The ANAM Concerto Competition is a mainstay event every year at ANAM. This year our three finalists are double bass player Oakley Paul (WA), violinist Harry Egerton (QLD) and cellist Joshua Jones (QLD).
In the lead up to the Melbourne final preview, performed with Associate Faculty on 15 October, and the final with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on 28 October, we asked our three finalists about the works they're playing, what inspired them to learn these epic concertos and the significance of becoming finalists.
Q: Can you tell us about the piece you will be performing in the ANAM Concerto Competition Final? What inspired you to choose this piece?
Oakley: I’m playing the Koussevitzky concerto which is one of the few standard concerti we have in the repertoire. The piece is full of Russian romanticism that really demonstrates the richness of the instrument. It has a mixture of intense declaratory statements and incredibly lyrical passages all in this famous bel canto style that we bass players are very familiar with. Honestly, the reason this piece sticks out to me would be for it's second movement alone. That is some really special music.
Q: How are you preparing to compete in the ANAM Concerto Competition Final emotionally and mentally. Is there anything you do to manage your emotions to perform at your best?
Obviously stepping up to a bigger stage and bigger audience can be daunting, but for me, I'm really choosing to enjoy the experience. There is a competitive element of course, but I think focussing too much on that can cloud the real intention of the performance. Another important feeling for me, is a feeling of trust. To have the TSO's support and professionalism through the week and during the concert, I'm sure I'll feel quite safe up there.
Q: What are your future goals and how does becoming an ANAM Concerto Competition finalist fit into your career aspirations?
I love the orchestral scene. There is something so fulfilling when playing with so many others. To get through requires a lot of auditioning and experience. Throughout Europe, I think it's expected that players have competition experience especially for principal jobs. The opportunity to perform with one of Australia's flagship orchestras, is something that is special to me and something I absolutely don't take for granted.
Q: How do you plan to approach collaboration with the conductor and orchestra when you compete in Hobart?
I feel fortunate to be working with both James and the orchestra again. Earlier this year, James conducted some programs at the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp, which was my first experience with him. I found his control and intention to be very clear and really respected his attitude to music making. Likewise, earlier this year I got to partake in the TSO/ANAM side-by-side project at their Gala concert. We played some fantastic repertoire, and it was such a joy to sit in their own bass section. I'm very much looking forward to going back!
Q: Why has competing in the ANAM Concerto Competition been important for your musical growth?
Well as bass players, opportunities to perform with an orchestra are about as rare as they come. Through the rounds of the competition, it was just great to play a full concerto to an audience. I think the soloistic side of the instrument is easily neglected, and so I hope I can introduce (or re-introduce) an audience to some great music they may not have heard before.
Q: Can you tell us about the piece you will be performing in the ANAM Concerto Competition Final? What inspired you to choose this piece?
Harry: I’ve chosen Bartok’s Concerto No. 2, because it is both a favourite of mine and a developmentally useful piece. This concerto reflects many elements of Bartok's musical life, including romantic lyricism, modern chromatism, and Hungarian folk melodies. This rich combination of elements makes the work very satisfying to both play and to listen to. Perhaps due to the added input of dedicatee Josef Szekely, this work is also highly effective for the violin, using much of the instrument's timbral and virtuosic possibilities.
Q: Can you tell us about the piece you will be performing in the ANAM Concerto Competition Final? What inspired you to choose this piece?
Josh: The piece I will be performing is Prokofiev’s Symphony Concerto in E minor, although a healthy percentage of the piece was written alongside Mstislav Rostropovich, who premiered the piece in 1952. This piece has always been on my bucket list and I remember myself obsessing over it even at twelve years old. I never got around to learning or performing it until this year and it has been an extremely rewarding experience.
Hear Oakley, Harry and Josh perform their concerto's at:
ANAM CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL PREVIEW (MELBOURNE)
SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 3PM
ROSINA AUDITORIUM, ABBOTSFORD CONVENT
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TSO ANAM CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL (HOBART)
SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 7.30PM
FEDERATION CONCERT HALL, HOBART
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The ANAM Concerto Competition is generously supported by Lady Potter AC