Nicolas Altstaedt & Thomas Dunford Musica Viva

 The Baroque era, at its zenith, brought music full of rhythms, intricate fugues, and emotional intensity to people living at a time when music and musicians was a vital part in every day life

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 As Nicolas Altstaedt opened the second part of the Music Viva Program in the Adelaide Town Hall last night, playing Bach’s Cello Suite no 5 in C minor BWV 1011, sitting alone on the large stage, seemingly lost in the music, I had this fanciful thought that maybe Bach, at the end of a tiring day, might have sat with his instrument and played this same group of stylised dances. It was a virtuoso performance and the large audience was drawn in, listening as though in a cocoon of attention which nothing could break. 

The program was not all Bach, but began and concluded with that of Marin Marais, whose music ranged from the thoughtful La Rẽvuse, to the wilder Les Folies d’Espagne and the final piece Les Tourbillon. These were played, not on a viola da gamba, but a cello,  using a baroque bow. 

Thomas Dunford, playing a an Archlute, had his own time with Bach, with  his arrangement of the Cello Suite No 1 in G major. Throughout this and throughout the program he showed, also, an astonishing virtuosity.

The addition of Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel and the short seque of the cello sonata by Duparc seemed at first glance to be out of place, but it worked very well in reflecting the idea that music of today reflects back through the ages and we are enriched by that.

The encore was a Beatles Song with backing supplied by a very enthusiastic and musical audience.

It had been a fascinating, evocative and illuminating concert, performed by two remarkable musicians. Nicolas spoke of his affection for Adelaide, a city he has visited many times. It is to be hoped that this visit will not be the last, and that Thomas can again accompany him.