UNLIKELY COMBINATION OF INSTRUMENTS DELIGHTS GUNNING AUDIENCE

 Because the Gazette’s regular concert reviewer, Mandy McDonald, could not attend the performance by Unique Baroque in the Gunning Courtroom on Sunday, 11 June, this report is provided by me, one of the concert organisers from Gunning Focus Group (GFG).

I have tried to provide the same objectivity and unflinching criticism Mandy brings to her work.  But the performance by harpsichordist Ariana Odermat and accordionist Anton Wurzer was such a delight that I cannot find anything negative to say.

JS Bach and GF Handel figured prominently in their program.  The harpsichord [which came in at number 19 in the ABC Classic FM top instruments survey] provided the keyboard line in the pieces with the accordion [number 34] playing the part of flute, oboe, organ, and other instruments as needed. And it did it so well.  Close your eyes, and you could not believe the sound came from a squeezebox.  The harpsichord and accordion combined superbly to create a little orchestra, just right for the Gunning chamber music venue.

This reviewer could see only one problem. The audience’s concert-going experience could have been marred when GFG management was unable to get its EFTPOS reader to work. But there was no sign of anybody’s day being ruined by this.  It is always a good sign that a concert has succeeded if the performers immediately volunteer their keenness to return. And that, combined with audience smiles, is what we saw at Unique Baroque’s performance.

GFG’s next concert, a special NAIDOC week presentation, features young Wiradjuri singer/guitarist Jerekye Williams.  Hailed as “an enthralling performer crossing all age groups and genres”, Jerikye will play Roy Orbison, Chis Izaak and others, plus his own pieces in the Courtroom on Saturday, 8 July, at 2 pm.   Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/jerikye-williams or contact 0429 906 834 or gunningfocusgroup@gmail.com   GFG assure the public its card reader operating skills will be top-notch by then.

Bob Spiller

Gunning Focus Group

This review is reproduced courtesy of the Upper Lachlan Gazette.  It was published in the Gazette of 14 June 2023