The 2025 Bowral Autumn Music Festival, now the 18th in its history, continued the precedent set by past festivals of quality performances from a range of Australia’s leading performers, in the beautiful venue of St Jude’s Church, Bowral. Artistic Director, Vatche Jambazian drew from his wide network of first-class musicians to bring us programs that combined virtuosic performances with varied styles and periods of music.

 

The Festival commenced with a very moving performance of Schubert’s Winterreise, from baritone, David Greco and pianist, Vatche Jambazian. So much sentiment is conveyed in this classic song cycle and both artists imbued the performance with heartfelt emotion

 

On Day 2 the St Jude’s organ came into its own with a wonderful recital by Alessandro Pittorino, who played a range of works including Bach, Saint-Saёns, Widor and arrangements of Offenbach and Johann Strauss II. That evening we were privileged to hear a virtuoso performance from solo violinist, Kristian Winther who gave breath-taking performances of the Max Reger Chaconne and a Bach sonata and partita, both of epic proportions.

 

Saturday afternoon saw the arrival of the Australian Youth Orchestra Momentum Ensemble. This group of young musicians were central to the concert with their performance of a variety of works. The program included the cello solo, Alone by Giovanni Sollima performed by Hung Suk Bae, Fratres by Arvo Pӓrt, a harpsichord concerto by Henryk Gόrecki, with Vatche Jambazian as soloist, a string symphony by C.P.E. Bach, and the atmospheric piece Early Morning by contemporary Australian composer, Andrew Howes. As well we were delighted to hear William Barton and Veronique Serret with Delmae Barton in their performance of Bushfire Requiem which they composed in remembrance of the 2020 Black Summer bushfires and the regeneration of the landscape. The didjeridoo was also central to the performance of Pelican Song composed by William and Veronique. The St Jude’s auditorium was able to accommodate the large audience which included a number of younger members of the community.

 

Concert 6 on Saturday evening was a spectacular performance by Slava and Leonard Grigoryan. These acclaimed guitarists performed their own musical suite, This is Us: a musical reflection of Australia, composed during the pandemic lockdown. The work took us on a journey from the past of early indigenous Australians to contemporary Australian society with a series of compositions accompanied by projected images of artefacts in the National Museum of Australia. The brothers spoke to each other through their music and array of guitars with warmth and emotion that was beautifully conveyed to the audience.

 

The final day of the Festival played host to the classical accordionist, James Crabb. He is a most engaging performer and his program, which included Grieg, Rameau, Takahashi and Piazzolla, was an excellent exposé of the range and breadth of his chosen instrument. A generous gesture of a Scottish lament for an encore brought a tear to the eye.

 

The Festival is more than a series of concerts. There were organ preludes played by James Flores before three performances. As well, three armchair chats with the Artistic Director were an added bonus. The first of these was with local identity and famous Australian composer, Ann Carr-Boyd. Vatche set the scene perfectly by playing one of Ann’s piano works, A Day in Taralga, before chatting with her about her musical life journey. The second pre-concert discussion was with Kimbali Harding (AYO CEO) who told us how she arrived at her association with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the enjoyment she has in working with such talented young musicians. The third chat was with James Crabb who entertained us with stories of his career and his fascination with the accordion which started when he was a young child.

 

To conclude the Festival, Allan Beavis and the St Jude’s Chamber Choir accompanied by Brett McKern (organ), Nicole Hammill (violin) and Andrea Biddle (cello) performed at the Festival Service delivered by the Reverend Gavin Perkins. BAMF is an opportunity for renewing friendships and sharing the warmth of community participation and mutual appreciation of fine music. We are indebted to Rev. Gavin Perkins for his generosity in providing St Jude’s and its facilities as a perfect venue. We are also most grateful to Artistic Director, Vatche Jambazian and Executive Officer, Eliza Corley, both of whom have excelled in bringing the Festival to fruition. Thanks must also go to the Festival Committee who provide support in the organisation of this wonderful event on our cultural calendar.