Music / CIMF Concert 10, “Viola Solitaire”. At Verity Lane Market, May 3. Reviewed by DANTE COSTA.

VIOLA, viola, viola; that’s what it’s all about! This concert proved that this often-neglected instrument is so much more than just the middle child of the string family.

Violists Katie Yap and James Wannan, with keyboardist Donald Nicolson, explored the musical capabilities of the viola and the different ways it can be used to wow an audience. This all-Australian concert featured premieres from Andrew Ford, Elliott Gyger and a collaborative work by Yap and Nicolson.

Beginning with Ford’s “In My Solitude”, Yap informed the audience that the piece was inspired by the themes from Purcell’s “O Solitude, My Sweetest Choice”, which are used to craft reverse variations. Opening with a graceful yet solemn melody, her tone was rich and beautiful elevated by moments of chilling harmonics that filled the room. The piece then developed into a more virtuosic and playful section that had subtle baroque inflections.

The second piece, “Solitaire” by Elliot Gyger, was performed by Wannan who played with impressive tenacity and skill.

This monumental work is divided in 13 short movements and explores every facet of the instrument.  Each movement is separate in mood and character, several in which feature the use of only one string. This offered a refreshingly new take in what Wannan commended as being one of the most “substantial works for solo viola in recent years”.

This piece creates seemingly infinite possibilities of tone colours and moods that Wannan effortlessly crafted from his instrument. The performance was incredibly imaginative and deeply moving. The best way to describe it is as a soliloquy where the performer speaks to themselves conveyed through thematic contrasts between sustained legato sections and fast intensely rhythmic and virtuosic passages. It was an assured and confident performance.

Concluding the concert was “Black Cockatoos” by Yap and Nicolson, who performed the piece on baroque viola and harpsichord, as well as incorporating the use of electronic soundscapes. Mixing old and new, this piece was the result of a collaboration that combines baroque music with contemporary Australian.

There are sometimes moments where you become lost in a performer’s trance as the music just sweeps over you. This was one of those moments. Together, Yap and Nicolson crafted a mix of resplendent melodies and magical ambience that held the audience in suspense until the very end.