Takács Quartet with Angie Milliken

This is a concert that inevitably engrosses the audience. Takács Quartet creates an intimate and delicate musical experience that allows each instrument to feature and distinguish itself. The quartet makes this an exceptional event with a lively and passionate performance by each outstanding member: Edward Dusinberre (violin), András Fejér (cello), Richard O’Neill (viola), and Harumi Rhodes (violin). Takács Quartet celebrates is 50^th year since forming. As a quartet they have travelled widely and are renowned for their innovative programming which often involves specially commissioned works.

In this performance Australian musician, Cathy Milliken, composed original music inspired by Bertholt Brecht’s Sonnet in Emigration. The music highlights the mix of emotions that come with displacement and disconnection. For political reasons Brecht’s emigration experience was characterised by contrasting cultures and confronting demands. The instruments in this dramatic composition are often played in unusual or different ways producing sounds and rhythms that echo the difficult emotions drawn out in the poetry. The narration is beautifully executed by Milliken’s sister Angie Milliken, an accomplished stage and screen actor. The delivery of the poetry gracefully accompanied the music and at times the words and the music seemed to work in tandem.

The program for this concert frames this original composition with two dynamic, traditional works. The concert opens with Joseph Haydn's String Quartet in G minor, Op.74 No. 3 ‘The Rider’ (1793). The sometimes fast and energetic tones of this piece provide an exciting opening to the performance and the ensuing program. The performance closed with Ludwig van Beethoven’s ‘String Quartet in C major, Op.59 ‘Razumovsky’ No.3 (1808). The energetic and spirited nature of the music and the delivery left the performance on a very high note. The demand for an encore was absolutely unanimous and was a further opportunity to experience the dedication and excellence that defines Takács Quartet.

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Cameron Jamieson