I thought I was conservative about music. Nevertheless, the “Antarctica” suite of Nigel Westlake truly mesmerised and took us to different worlds.
I was pleasantly surprised, as I was expecting discordant sounds of the 20th century wannabe classical music of some rare composer, trying so hard to be different than their predecessors; and then failing in beauty and harmony.
Westlake proves that to create that beauty and harmony is possible without repetition of the past oeuvres.
Listening to the guitar of the inimitable virtuoso Slava Grigoryan live on stage was an added bonus.
The second part was even more interesting and captivating for me, for I found the melodies of my long-departed homeland in it.
The third piece had rhythms which would be quite at home at a Russian or Turkish wedding.
I almost got up and started to dance.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such melody from an Australian composer.
Lior, of course has a beautiful voice which added another dimension to the music.
Learning that they first met at the funeral of Nigel Westlake’s son Eli was too sad, but what a beautiful collaboration!
Elvan Turak
