Watch Annie Ma performing an extract from Manuel de Falla - La Vida Breve, Dance No. 1. Thanks to sound engineer and filmmaker Joshua Winestock

The BlueScope Gallery was an ideal space for Piano Music from Spain, the inaugural Emerging Artist Concert. Originally the Wollongong Council Chambers, this space is beautifully designed with a wonderful acoustic.

The Gallery was almost full and while booking is not essential, the turnout for the first concert suggests that reserving a seat is advisable.

The audience was diverse, ranging from the very young to the very elderly, to those who could walk and those who needed assistance and for some it was their first opportunity to attend a classical concert.

Art and Music

Concerts in the Gallery naturally lead us to draw connections between music and visual art. The first concert included a performance of “Coloquio en la rej” (Conversations through the Grate) from the Goyescas; by Enrique Granados, a work inspired by the artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828). It is said that Granados and a friend of his would dress up in imitation of Goya’s muses (flamboyantly dressed, often gypsy-inspired members of the bohemian working classes) and that Granados drew images in the style of Francisco Goya. The next concert will illuminate the influence of J.S. Bach’s music on artists of the late 19th and 20th centuries, including work by Wassily Kadinsky and Paul Klee.

Beyond this direct connection between works of art and music is the Gallery’s capacity to allow the audience to engage simultaneously with artwork and music, allowing their own connections to emerge.

A Friendly Atmosphere

The friendly atmosphere at the concert was facilitated by host, Ann Lehmann-Kuit, a classical guitarist, and music therapist. Ann guided Annie and Charli into sharing their knowledge and connection to the music with the audience. Charli Baraldi delighted the audience with a selection of traditional and contemporary songs. At first a little over awed by the size of the audience, Charlie responded to their support, her voice relaxing and strengthening throughout her performance.

Annie Ma, an international award-winning pianist, captivated the audience with a combination of her technical mastery and emotional connectivity to a program which evoked the diversity and colour of Spanish culture. With guidance from Ann and Annie the audience clapped tricky Spanish rhythms and imitated Flamenco dance movements enhancing their connectivity and understanding of the music.