BY LAURA BIEMMI
Join us throughout the week as we bring you our official countdown to the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, kicking off July 1! You’ll get to read about the composers, performers, judges, and more from some of CutCommon’s leading writers.
The Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition nurtures and promotes the world’s most vibrant young chamber groups.
But MICMC doesn’t always have to search the globe for such ensembles – some can be found right at home.
The Clarendon Trio is an Australian piano trio based in Melbourne, and has established a solid reputation for itself as a compelling and musically intelligent ensemble.
We speak to cellist Jonathan Békés about the importance of chamber music, its conversational capabilities, and what it’s like to be the only Australian ensemble competing in the MICMC.
Congratulations on securing a place in the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition! How does it feel to be a part of this world-renowned competition?
It feels wonderful! We’re really proud to be the only group representing Australia at the MICMC – we’ll be flying the flag high and proud!
Right now, there is still lots of repertoire to prepare, and the competition is always very tough, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.
What makes your ensemble unique in its approach to chamber music?
At our heart of everything we do is personality. We aspire to excellence, but we pursue personality in our interpretations and performance above all else.
What are some of your favourite elements of the repertoire you’ll be performing?
We love the sheer variety of styles that we will be presenting at the MICMC. Getting inside the language of each individual composer is a really exciting exercise, and something that constantly brings new light on the pieces that we play.
We love the conversation of chamber music – the dialogue and drama that music enables us to explore inspires us on all levels, and it is a pleasure and a great responsibility to bring this to life in performance.
What is the highlight of your time together as an ensemble?
Our highlight so far would be winning first place in the Australian National Academy of Music Chamber Music Competition 2017.
What would winning MICMC mean for your ensemble?
Winning this competition would be truly amazing for Clarendon Trio. We’ve put in a serious amount of work into our performance, and to come away with something like that would be incredible.
To be the only group representing Australia at MICMC is an achievement that we’re very proud of, so we’re going to put in everything we can and do Australia proud.
Why is playing chamber music important for musicians?
Chamber music, in our opinion, is the ultimate fusion of the individual and the team. It’s incredibly challenging but extremely rewarding, and a truly wonderful aspect of performance for musicians. It demands incredible individual precision, and a single-mindedness across all players. And, just quietly, it’s a lot of fun!
How can this form of music help musicians connect with audiences?
It’s the most personable and conversational form of music. Audiences are not confronted by a stage of a hundred people; and yet, they are not presented with a singular monologue. Chamber music brings to an audience interaction, intimacy and individuality: at its purest, it brings true inspiration.
How do you think MICMC will shape the future of chamber music?
Competitions like this inspire the world’s best to chase perfection. What could possibly be better for the future of chamber music?
And before we sign off…what are your expectations about music in Australia?
Often, the stereotype is that everything of worth in classical music is overseas and that musicians have to spend time in far-away lands to become proficient in their art. We’re passionate that Australia is a truly inspirational centre for music and culture and we’re incredibly proud to be showcasing this to the world.
Watch Johnathan Békés perform with the Clarendon Trio in the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, 1-8 July. For full details visit the website.
This year, Stephanie is working with Musica Viva to help promote the artistic talent bringing you MICMC. She has brought some of CutCommon’s leading writers along for the ride, and you’ll get to read some of their story commissions throughout the week as part of our MICMC Countdown!
