Review: The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and La Camera delle Lacrime Join Forces To Present A Brilliant Expression Of World Music In KARAKORUM: A MEDIEVAL JOURNEY

Wednesday 25 July 2018, 7pm, City Recital Hall

French music ensemble La Camera delle Lacrime unites with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (ABO) for a wonderful exploration of world music in KARAKORUM: A MEDIEVAL JOURNEY. ABO's baroque instruments are joined by La Camera delle Lacrime's older style instruments from the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia to present the story of William de Rubruck's 13th century trip from Constantinople to Mongolia, narrated by David Wenham.

The 80 minute staged concert is an intriguing exploration of old world music that is greatly centered in religious origins. Christian, Buddhist, Islamic chants and prayers along with regional melody's from across Asia are led by soloist Bruno Bonhoure (Music Director, La Camera delle Lacrime) and supported by 5 male singers drawn from the Brandenburg Choir. Bonhoure also conducts the orchestra and those that enjoy Dyer's passionate leadership of the ABO will not be disappointed as Bonhoure is equally animated and expressive.

Director Constantine Costi presents a simple visual aesthetic for the experience with Wenham donning Franciscan Monk's robes as he takes on the role of the traveler recalling the journal entries (translated by Michael Costi) and a sole oriental chair featured on stage. Wenham makes way for the music to be the focus between the journal accounts with Bonhoure delivering an animated interpretation of the music that at times draws on the ritualistic dance of the regions represented as he utilizes the stage and interacts with the orchestra.

The text has a light comedy as the epic journey is retold whilst the music takes the audience on a journey through different regions, capturing the sounds of the Middle East, India and Asia. Of particular note is the waves of sound that express the depth and darkness of the Black Sea that are evoked in the Melody from the Caucasus, the Arabic Zill finger cymbals that punctuate the Sufi chant Loving The Beauty Of Layla, and the fluid oriental tones of the Erhu in the Melody of the Sacred Mountain Ural.

Framed as a music concert that could easily fit within a Festival programming, KARAKORUM is also a celebration of the impressive lengths people went to in the name of peaceful spread of religion and a reminder that many belief systems can exist together as they were doing in Karakorum. It is also a reminder that no one belief system is better than the other as discovered at the debate presided over by Mongke Khan and the richness of the music included in the programming reinforces the universality of music and the ability it has to unite.

Whilst the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra's concerts are always a treat for regulars and newcomers looking for something a bit different to the standard classical music fare, KARAKORUM: A MEDIEVAL MUSICAL JOURNEY is a incredible merging of two wonderful companies to deliver music that isn't as regularly heard in Australian concert halls. Wonderful expression of world music with the added bonus of Wenham's wonderful narration.

KARAKORUM: A MEDIEVAL MUSICAL JOURNEY

https://www.brandenburg.com.au/

Sydney: City Recital Hall

25 July - 3 August

Melbourne: Melbourne Recital Centre

4 and 5 August

Brisbane: QPAC

7 August

Photos: Steven Godbee