Fuchs [fox] Seranade and More.

As the great Tasmanian fox hunt draws to a close after some ten years or more of baiting, searching under bushes and behind rocks for the elusive fox, it seems appropriate that today's concert at Kettering should include a work by Robert Fuchs. Not that I am suggesting for one moment that foxes have not been introduced into our treasured island, after all we have actually sighted one on our front patio. This in turn lead to a concerted search with night cameras to capture a photo of the villain. Foxes on islands, that is the four legged variety always pose a major threat to wild life. Whether some disgruntled individual was responsible for the introduction we will never know. But for now all has been laid to rest and the eradication programme laid to rest.

However, the two legged Fuchs was another matter. Down here in the ' country' [30mins to Hobart], we are very lucky to have a team who organise regular concerts nearly once a month. They source out professional musicians from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Groups. Fuchs [fox in German] was a 19th cent Austrian composer of considerable renown, he was held in very high esteem by Brahms who considered him a splendid musician. During his lifetime Fuchs was referred to as the serenading fox. This was the first time I have heard any of his compositions and personally found them rather heavy. His music is very tonal and has a strong modern edge which is reasonable considering he died in 1927.

Among the other pieces played was Schubert's' String Trio in Bb in one movement, an early work of considerable lyricism. The other work being a fairly early chamber composition of Beethoven written when he was 28. The String Trio in G Op9 was a delight in every way. Often claimed by critics as one of his best chamber pieces, it has all the flair, contrasts, and surprise you would expect from a major composer. The String Trio of Newbery, Naselow, and Brown combined beautifully in playing this work. William Newberry and Monica Naselow both play with the TSO, while Dale Brown is a member of the Lucida Quartet.

If you are a local Tasmanian who has never driven down to Kettering for one of these Sunday concert make a note in your diary for the next one 14th July 2013 at 3pm.

They may look cute, but don't let this happen in Tasmania. Foxes are very good at concealment.