Arts

Bradman Triumphs Once More

If ever a more humble, mild mannered sporting hero was venerated to the point of sainthood, then Sir Donald George Bradman fits that bill.

Regarded as the most outstanding cricketer ever for his near perfect batting average of 99.94, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Tribute to ‘The Boy From Bowral’ is a moving and joyous experience to behold.

Concert_detail_banners_758x310px31If ever a more humble, mild mannered sporting hero was venerated to the point of sainthood, then Sir Donald George Bradman fits that bill.

Regarded as the most outstanding cricketer ever for his near perfect batting average of 99.94, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Tribute to ‘The Boy From Bowral’ is a moving and joyous experience to behold. Conducted by Luke Dollman and narrated by Gary Sweet in the opulent surrounding of Adelaide Town Hall, the world premiere of ‘Our Don’ tells the story of a humble, yet focussed man in what resembles a Pathe News Reel resplendent with it’s vintage footage, only better.

The first half of the show saw works by Graeme Koehne (String Quartet No.2 Shaker Dances III: Square Order Shuffle) followed by Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra by Osvaldo Golijov with Greta Bradman stepping in as Soprano in a dramatic and suspenseful piece. Bradman, (who is the granddaughter of Sir Don) was magnificent in her Copper Sequined gown, and her ethereal range evoked emotions that spanned between sorrow and joy in a remarkably soothing appearance.

After a short interval and an introduction to the World Premiere by ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello and Minister For The Arts the Hon Jack Snelling, ‘Our Don’ told the story in five parts of the most admired Australian of the 20th Century, who passed away in 2001. With the ASO providing impeccable accompaniment to Natalie Williams’ composition, the performance was a bold foray into classical music meets multimedia. The use of archive images, news clippings and anecdotes regarding Bradman allowed the audience to engage in his life, both public and private.

The five-part composition consisted of

I. The Boy From Bowral, which told of Bradman’s humble beginnings and quoted fragments of bird songs heard in Bowral.

II. Bodyline covered the hard days of the 1930’s between the English and Australian teams who engaged in a fierce battle of skill and wits.

III. His Greatest Partnership was perhaps the most poignant and beautifully displayed element, as it highlighted his long-term romance with wife, Lady Jessie Bradman which clearly almost moved Narrator Gary Sweet to tears.

IV. The Invincibles covered Bradman’s final tour of England in 1947-48 and contained one of the more memorable Bradman quotes which affirmed his humility, and justified why he fell just short of the perfect 100 batting average- “No man should be seen bigger than the game”.

The final chapter, V. Our Don, a National Hero reflected on Bradman’s place in sports history, his contribution to cricket overall, and his personal values as a very private and humble man who shied away from publicity and fame. There were several times where the music made the narration inaudible, but the message was well received by the audience and nothing was lost on the performance’s intent. A minor issue that can be easily fixed for the next performance.

We all love our sporting heroes, even more so when they show such grace and class despite achieving so much in one lifetime-it is a great mark of respect to have the love of a nation bestowed upon you. One of the final quotes from the evening best summed up the life of this extraordinary man- who left such a huge legacy to the game of Cricket and Australian sport in general:

“We shall never see his like again”.

Indeed, we shall not. RIP Sir Don!

‘Our Don’ premiered on Thursday 14 August at the Adelaide Town Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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