Review: I Shall Hear in Heaven
Picture (L to R): John Granger Fisher (Pianist ). Graeme Jennings (violin), (Warwick Adeney, Leader & Violin), Yoko Okayasu (Viola) and Matthew Kinmont (cello). Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
4MBS is celebrating 30 years of its much-loved ‘Festival of Classics’ with a program of 30 concerts taking place over 30 days (12 May-11 June, 2023)—including the Australian premiere of I Shall Hear in Heaven.
Created and performed by writer/director/actor Tama Matheson, I Shall Hear in Heaven is a dramatic run through elements of Beethoven’s life, beautifully illustrated with the composer’s music. The Masonic Memorial Centre Grand Hall provided a beautiful setting for the show, enabling the Director to place the pianist (John Granger Fisher) and string quartet (led by Warwick Adeney [violin], and including Graeme Jennings [violin], Yoko Okayasu [viola and recorder] and Matthew Kinmont [cello]) in the centre of the room. The actors performed around the musicians—using the Masonic Hall furniture to create two main ‘stages’ at either end of the room (and, occasionally, one ‘midway’ performance point). Audience members were seated along the longer sides of the room, in tiered seating that afforded great views of the production. One fellow audience member did reflect that this was occasionally like watching a tennis match, but I enjoyed the tale and was entranced at the music.
If you love Beethoven’s music then I am sure you probably bought tickets for one of the two performances this weekend. I am certain you would not have been disappointed at the quality of the musicianship, and will have loved hearing extracts from your favourite works. I now know that Beethoven was preoccupied by the string quartet tradition, shaping it into a supreme form of chamber music. Matheson has created a special work that portrays moments in Beethoven’s life, and connects it with his compositions that truly convey a special variety of human emotions and passion.
Picture: Tama Matheson (Beethoven). Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture (L to R): Tama Matheson and Francis McMahon (Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Vanessa Moltzen (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: I Shall Hear in Heaven. Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Congratulations to Francis McMahon and Vanessa Moltzen, who acted as occasional narrators and played the roles of Beethoven’s various love interests, friends, family and patrons. And a quick ‘bravo’ to Tama Matheson (Beethoven) on the writing, directing and acting.
The Grand Masonic Hall is a an impressive space, but I gather that the amplified voices sounded much better in the front rows than at the back of the room. As a performance piece, I suggest that I Shall Hear in Heaven would benefit from being a little shorter. Perhaps editing out some of the scenes (for example, the soldiers) and having less narration, would enable to show to have a one hour first ‘act’ that would leave the interval audience reflecting on a more uplifting note. I’d also suggest a program that lists the references for each of those beautiful pieces of music. However, these are minor suggestions for any future development; the Australian premiere semi-standing ovation was well-deserved.
Well done, 4MBS; an excellent addition to your celebratory 30 years program. Here’s to the next 30+ years!
Picture: I Shall Hear in Heaven. Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Audience information: I Shall Hear in Heaven (3-4 June, 2023), Grand Hall, Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann Street, Brisbane. 2hr 45 minutes (including 30 minute interval). Occasional mature themes (I suggest 15+). Tickets $25-45 (general admission).
The reviewer attended the Australian premiere performance (2pm, Saturday 3 June, 2023)