AYO Blog
AYO National Music Camp 2025: ‘Fires of Indigo’ Concert Review
By Sophia Mackson
One of the last orchestral performances of the National Music Camp is taking place on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Our orchestras are playing Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, Holst’s The Perfect Fool Suite, and Frank Bridge’s Three Idylls, and the audience is packed.
First up is the Walsh Chamber Orchestra. This year, it is named in honour of Michele Walsh, an associate professor at Queensland Conservatorium, an NMC violin tutor, and a teacher of numerous AYO musicians. The Walsh Orchestra moves as one through the Three Idylls, creating a unified sound that resonates across the stage. Each phrase is passionately written and flows together. Andrew Haveron, who has been conducting the orchestra for the past two weeks, deserves praise for the arrangement, which was adapted from a string quartet. Special recognition should also be given to Darius Goh’s viola solo, which is expertly complemented by the viola section. What a fitting way to sum up the past two weeks, and as Andrew himself stated, “I’m British; I’m not one to emote openly… but it has been two weeks to remember.”
The Bishop Orchestra, led by Natalia Luis-Bassa, will play next. The Perfect Fool Suite begins with a grandiose trombone that evokes a lively and cheerful response from the orchestra. The orchestra gives the piece the impact it needs. Tirion Luff-White’s program notes, which give background information and instruction on the work’s plot, go hand in hand with it. The varying elements, such the shimmering moments in the woodwinds that symbolise the Water Spirit, are highlighted by the colours and depth offered.We experience the highs and lows of a complex and contrasted performance, which is brilliantly depicted by Luis-Bassa and the orchestra.
The Alexander Orchestra, led by Alexander Briger, performs Sibelius’ Second Symphony as the concert’s last act. The symphony’s opening is brilliantly performed. With the elegance of a professional orchestra, the strings blend incredibly nicely together in their semiquaver sections. As the piece progresses, the orchestra skilfully and passionately traverses the highs and lows. There are passages of total darkness that are treated with such care as the symphony approaches the halfway point. The remarkable storytelling of each phrase as the piece develops demonstrates the young musicians’ extraordinary talent and just what can be accomplished in a week. The audience erupts in applause as the symphony concludes, and everyone agrees that what we have just experienced is truly magnificent.
What a way to wrap up one of the final concerts of AYO’s National Music Camp Summer Festival. The festival has been one to remember forever.