Tag: Sydney orchestra

New orchestral series for Australia: Baroque Kaleidoscope

orchestra Vivaldi Performance foto Keith Saunders

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (ABO), a beacon of Australia’s early music scene, is set to awe audiences with its upcoming Baroque Kaleidoscope concert series. Scheduled to unfold at Sydney’s illustrious City Recital Hall from 3 – 8 May, before gracing Melbourne Recital Centre from 9 – 12 May, these performances are a testament to the Orchestra’s dedication to both historical authenticity and innovative musical expression. At the heart of this series lies a meticulously chosen repertoire featuring immortal works by Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel, and their distinguished contemporaries. In what promises to be a transcendent homage to the Baroque period, the ABO ventures back to its origins. The concert series aims to spotlight the fervour and extraordinary adeptness of Brandenburg’s principal musicians. Attendees can look forward to renditions of widely celebrated compositions, including Handel’s lively “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba,” and a captivating concerto for two violins from Vivaldi’s acclaimed L’estro Armonico. The stage will be graced by luminaries such as Shaun Lee-Chen, the internationally acclaimed Concertmaster whose renditions as a soloist have garnered widespread admiration, notably in last year’s Gloria & The Four Seasons. Equally distinguished are Principal Second Baroque Violin Ben Dollman and Principal Baroque Flute Melissa Farrow, each having enriched the Brandenburg ensemble with over two decades of expertise. Adding to the ensemble’s distinguished lineup, Adam Masters, recently coronated as Principal Baroque Oboe, will deliver a special performance of an Albinoni concerto. Masters’ unconventional path to music, transitioning from a decade-long career in medicine to pursuing his passion in Baroque oboe… Read More

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Unveils Exciting 2024 Season

Screenshot 20230823 093121

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has recently announced its highly anticipated 2024 Season, a diverse and dynamic program of live concert series set to take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall and Melbourne Recital Hall. The upcoming season promises to captivate audiences with theatrical performances and innovative interpretations of the best of Baroque music. One of the highlights of the 2024 Season is the inclusion of renowned international guest artists who will be making their Australian debut alongside the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. French harpsichordist Justin Taylor, Japanese soprano Yukie Sato, and Italian fortepianist Francesco Corti are among the talented musicians set to grace the stage and add an extra layer of brilliance to the performances. Paul Dyer, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, stating, “Our 2024 season continues the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s bold mission to excite, to honour, to reinvent and to reignite the energy of early music.” He further emphasized the range of musical experiences the audience can expect, from the harmonious voices of a full orchestra to the intimate performances of next-generation soloists. Co-Founder and Managing Director Bruce Applebaum also shared his enthusiasm, inviting both loyal fans and newcomers to join the orchestra on this exciting journey. He encouraged audiences to be ready to be engaged, uplifted, moved, and renewed, suggesting that the 2024 season would challenge preconceptions and reward curiosity. The season kicks off with “Notre-Dame,” a moving tribute to the iconic cathedral’s enduring spirit as a hub of musical innovation. This concert… Read More

ACO Transfigured – The Australian Chamber Orchestra is bringing back live performances

Australian chamber orchestra

The Australian Chamber Orchestra will return to the concert hall for the first time in six months to present ‘ACO Transfigured’, a limited week-long season performed in front of a live audience. It’ll be socially distanced and take to the stage at Sydney’s City Recital Hall from 5-11 September 2020.  The Covid pandemic hit the orchestra in a way they couldn’t have predicted, with artistic director Richard Tognetti having retooled and found himself increasingly behind the camera, working to present an innovative and engaging digital season for audiences around the world.  “We have been waiting for this moment since March and are thrilled to be able to share our music with a live audience once again. The COVID-19 pandemic compelled us and orchestras around the world to find new ways to bring music to a world in lockdown. ACO is a national orchestra and although we are grateful that current restrictions allow us to reunite with our audience in Sydney, we will continue to develop and expand our digital offering to reach our audiences across the country and overseas, until we can begin touring again,” he said. The orchestra will perform among other pieces, Mendelssohn’s beloved String Quartet in D major Op.44 No.1 arranged for strings, and Schoenberg’s masterpiece, Verklärte Nacht (‘Transfigured Night’), which will bring the one hour concert with no interval to an exquisite close. See more at the ACO website Tickets start from $59 and will go on sale to ACO Donors and Subscribers 10am Thursday 27 August and to the general public 9am Friday 28… Read More

Sydney Philharmonia Choir presents An Intimate Evening with Brahms

Brahms conductor

The latest season of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is on this February with An Intimate Evening with Brahms, a concert that has been stripped back to voice and piano that pays tribute to Brahms’ legacy. Opening with a short program of solo songs and duets, ahead of a full choral performance of Brahms’ acclaimed and deeply personal Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem). It’ll be a classic music lovers’ dream. Recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful choral works and the composition that brought Brahms to the world’s attention, A German Requiem was ensured widespread appreciation when Brahms’ publisher insisted that he make an arrangement for piano duet, bringing all the vocal and orchestral parts together in a version that four hands could play at home, on one instrument. So now that it’s in Sydney, it’s one of the city’s must-see events – and just after the famed Sydney Festival wound-up recently, too. Complete with special vocal treats for the die-hards; soloists Emma Pearson and Sam Roberts-Smith will be in the mix, too, pitching in to a highly anticipated and incredibly moving chamber music presentation. The concert is a one-off, so get your tickets now for $39. It’s on 7pm Friday February 8, City Recital Hall, Sydney with the Sydney Philharmonia.