Last night I had the great pleasure of attending the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven 8: Euphoric.  It was a masterful performance: warm, exuberant yet precise and beautiful.  Richard Tognetti was brilliant as always and there was a truly wonderful cello solo by Principal Cellist Timo-Veikko Valve.  I was not alone in my enjoyment, the Perth Concert Hall was a full house.

I must clarify that this post is not a review: my knowledge of classical music is sadly limited. I enjoy it and seek out any opportunity to listen to skilled musicians but my technical knowledge is zip.  I’m sure there will be a number of reviews of the performance by people more qualified to comment.

However I was very disappointed to hear that the Federal Government have withdrawn funding (amounting to approximately $2.5m per year) from the Australian National Academy of Music. Without this funding the Academy will not able to develop Australia’s elite young musicians (55 currently enrolled), preparing them for positions in the Australian Chamber Orchestra, State Symphony Orchestras and other orchestras.  The academy also uses this funding to bring in world class musicians from around Australia and overseas to inspire their students.  It is expected that without this funding the Academy will close its doors at the end of 2008.  It appears that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s education revolution does not extend to music.

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has pulled funding from the Academy at the eleventh hour, claiming that the money could be used more effectively without proposing an alternative institution or means or training classical musicians beyond undergraduate level.  Apparently the Academy is perceived as ‘elitist‘. However one doesn’t need to be elite, or elitist to enjoy the wonderful, world-class music that the Academy’s graduates produce. It would be a shame if more young Australians are forced to head overseas to seek the training and development opportunities that no longer exist in their homeland.

Perhaps Peter Garrett would prefer that we replace the National Academy of Music with the ‘Peter Garrett Interpretive Dance Centre’?  Or perhaps the ‘Peter Garrett Academy of High Volume Political Ranting and Forgetting About All Of Your Convictions When You’re in a Position to Do Something About Them?’

Can we not learn from our friends in the United States that pandering to the lowest common denominator is not the best strategy?

If you have a moment, please sign the petition on the Australian National Academy’s website and show your support for this vital Australian institution.

I encourage you to seek out, support and enjoy the performances of Australia’s classical musicians, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and in WA for example, the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.  Even if, like me, you have no knowledge of classical music, go with an open heart, mind and spirit and enjoy what you find there.  Classical music is not the solely the domain of the wealthy or elite (and since when did they become dirty words?).  An A reserve ticket for an ACO’s Perth performance is $30 if you are under the age of 30, or $70 full price.  Discounts are available for season subscribers and in the Entertainment Book.