Candlelit Bach on track

Bach by Candlelight performer Chris Howlett. 120275

By REBECCA BILLS

CLASSICAL Tracks 2014 is bringing an extra special performance to Montrose town centre this July.
Musician Chris Howlett will be performing his concert Bach by Candlelight taking his audience on an ‘insiders track’ between the suites exploring the inner workings of the music to offer an entertaining and educating journey.
Mr Howlett opened the Culture Tracks Program earlier this year where he gave attendees a taste of what will be at his upcoming performance at Montrose Town Centre later this month.
Howlett’s candle-lit, wintry night performances of this concert in Europe was met with incredible responses and offered audience members in Australia a unique experience that verges on the surreal.
With just Howlett, his cello and light, the depth and elegance of the music is brought into sharp relief.
Mr Howlett said if the sense of sight is taken away then an audience will listen harder to the music – “it’s just human nature”.
“It takes away all distractions and makes it a warmer atmosphere for the audience,” he said.
“At the end of each recital I spend at least 15 minutes where the audience can ask me questions and I find that in the dark, they are more confident to ask questions that are on their mind.
“A lot of the conversations in this time revolve around who actually wrote the Bach suites.”
With the bitterly cold winter days upon us, the Yarra Ranges Fine Music Program for winter, as part of the Culture Tracks Program, brings together some of the best classical music in Australia
Classical Tracks: Bach By Candlelight by Chris Howlett is on Sunday 20 July at 2pm at the Montrose Town Centre located at 935 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose.
Tickets are $22 or $18 for concession.
To book or for more information, call 1300 368 333 or email boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
The Mail is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a double pass to Chris Howlett’s Bach by Candlelight performance at Montrose Town Centre.
To enter, visit the Mail’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mailnewspapergroup and like, comment “Bach” and share the related post.
The winner will be announced at 10am on Friday 18 July.