Johnnies & Mehmets

I went to the SXS Sunset Soirée Series for Johnnies & Mehmets expecting a sombre commemoration of the relationship between Australian and Turkish armed forces during the Gallipoli campaign – the program’s title comes from the Kemal Atatürk Memorial in Canberra, a tribute to the fallen Anzacs (Johnnies) and their brotherhood with the Turkish soldiers (Mehmets):

“… You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours ...”

However, there was nothing sombre about the musical choices of SXS Co-Artistic Director and international violinist extraordinaire, Margaret Blades (Guest Leader, Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra, and former Concertmaster of WASO and ASO), making this a joyous celebration of international friendship that was uplifting and inspiring. Margaret’s recent trip to Turkey was the inspiration for the program of traditional Middle Eastern folk music, work by local composers, and an Australian premiere by contemporary Turkish musician, Fazil Say. This was a perfect combination of pieces for an afternoon of entertainment, performed by masters in their musical crafts, presented by the vivacious Margaret, in conjunction with the entertaining percussionist, Dave Kemp (Dave Kemp Trio, QSO, Camerata), who just happens to be a specialist in the Darbuka drum and vibraphone which add so much energy to the musical presentation. The ensemble was completed by internationally renowned concert pianist, Roger Cui (Queensland Ballet), and a pleasant surprise addition of Catherina Kemp on clarinet (Dave’s partner in life as well as in music). As Dave pointed out: “the clarinet is to Turkish music what the electric guitar is to rock and roll!” So, this was a very special quartet indeed.

Margaret started by reading the tribute by Kemal Atatürk, making this soirée a celebration of the musical mateship between Eastern and Western tunes that makes this music so irresistible. First was ‘Room of the Saints’ by Brisbane-based Gerard Brophy, with the Darbuka taking centre stage in a lively piece. Then a traditional tune, ‘Azize’, before the engaging and hypnotic ‘Repeti-ti-tion’ by Australian, Matthew Hindson. This was followed by the Australian premiere of ‘1001 Nights in the Harem’ by Fazil Say – an exotic violin concerto in four movements, inspired by the tales of Scheherazade’s ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, arranged here for violin, piano, drums, vibraphone, and clarinet. What a Turkish delight! We stayed in the Middle East for a tradition folk tune ‘Hicazkar’, (which features the familiar rhythmic melody stolen in the 1970s for the hit song ‘Rasputin’ by German pop sensations, Boney M, proving that Eastern treasures have always happily fused with European music). Dave Kemp then introduced his own dynamic composition, ‘Dark Waltz’, a piece inspired by visiting Turkey and witnessing the combination of European and Middle Eastern architecture. Dave succeeded in replicating this with his music by blending the European format with some “extra herbs and spices”. This exotic waltz is a wonderful piece, with some spectacular clarinet work by Catherina. While the audience stopped short of breaking into dance, they were definitely applauding enthusiastically at the close. A fitting conclusion was provided by Mozart and his familiar and uplifting ‘Rondo Alla Turca’.

This was a brilliant program that is sure to move and inspire. Your toes will be tapping, and you might even find yourself dancing along. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this exciting musical mix. And, in the lead-up to Anzac Day, it is a fitting way to reflect on the friendships forged in conflict and how music can magically echo our similarities as well as our differences in a creative space that we can all enjoy together.

If you are lucky enough to live in the Scenic Rim, Johnnies & Mehmets will be reprised at the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery on 6 April and the Mt Alford School of Arts on 26 April. Treat yourself!

Beth Keehn

Photo credit: Southern Cross Soloists

Find out more about SXS: www.southernxsoloists.com