Reviewed by Anthony Harkin
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, 14/09/16, I ventured to the Holy Family Maroubra to attend "Winters Romance" presented by Duo Vermilion. I was unexpectedly astonished by the performance of "Violin Concerto" by Tommy Tycho. No mean feat given other featured composers were Richard Strauss and Beethoven.
In Australia Tommy Tycho is widely known as an arranger for television and associated industries. He illustrates great depth in his composition that I am sure enlighten people who would tie-in his name with black and white television.
Maria Lindsay, violinist par excellence, tackled the piece with considerable passion, flair and grace. It was no accident that she has a profound affinity as the piece is dedicated to her. As large an honour as that is, Maria displayed that she was a well chosen "muse". After meeting Tycho in the late 1990's she was asked by him in 2002 to sight read a piece, unaware of its dedication. It was premiered in 2010. "I continue to grow with it" says Maria, "It is a personal relationship to cherish- the more I play it, the more room there is to move".
In the present reality of 10 million dollar violins and "celebrity" musicians there appears to be a danger of a more organic approach being drowned in a sea of self promotion.
Maria is a wonderful world class violinist and Tycho has given us a concerto worthy of much attention. Much analysis could be made of the demanding technical requirements and , as Maria says, " scrumptious harmonies" but suffice to say that it is very pleasing in every aspect.
Maria will perform the concerto, with piano accompaniment, at the Blackheath Uniting Church, Saturday 20th August at 2.30pm and with orchestral accompaniment at the Holy Family Maroubra on 11th October.
Maria states "For me, the concerto is a never-ending joy to practice and perform", for the rest of us it is a never-ending joy to appreciate.
Ticket details at maria@lco.org.au.