Above: GFG’s Margaret Dougall and the  audience applaud the Baradas excellent rendition of Mozart’s Flute Quartet K285, the standout piece for the day.

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT”

BARADA  FLUTE QUARTET IN THE GUNNING COURTROOM

“I loved every minute of it”, “This was delightful”, “Another excellent show” and “Absolutely fabulous,” were among the parting comments volunteered by concert goers after the Barada Flute Quartet played in the Gunning Courtroom on Saturday afternoon 11 April.

The Baradas comprise John Smiles (flute), Valerie Jackson (violin), Paul Whitbread (viola and informative commentary) and Jane Smith (cello).  This was the quartet’s premiere public performance.   And a very satisfying one it was too.

In the absence of CDs and streaming services, composers of the classical and romantic eras earned much of their income from providing sheet music to be played by skilled amateur musicians in intimate chamber music settings.  That’s exactly what we enjoyed at this concert.

The three pieces they gave us were played just as the composers, Mozart, Haydn and Ries, are thought to have intended, including just a few seemingly bum notes that are in the published manuscripts.  Whether these are due to transcription errors or were intended as early introductions of modern dissonance is not known.  They did not detract from our pleasure.

GFG passes all net returns to performers, less $3 per ticket sold for essential asset maintenance and administration costs.  The Baradas are donating their box office payment to Dainere’s Rainbow – an ACT-based charity dedicated to raising funds for Australian research into childhood brain cancer and providing support to affected families.

The audience had a great afternoon.  So too, did the players.   Violinist Valerie Jackson reported back after the show that the Courtroom “was a lovely venue to perform in with wonderful acoustics and of a size to have a connection with the audience.”  Flautist John Smiles told us “The Baradas really enjoyed the experience playing on the weekend and delighted that it was well received.  The courtroom was a great place to play for our instruments and style”.