Sydney Race Riots

1. The violence continues…and it’s really getting out of hand.

2. Attacks have been reported in Cronulla, Brighton, Tempe, Rockdale, Lekemba, Punchbowl and Peakhurst, which poses a dilemma — of the three routes I could take to my parent’s place, I have to pass through at least one of those suburbs. And reports say they are massing on the main highways, which will also be the road I would have to use. On top of which I have friends that live in Rockdale, Cronulla and Peakhurst. I really hope this will all be over very, very soon.

Dripping Tiger, Hidden Poncho

1. Tan Dun with the Sydney Symphony, Opera House Concert Hall.

2. Disposable ponchos on the seat. Front row, not far from the stage where a large bowl of water has been placed.

3. Oh, this can’t be good.

4. I’ve always had some difficulty with music that was written with found, made or otherwise non-traditional instruments in mind. You know, the “Concerto in Z Minus featuring a barbecue and a gas stove” and the like. But I was intrigued when I read in the Herald about Tan Dun’s Concerto for Water Percussion will be performed for three nights only. Intrigued enough to dent the plastic a bit more for a pair of awful seats at the Opera House. And oh my! Who would’ve thought you could do so much with water? Percussion soloist David Cossin stole the show, reminding the audience that melody and harmony aren’t the full story. His fingers bounced and tapped and splashed (especially the poor sods sitting not two meters in front) his way through the piece, with the orchestra mimicking the sounds he was creating. It was absolute magic.

5. But that was only half the night, the other half being the Crouching Tiger Concerto, a piece based on the music to the film of the same name. Except this time around Tan had full creative freedom - and had the film cut around the music. Revolving around the major themes of the film score, it has you riding shotgun to the story but staying separate - this is a journey of the places the story passes through. Cello soloist Maya Beiser was dynamite - although at times I did wonder whether it would’ve served the music better if she was less rough with the instrument. There was a particularly touching duet between cello and violin, as well as one between the two soloists. The music was so captivating that I found myself ignoring most of the film that was showing - the version of the film I was cutting in my head to the music seemed much more important. I would be very disappointed if this was not released as part of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon DVD in the future, it deserves to be there as it gives an additional dimension to what is already a fantastic movie.

6. And you don’t even need a disposable poncho.