'String Revolution,' presented by Honour Productions, showcased a mesmerising fusion of classical elegance and rock-and-roll energy.
Act One: Classical Quartet
The first act of 'String Revolution' opened with a classical performance by the talented quartet of Joshua Smith, Nyssa Corney, Courtney Sanders, and Hyewon Chang. The synchronicity between these musicians was undeniable, while each one delivered their solo lines with incredible texture and an almost visual storytelling, as though they could see the music itself. The lighting matched the mood of each piece so perfectly, often illuminating the musicians from behind and bathing the stage in an ambient glow. During the moody tone of Rachmaninoff's 'Allegro Moderato', the atmosphere was enhanced by fog and red lighting, creating a striking silhouette of the quartet.
Each note was amplified well, filling the intimate venue where around 80 attendees had gathered to witness these musicians up close. And this intimate setting created a closeness that made the performance all the more powerful. It is a stark contrast to the detached experience of sitting far away from an orchestra in a vast concert hall.
A highlight of this act was an original composition titled 'Fair Winds and Following Seas' by 22-year-old composer Imogen Ferdinando. This composition depicted the non-linear journey of grief and healing in a breathtaking way. The rich, deep sounds of the cello paired harmoniously with the interplay of the other instruments, resembling the clash of waves - each element unpredictable yet perfectly synchronised. At one point, the chaotic dissonance of the melodies created the illusion of separate songs being played, only to come together into a satisfying resolution. It was a stunning moment, easily the most compelling composition of the act.
The classical quartet also explored the haunting melodies of 'Oppenheimer' and 'Knives Out', with the latter’s tricky timing and glissandos creating an auditory experience that itched my brain just right. The Mozart number, on the other hand, transported the audience to 1772, evoking the whimsical elegance reminiscent of a Jane Austen novel. The entire act was filled with layered melodies and dynamic choices that kept us enthralled.
Act Two: The Rock Set
The second half of the evening was a complete 180, in the best possible way. The rock act, featuring Kat Augustakis and Asa Deacon on electric fiddles, Nicholas Tam on electric cello, Elias Kokkoris on double bass, and supported by Sam Hewerdine (keys), Marius Angelo (bass), Nathanael Clyde Tadle (drums), and Mitchell Patullo (electric guitar), opened with an electrifying rendition of 'Smooth Criminal'. Right from the start, the atmosphere was charged with energy, and it didn’t let up for the rest of the night.
By the second song, Fall Out Boy's 'Thnks fr th Mmrs', the bow strings were already snapping from the intensity of the performance. The stadium-level lighting had me feeling like I was at a rock concert, not a string ensemble show. The standout number of this act was 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Kat Augustakis, the mastermind behind the arrangement of these rock songs, deserves massive credit—what a talent!
'Crazy Train' allowed the electric guitar to shine, and Mitchell Patullo absolutely slayed the solo. The emotional pull of 'Nothing Else Matters' was enhanced by Elias' powerful double bass resonating so deeply you could feel it in your bones. Marius seduced the audience with a bass solo that paved the way for a mashup of 'Seven Nation Army' and 'Sweet Dreams'. A playful nod to 'Bluey' preceded Bon Jovi’s 'You Give Love a Bad Name', and by the time that number hit I found myself fully wanting to headbang! The entire band was clearly having the time of their lives, and their enthusiasm was infectious.
They closed with some INSANE finger work by Kat and Asa in 'Afterlife', but the encore—where all 12 musicians from both acts returned to perform the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' theme together—was the most memorable moment of the night. The collective power of all those instruments created an epic finale that radiated an undeniable sense of joy. It’s a rare treat to see such versatility in a single music performance, and Honour Productions has certainly delivered an experience that I won’t soon forget.
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