20 November, Balmain — Concerts for All presented its latest classical concert for children at the Campbell Street Presbyterian Church. It featured six young musicians who brought to life the story of a forgotten garden's revival through works ranging from Mozart to Rimsky-Korsakov.
The story of the garden's awakening unfolded through narration, accompanied by colourful images on a screen. This captivating format was designed to engage young audiences while complementing the programme's classical works. It emphasized the musical characteristics in the narrative and hinted at what to listen for.
As each performer took their place, the garden in the story gradually came to life alongside their music.
Programme
Mozart: Fantasia in D minor, K. 397
Constance Gus (Violin) with pianist Paula Lu
Vivaldi: 'Spring' from The Four Seasons, 1st Movement
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, 1st Movement
Allen Wang (Violin) with pianist Christopher Malek
Bach: Violin Concerto BWV 1041, 3rd Movement
Ian Yan (Violin) with Lili Chang
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20
Blake Tyson: A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumblebee
Musical Storytelling: A Garden-Themed Classical Concert
The story unfolded as a lone bumblebee discovered young musicians at the garden gates, lost on their way to a rehearsal. The bee pleaded for their help in reviving its garden home and led them to a pavilion with mysteriously, and conveniently, abandoned instruments.
'The musicians gape in shock, trying to make sense of a talking bee hovering inches from their noses, inviting them into a forgotten garden with mysteriously abandoned instruments.'
Watch the interaction and the rest of the introduction:
Under the bee's hopeful guidance, Kathy Piao sat at the piano to perform Mozart's Fantasia in D minor. As clouds in the garden narrative released their sadness, her interpretation captured the piece's shifts between contemplative minor passages and moments of warmth. Each musical contrast painted the gradual breaking of sunlight through the clouds.
Constance Gus, with Paula Lu at the piano, brought springtime to life through no other than the first, heraldic, movement of Vivaldi's 'Spring.' Her violin expressed the composer's depiction of the season, with bright phrases and characteristic trills awakening the garden's rhythms and the first hints of purple in the jacaranda buds.
As spring settled in, Jacob Su's performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 mirrored the garden's growing strength. The piece moved from its gentle opening to powerful climaxes, each crescendo bringing life to the ancient trees as soft rain became summer storms. The accompanying visuals of strengthening tree trunks and unfurling leaves helped young listeners follow the music's dramatic progression.
Allen Wang, accompanied by Christopher Malek, furthered the garden's ensuing growth with Bach's Violin Concerto BWV 1041's third movement. The flowing melody and dance-like rhythm gave voice to awakening roses, each phrase encouraging new blooms.
Ian Yan's performance of Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen, with Lili Chang at the piano, became a highlight of the afternoon. His command of the challenging work drew in the audience completely, the virtuosic passages and colourful tones embodying the garden blazing with renewed life.
Then, a new character was introduced: a cricket. Its call pierced through the air and joined the expanding soundscape of the garden. Justin Gao responded at the marimba, his interpretation of Blake Tyson's 'A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun' bringing moments of peace with its resonant tones. It was as the title suggested: it paved the way for sunset and helped bathe the garden in golden hues.
Finally, Justin rendered a spirited performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Flight of the Bumblebee' as a fitting finale to the garden-themed concert. It accompanied the ecstatic bee dancing among the newly opened blooms, celebrating the garden's renewal.
Enjoy this excerpt of Justin's Flight of the Bumblebee performance on the marimba:
A performer's parent, who was also his collaborating pianist, remarked:
It was an amazing experience playing in the Concert for All concert with other excellent young musicians. Music is a treasure and Concert for All is a wonderful organisation promoting music to the young generation.
An audience member further praised the concert's performance level:
The performance of all the children was fantastic. It was brilliant. Very, very well played by all instruments. An eye-opener. You should actually bring your children, to play and see what you can do.
A Platform of Discovery and Engagement
In the middle of rehearsals, children and families from after-school activities in the church premises were drawn in. Several kids paused to listen to the music; some were new to classical music while others were learning instruments themselves. Their genuine interest showed how classical music can connect with new audiences through both top-quality performances and presentation.
Opening Music Trivia: Name the Piece and Composer
The concert began by inviting the audience to engage directly with the music. Through Concerts for All's signature music trivia game, listeners identified the titles and composers of pieces being played on the piano, showcasing renowned classical masterpieces by Beethoven, Mozart and Vivaldi.
Hands-on Instrument Exploration
The engagement continued after the performance as audience members gathered around the instruments, trying the marimba under Justin's guidance while others explored Concerts for All's violin and cello and the church's Steinway piano. These hands-on experiences often provide the first spark of interest in learning an instrument, even in adults. By setting a welcoming environment that encourages curiosity, attendees get to joyfully explore—fueling interest in classical music at any age.
This event format invites both new and experienced concertgoers to discover classical music. Every segment encourages listening and exploration, reflecting the belief that classical music has much to offer to all.
Free Resources Beyond Concerts and Into Homes
Recognising that musical engagement extends beyond concerts into daily life, Concerts for All has developed free music listening and appreciation resources, curated by its founding music educators. Through its '1 Hour a Day' music listening campaign, complete with guides for educators and parents, it encourages daily engagement with classical music. With these resources and its concerts, Concerts for All aims to foster a habit of listening, concert attendance, and instrument learning.
Future Developments
New programs will be announced in early 2025, including masterclasses and lecture recitals that create opportunities for emerging artists over 16 years old. The organisation will also strengthen its community presence through venue partnerships, bringing classical performances to more public spaces across Sydney.
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