Melbourne’s quintessential summer tradition returns! Join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a free evening of music at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on selected dates in February.
Journeys and Adventures
Wednesday 5 February
Embark on a musical odyssey with the MSO, from the rolling Appalachian hills to the stunning Blue Mountains, cruising down grand European rivers and journeying to a galaxy far, far away. Join us for this thrilling orchestral exploration of crowd-pleasing favourites led by Cybec Assistant Conductor Leonard Weiss, featuring Owen Morris on trumpet and Tair Khisambeev on violin.
The program will feature stories of adventure, playful moments and rip-roaring showstoppers including Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Rossini’s William Tell Overture (Galop), John Williams’ Star Wars Suite, Massenet’s Thaīs: Méditation and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (Can-Can).
Jaime conducts at the Bowl: Dvořák, Gershwin and Ravel
Saturday 15 February
MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín makes his Sidney Myer Music Bowl debut at this picture-perfect night under the stars. Dvořák’s Third Symphony will rise like a gentle breeze through the summer evening, painting a vivid musical landscape with lush orchestral colours. Then, as the darkness deepens, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue emerges, bringing together classical sophistication and jazzy spontaneity, performed by pianist Andrea Lam.
Finally, Ravel’s mesmerising Boléro will build inexorably to a crashing climax, drawing you in with its hypnotic melody and relentless rhythm that will have you humming all the way home. Join the MSO to experience a blissful evening of fabulous music in the great outdoors.
Symphonic Showcase
Saturday 22 February
Ben Northey conducts this evening of passion and drama, featuring two masterpieces of 20th-century orchestral music and two works receiving their world premiere. Always an audience favourite, Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto opens with thunderous chords, giving way to moments of extraordinary lyrical beauty, with the piano and orchestra engaging in an intimate dialogue.
Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra then offers a remarkable display of virtuosity – a brilliant exploration of orchestral colour and complexity. From folk-like melodies to intricate counterpoint, this work is a showcase for the Orchestra, giving each section a chance to show off. Each half of the program opens with an exciting new work – one from Cybec Young Composer in Residence Klearhos Murphy and another by our first Cybec First Nations Composer in Residence, James Henry.
Melbourne Youth Orchestra will also perform, as a curtain raiser, featuring music by Dvořák, Prokofiev, John Williams and more!
For more information about the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, visit: www.mso.com.au for details.
Image: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (supplied)