Presented by Music Australia
Reviewed 9 March 2018
In the pleasant surroundings of the Ukaria Cultural centre this concert opened with the Bach piece ‘Erbarme dich’ – Have mercy my God from the St Matthew’s Passion beautifully sung by Tania Fiebig. She was accompanied by the Tinalley String Quartet. For a change of feel this was followed by Fratres by Arvo Part by the quartet leading into two Turkish folk songs again sung by Tania Fiebig with the quartet joined by pianist Daniel DeBorah and percussionist Claire Edwardes. These are songs heard by the Anzacs in Gallipoli coming from the Turkish encampment. The first Cannakale Turkusu is obviously a lament, sung to express the horror of the conflict and the loss of those left behind. The second translated as ‘If I left you and ran away on far away roads’ is a favourite of contemporary Turkish singers. Both were sung with a depth of feeling.
After the interval the Tinalley Quartet, Adam Chalabi (violin), Lerida Delbridge (violin), Justin Williams (viola) and Patrick Murphy (cello) returned. These excellent musicians were joined again by Daniel Deborah and Claire Edwardes and also Andrew Meisel on Bass and of course Lior.
The following seven songs were either in Hebrew or Arabic, but easier to understand with the excellent program notes provided by Lior and Nigel Westlake, the driving forces and composers behind Compassion. I do not speak or understand either of these languages but the beauty and purity of the performance was very affecting. The message of care and forgiveness is evident and the final song a Hebrew hymn of compassion Avinu Malkeiu resonates to any language or faith.
Lior is a remarkable talent with a voice that penetrates the soul. Adelaide Festival has brought us a rare gem and a chance to experience music that is from a part of the world many of us may not have experienced but because of the ties of WWI has meaning for us. A worthwhile experience,
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: Ukaria Cultural Centre
Season: 8-13 March
Duration: 1 hrs 35mins
Tickets: Individual concert $44 – $55 (and then various packages)
Bookings: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/2018/hamlet
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