In the Townsville region Aboriginies traditionally recognised eight seasons; which were variations upon the two principal seasons; wet and dry. 

In 1990 the Australian Festival of Chamber Music was founded by Theodore Kuchar, and ever since every July Townsville has hosted a variety of international and Australian Musicians and gorged itself upon glorious music. 
 
We are now in the "windy dry' season, it makes more sense than describing the perfect albeit it breezy weather as winter.  The visitors must be amazed at the sight of the locals wrapped up in lumberjack jackets and uggh boots as the thermometer plummets to14 degrees. 

Yet every year they come in increasing numbers to enjoy this festival renowned for its informality and the excitement the performers generate.

The program this year extended over twelve days from July 3 until Sunday 13. The program included master classes, lectures and performances and utilised a range of local venues including the civic theatre and the cathedrals.

In music as in most things "I don't know much about art but I know what I like".  I am decidedly lowbrow with plebeian tastes, I like poems that rhyme and songs which can be whistled, I don't go to restaurants to experience the taste sensation or texture of the food, I'm there to be fed fed; the one great exception to my rule is the Music of Dimitri Shostakovich.

Over the years the Festival has converted me. The first time I heard a piece by him I was ready to fight the nearest small bloke I could find. The noise was discordant and made as much sense as mixing drinks. The second time I was unimpressed but some time years ago he got me. I am like a fish hooked no matter how I struggle one decent pull on the line and head points back to him. Now I look forward to Shostakovich like I look forward to any of life's luxuries.

This year the program included the piano quintet in G minor.  The pianist was the Australian Michael Kieran Harvey. When he walked onto the stage my immediate reaction was to think there was something wrong. The guy looks like a halfback in the Tommy Raudonikis mould. Short and nuggetty he looks in the local parlance "like he could go a bit".  I don't know if he can fight but the man can play the piano.

First Violin was the amazing James Buswell a loveable American; he is the kind of yank who gives America a good name. He is large and loud and the  sort of bloke who would insist on paying the cab fare; he filled the theatre with his talent and ability. He was joined in a perfect partnership with Alan Smith a Brisbane boy on violin. Irina Morozova who along with the pole-vaulters and Kostya Tszu is a living treasure stolen from the Russians.  The Cellist was Judith Glyde another American with passion and authority.

They attacked the piece like tuna feeding on bait fish swirling darting occasionally breaking the surface but always working the subject and attacking with passion and precision.

Harvey rammed his authority home on the keyboard. The finale came too soon for me and I was yearning for more. The appreciative audience let their approval be known.

The other highlight for me was the all Beethoven program at Sacred Heart Cathedral. It was sublime, inspiring and agonising all at once. The music was sublime, the performing was spectacular but the seating was agony.

My buttocks haven't been that sore since I was kicked up the butt in school cadets for having dirty boots. The wiser and more experienced bought cushions.

But sitting in a vaulted cathedral my mind wandered to those times before music was available to the masses. Churches were one of the few places common people could experience music. Isn't it amazing that in such times the world produced Mozart Handel and Vivaldi. Today when music is available to all we produce Eminem.

This article is completely inadequate to describe the depth of the talent and repertoire of the festival. Artists such as Daniel Adni, Dene Olding and Carol Ou have kept the audiences spellbound for twelve days.  I would have to review each performance to do the festival and the performers any justice. I cannot do that all I can do is to commend you to their website at Australian Festival where you will get a much better overview than I can hope to give you.