MONA FOMA – Concert Review
"Beautifully lyrical music...." Read about the premiere of Matthew Dewey's newly commissioned work "Il Tempo Passa" based on english translations of the poems of Michelangelo. The work was performed by baritone Michael Lampard, pianist Karen Smithies and violist Jo St Leon at the 2011 MONA FOMA.
This Unchartered Hour at the Theatre Royal (Hobart) – November 2011
"This Unchartered Hour", a moving drama is written by the astounding young Tasmanian-based Finegan Kruckemeyer is featured at the Theatre Royal in Hobart complemented by a live performance of Matthew Dewey’s original musical score, this graceful and profound play will resonate with you long after you leave the theatre.
Album Release: “Echoes” featuring the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthew Dewey's new album Echoes featuring the Russian Philharmonic recordings is now available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Rhapsody, eMusic and others! Click anywhere on this image to find out more!!
“The Dance of Light” (Single) Available now on iTunes
As part of an ongoing project to release selected tracks from previous theatrical and film projects as downloadable mp3s, "The Dance of Light" is now available online at cdbaby.com and iTunes. The work, an electronically treated solo piano work performed by the composer, was written as an abstract reaction to the concept of light dancing.
ABOUT
“A substantial piece…. (the orchestra) relished the rich orchestration”
THE MERCURY
“Special piece brings out best in orchestra”
By PETER DONNELLY
The Derwent Symphony Orchestra
Damien Holloway, conductor
Michael Lampard, baritone
Hobart Town Hall, September 2011
MATTHEW Dewey composed his Derwent Overture for this concert.
Anything but a frothy opener, it is a substantial piece, in content if not in length. The musical language is quite accessible, with overtones of Wagner and Sibelius, while retaining an individual character.
The work falls into several contrasting episodes, building towards a dramatic and optimistic climax. The DSO responded with some fine playing, relishing the rich orchestration, especially the writing for lower brass and strings.
Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Op 37 is rarely performed by a baritone, but Michael Lampard made a strong case with his excellent singing here. The tempi in the first two songs were a bit too slow, perhaps to accommodate the orchestra.
However, the middle song, Sabbath Morning at Sea, gained in power as performed by Lampard’s strong and sympathetic voice.
The orchestra, excellently directed by Damien Holloway, was in fine fettle and brought out much colourful detail in Elgar’s orchestration.
After interval, there was much to enjoy in the Sibelius Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op 39 especially the woodwinds.
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Order your copy of Echoes now! CD ships internationally.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW FROM THE MATTHEWDEWEY.COM WEBSITE
The Album is also available on iTunes (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ON ITUNES), Amazon mp3 (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON) and CD Baby (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ON CD BABY).
Experience the power of Tasmanian orchestral music. The Russian Philharmonic conducted by Alexey Osetrov perform two orchestral works by Matthew Dewey: The dramatic Orchestral Suite No.1, a three movement work for full orchestra that evokes images of the Tasmanian landscape; and Dewey’s Symphony No.1 (Port Arthur, 1996) for orchestral strings, which was written in response to the Port Arthur massacre of 1996, inspired by Tom Holloway’s profoundly moving play “Beyond the Neck”.
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A drama by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Friday 11 November at 8pm
Saturday 12 November at 2pm & 8pm
SYNOPSIS
While driving, a young man kills a dog. This accidental event steers him unexpectedly to the house, now abandoned, where he grew up. As he moves from room to room, he releases memories and ghosts of the lives lived within its walls and exposes a long held family secret.
A secret which stopped time – leaving a woman trapped by memory; a son groping for answers; a husband with his lover; and a revelation that blasts their world with light.
ABOUT
This moving drama is written by the astounding young Tasmanian-based Finegan Kruckemeyer who in 2011 will have 14 productions playing on five continents.
Complemented by a live performance of Matthew Dewey’s original musical score, and elegantly staged by eminent Tasmanian director/designer Robert Jarman, this graceful and profound play will resonate with you long after you leave the theatre.
CAST
Director & Designer: Robert Jarman
Producer: Annette Downs
Composer: Matthew Dewey
Lighting Designer: Danny Pettingill
Design consultant: Constantine Koukias
Costumier: Helen Edwards
Stage Manager: Jen Cramer
Featuring: A cast of five including jane Longhurst and Mel King
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the production and how to purchase tickets, please visit www.theatreroyal.com.au.
September will see the first performance of my new overture for orchestra (currently untitled) which has been commissioned by the Derwent Symphony Orchestra. The performance will take place on Sunday the 11th of September 2011, 2.30pm at Hobart Town Hall (Tasmania). The conductor is Damien Holloway and the programme will also features Elgar’s Sea Pictures (with guest soloist Michael Lampard) and Sibelius’ Symphony No.1.
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“…a hauntingly beautiful and evocative setting of Lala Fisher’s poem…”
Spirited quartet triumphs
By CAROLYN PHILPOTT.
Mercury Newspaper. May 16, 2011
REVIEW
22SQ Saxophone Quartet
Michael Lampard, Baritone
Baha’i Centre of Learning, Hobart
THE architecturally stunning, dome-shaped auditorium at the Baha’i Centre of Learning was the ideal setting for this concert by dynamic saxophone quartet 22SQ, comprising young local musicians Benjamin Price (soprano saxophone), Georgina Smith (alto saxophone), Mitchell Ellis (tenor saxophone) and Nicholas Nugent (baritone saxophone).
The program incorporated a variety of old and new works, some written specifically for saxophone quartet, others adapted from works initially composed for different combinations of instruments. Works by Dutch composers featured prominently and were given fine treatment by the ensemble, especially the challenging contrapuntal piece Mein Junges Leben, hat ein End (My Young Life has an End) by the early Baroque composer Jan Pieterszoon-Sweelinck and the more recently-composed Punctus Einz of Ruud van Eeten, a highly energetic reinterpretation of J.S. Bach’s Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue).
Two works in particular stood out as the focal points of the concert: the version of Philip Glass’s Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra for quartet alone, and Matthew Dewey’s The Moon Flower for baritone and saxophone quartet, given its world premiere at this concert.
The ensemble performed the Glass concerto with great precision and unity and the driving rhythms of the second and fourth movements came across very effectively. Baritone Michael Lampard gave a strong and well-articulated performance in The Moon Flower, a hauntingly beautiful and evocative setting of Lala Fisher’s poem of the same name.
Commission
Matthew Dewey regularly composes commissioned works for recordings and for the concert platform.
Corporate
Matthew Dewey has written music extensively for corporate and commercial situations including instructional DVDs, television commercials and radio advertisements.