Paul Dyer Archive

The recorder – mainly the descant – is responsible for turning generations of school children off making music from a very early age. A featureless instrument in many ways, its flat tone conjures out-of-tune ensembles parping away amongst the pencil shavings in a …

A program of Beethoven symphonies too often gives modern orchestras an excuse to really blast and shake the concert hall rafters. After all, Beethoven’s symphonies are full of pile-driving riffs and slammin’ power-chords. It’s all very exciting – as any heavy metal is …

It was the perfect image for what we were hearing. An Apple laptop, all sleek silver skin and, a few feet back on the same stage, Tommie Andersson’s theorbo, that intriguing steam-punk lute-like instrument from the Baroque. Almost 300 years separate these …

I sometimes wonder if artistic director Paul Dyer chooses his troupe and soloists on the basis of good looks. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (ABO) is a cut above the usual aesthetic standards of classical ensembles.  But maybe their palpable cheerfulness just lends …

Outside it was a grey, hostile, traffic snarled, drizzly Sydney evening but here in the City Recital Centre it was warm, golden and all at peace. I felt all my angst, peak hour jitters and parking station traumas drop away like moldy …

Italian baroque violinist Stefano Montanari has wowed audiences in the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s latest concert Celebrazione! now at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place. His violin sang, danced and cried as Montanari, dressed in tight leather pants and boots, delighted both the …

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a composer whose work spans the entire breadth of what it is to be human. From ribald ditties to almost ‘pop’ hits of his day to soaring, achingly spiritual works, his music covers everything. His genius, of course, …

The wonderful time machine that is the modern period ensemble is one of the true delights of music today. When that ensemble has as much fun as the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the delight is doubled. Under the direction (and buoyant spirit) of …