Roger Benedict in Pearl Beach

Roger Benedict with Viola
(and Simon Tedeschi in background)

Last night Roger Benedict, Principal Viola with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, gave a concert with well known pianist Simon Tedeschi in the small Pearl Beach Community Hall. It felt like one of those small venue concerts in Europe, great crowd, great acoustics and wonderful enthusiasm. And fantastic playing! So nice to hear more of the viola.

The concert was is part of the June long-weekend two day music festival organised by the Pearl Beach Progress Association. Long may they continue.

Simon Tedeschi and Kevin Hunt

Simon Tedeschi and Kevin Hunt play two pianos

Tedeschi and Hunt

Last night Simon Tedeschi and Kevin Hunt played two pianos at the fourth and last concert of the Pearl Beach Festival program. I didn't have high expectations; I was wondering what two pianos could do better than one and the program was a bit jazzy, not my favourite. But the concert was wonderful. It was almost all jazz apart from one Bach (which they also jazzed up but very sympathetically), very high energy and lots of fun. It was like being in a NY jazz den but without the smoke. As a result I was still bouncing around the house at midnight and I woke this morning at 6 still feeling energised.

The Pearl Beach Festival is a little oasis in the wilderness. It reminds me of the local concerts I've been to around Hamburg, held in small churches and even cow stalls (well, a historic cow stall actually). Small intimate space, great musicians, organisers who care.  Long may they continue.

Simon Tedeschi plays piano

Simon Tedeschi played piano at the Pearl Beach Festival with Ian Cooper on violin. They were charasmatic and fun. The chairs were in a semi-circle and from my viewpoint far left I could see Tedeschi face-on as he looked across to Cooper. He seemed to be all eyes as they communicated. Great show - thanks guys!
(More here)

Tedeschi plays piano

Jane Rutter plays flute

Among performers at the Pearl Beach Festival last weekend were the Enigma Quartet, Simon Tedeschi (piano) with Ian Cooper (violinist),  Jane Rutter (flute) with singer Peter Cousens.
Jane Rutter was difficult to draw as she moved all the time, walking from one and of the stage to the other and swaying back and forth as well. But occasionally I caught a brief glimpse of her face as she played.

Jane Rutter plays flute

You can see the sketches of most of the performers here.

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