More reviews from recent live performances by Cinque artists:
Tarita Botsman, soprano: premiere season of Queensland Theatre’s ‘Round the Twist‘ – at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (November-December 2024)
- “the Gribbles are beautifully played by Tarita Botsman (wow, the top notes of this operatic soprano are both unexpected and jaw dropping)” – StageWhispers, Nov 2024
- “David James and Tarita Botsman serve as the villainous Mr and Mrs Gribble, complete with an evil anthem that showcases Botsman’s famous operatic talent.” – StageBuzz, 2024
- “casting is pretty perfect… Tarita Botsman’s (Matron Gribble) opera training gives the songs an entertaining and surprising high trill.” – Scenestr, Nov 2024
- “The character roles are all splendid. David James in his pink suit and comb-over hair sings powerfully, his Harold Dribble an oily, despicable character. As his wife, Tarita Botsman, with her cheap gold jewellery and tiger print suit, is impressive, not least in providing operatic additions to the score.” – ArtsHub, Nov 2024
Paavali Jumppanen, piano:
“Finnish piano virtuoso Paavali Jumppanen performed two behemoths from the piano literature: Pierre Boulez’s Piano Sonata No.2, and Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier). Neither work is for the faint hearted, and Finnish virtuoso Paavali Jumppanen is clearly not that. The two compositions, when paired in a single performance, present an Everest of a challenge to the performer, and Paavali Jumppanen is both Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay rolled into one. Not only are the two works fiendishly difficult to play, but they also make huge demands on the listener. … barely before the sounds of the crushing final fortissimo B-flat major chord began to fade, the audience leapt to their feet almost as one and enthusiastically applauded, cheered, whistled and shouted “bravo!” at what was undoubtedly an extraordinary pianistic and musical feat. One member of the audience within earshot of this reviewer could be overheard to remark that this was surely the highlight of the festival.”
– The Barefoot Review, March 2025 (live review, Adelaide Festival, Boulez & Beethoven, Elder Hall) – full review here
“The performance by pianist Paavel Jumppanen was ideal. His phrasing was perfect… You will not hear a finer performance.”
– San Diego Reader, February 2025 (Beethoven ‘Emperor’ concerto, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, cond. Osmo Vanska)
Simon Tedeschi, piano:
“Simon Tedeschi’s playing at the piano was magnificent. Nobody would have expected any less, given his reputation as one of the world’s most thoughtful and expressive pianists. In this performance, Tedeschi certainly did not disappoint, and the audience was treated to a masterclass of collaborative excellence as the piano and violin shone together on the stage. Of particular note was Tedeschi’s control and lyricism in Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3, a fiendishly difficult piece that Grieg himself debuted in 1886.”
– What’s the Show, March 2025 (live review, Live At Yours recital tour (Sydney, Melbourne, Castlemaine) with violinist Yamen Saadi)
Andrea Lam, piano:
“a joy to watch… Lam’s solos were mesmerising, not a murmur in the audience.”
– The Local Paper, February 2025 (live review, Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/cond. Jaime Martin)
“… Lam’s mesmerising recording… listening is obviously a must.. These are consummately crafted, and refreshingly original pieces… Sad Piano offers a wealth of beautifully conceived and emotionally intelligent music that succeeds in rising far above most of the ambient piano music in the “new classical” genre. These deeply rewarding pieces seem guaranteed to speak abundantly to players and audiences alike. … the internal terrain of Hindson’s music speaks to our continuing human experience. These are compositions of enduring value, and the whole album is a balm to the soul.”
– Andrew Eales, pianodao.com, January 2025 (‘Sad Piano‘ album review)
