AFTER a year of concert postponements and cancellations the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium re-opened its doors in spectacular fashion and left a packed house on their feet asking for more.

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The Conservatorium’s newest staff member, Maggie Pang, opened the concert with a solo piano performance of Bach’s Chaconne which mesmerised the audience.

Annabelle Swainston joined Maggie on stage for the second performance as they played Leos Janacek’s Sonata on violin and piano.

As described in the program notes, this piece is, “Typical of the mature Janacek in its general style, in the way melodic fragments are tersely repeated and juxtaposed, with some of the quality of direct speech, and combined with accompaniment patterns that also repeat short rhythmic gestures.”

Following the interval, Caleb Murray (cello), Daniel Lopez (violin) and Patrick Brearley (viola) joined Maggie and Annabelle on stage to perform Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet and brought the concert to a close to a rapturous applause.

Viola player and Conservatorium Director, Patrick Brearley, was delighted with the concert and could not contain his excitement following the final chord of the Schumann, beaming a huge smile to his colleagues on stage that reflected both the journey and a flawless performance.

“As the final note was played I was so proud to have brought this opportunity to our community following a tough year of postponements and cancellations in 2020.

“To share this performance with my colleagues on stage in front of such a great audience reflected the vision and mission of the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium and was a brilliant way to start the year,” said Brearley.

“Our next Sunday Series Concert is on May 2 and features the wonderful duo, Peter de Jager, Piano, Lloyd Van’t Hoff, Clarinet, and I’ll be joining them on stage for a beautiful trio by Max Bruch,” Brearley said.

Thirteen year old Koby Clarke studies piano and viola at the Conservatorium and was inspired by the performance.
“I was awed by the performance, the skill, the musicality.

“Two of the performers teach me at the Conservatorium, it’s inspiring to know that my practise will go beyond the next lesson and exam, I am so grateful that these awesome people come together to produce music like this and that I get to be a part of it,” said Koby.

By David WIGLEY