Daily Telegraph
Don’t forget, for all our current voucher holders, if you want to use your culture voucher for upcoming ACO performances go here to find out more!
The next big ACO tour is A Clockwork Orange and Beyond, 12 – 23 May, touring to Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, and Canberra: Richard Tognetti, the ACO, Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory and his ensemble of Moog Synthesisers perform trailblazing music from the soundtracks of A Clockwork Orange, Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire, Interstellar, Solaris, Doctor Who and more.
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