Live at Lunch the Grigoryans

LIVE AT LUNCH

THE CONCOURSE CHATSWOOD WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2015

The large ,enthusiastic audience was absolutely entranced by the last Live at Lunch concert for 2015 at the Concourse.  

Jane Rutter’s guests this time were the amazing Grigoryan brothers, Slava and Leonard , dazzling on  classical guitars . They played a range of works from classical/Baroque ( Handel for instance ) to contemporary , composed or arranged by a Grigoryan. We were privileged to experience their splendid  technique, scintillating , captivating sound and fluid rhythmic sense in a tremendous concert .

In 2007, ARIA award winning Slava and his gifted brother Leonard toured as a duo throughout Australia, Asia and the Baltic States as well as recording with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. In 2014 the Grigoryan Brothers released their CD, This Time, to high acclaim. (The CD was available to purchase after the performance.)

Rutter wore a long lacey black gown with a string of pearls, the Grigoryan brothers were elegant in grey suits. They played intensely, with enormous concentration and an obvious bond. When they played it was generally with their eyes closed. They alternated in introducing the various works .

Grigoryan’s Fantasy on a theme by William Lawes that opened the concert was played with a deep intensity . It had a very contemporary sound, yet also a Baroque feel . It was full of swirling rhythms and dialogue between the two, who played their guitars for this piece more like zithers I thought .

Handel’s Organ concerto in B flat major (Arr. E. Grigoryan) came next .It was lighter and more delicate, with cascading repetitions And how the fingers flew! The second movement was precise and filigree , lovelorn and melancholy , the third faster , more vibrant and dancelike. 

 P.I.Tchaikovsky’s  February(Arr. E. Grigoryan) that followed , began blisteringly fast , with hints of his Nutcracker.  The guitars sounded very like a piano in this work .

 Next came Leonard Grigoryan’s powerful, pulsating This Time, somewhat melancholy. It was haunting, shimmering and had the feel of a hypnotic movie soundtrack.

That was followed by R. Towner’s From a Dream, vivid and dramatic with hints of tango , Sarabande, slow ,stately and quite formal and his Duende with a cross between electric guitar and jazz.

R. Gnattali ‘s snazzy , upbeat Chiquinha Gonzaga came next , written in Brazil in the 1950’s , with alternating fast then slower rhythms .You could hear the Flamenco stamps .

Rutter joined the brother for the last part of the concert. For Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Tarrega , slow, seductive , languid and lush , Rutter played a special  silver alto flute .

It was back to her ‘standard’ flute for Mas Que Nada by Ben Jor .The flute fluttered and soared , while  the guitars kept up a rumbling , insistent melody .All three musicians were totally immersed in the music.

The Mayor of Willoughby appeared and thanked Rutter and the Grigoryans and Rutter announced next year’s most exciting season (Quick!  Book now! )  There was thunderous applause and excitement

As she left the stage , concluding the concert and heading to lunch , Rutter played a Christmas melody on her piccolo. Next year’s concerts are eagerly awaited.  

Running time 1 hr 15 minutes (approx.) no interval

Live at lunch with Grigoryan brothers was at the Concourse Chatswood 25 November 2015  

Programme  :

S. Grigoryan - Fantasy on a theme by William Lawes 

G.F.Handel - Organ concerto in B flat major

(Arr. E. Grigoryan)

 P.I.Tchaikovsky - February

(Arr. E. Grigoryan) 

L. Grigoryan - This Time 

R. Towner - From a Dream, Sarabande, Duende.

 R. Gnattali - Chiquinha Gonzaga

 Recuerdos de la Alhambra -Tarrega

 Mas Que Nada - Ben Jor