The Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) is the state’s premier training ground for young orchestral musicians, aged 8 to 25 years. On Sunday 7 June at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), its Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) will perform two works by Beethoven and Strauss.
The concert, Visions of Nature, is set to take audiences on a journey from reflective, tranquil melodies to awe-inspiring, dramatic compositions that demand attention!
QYO Artistic Director Simon Hewett selected Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No. 6 and Strauss’ Alpine Symphony to showcase the power of orchestral music to reflect both Mother Nature’s peace and power.
“These are challenging symphonies, not only because of their complexity but because of the sensitivity required to communicate the story behind each movement,” said Hewett. “It’s certainly a workout for our young musicians but whenever I raise the bar, they always exceed my expectations.”
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Pastoral, opens the program with scenes of rustic simplicity and serenity. More than a description of the countryside, Beethoven’s Pastoral is a portrait of gratitude – of finding joy and renewal in nature’s presence.
From the bubbling brook and cheerful village dance to the storm that clears and restores peace, Beethoven paints not with words but with sound, offering an enduring vision of harmony between humanity and the earth.
QYS then ascends the vast and awe-inspiring heights of Richard Strauss’ Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony). At first glance, the work depicts a single day’s climb – from sunrise to summit, storm to twilight. But beneath the vivid landscapes lies something far deeper.
Composed in 1915, in the shadow of war and following the death of Strauss’ friend Gustav Mahler, the Alpine Symphony becomes both elegy and confession: a requiem for a vanishing world, and a personal credo from a lifelong atheist who found meaning not in divinity, but in human fellowship and endurance.
As night falls, Strauss’ climbers descend from the peak, their theme returning in the faintest whisper – a quiet expression of gratitude, and perhaps, acceptance. In this final breath, the Alpine Symphony reminds us that even amid the immensity of nature and the darkness of the unknown, solace can be found in companionship, courage, and the shared ascent of life itself.
“So much of nature is awe-inspiring and these symphonies demand that kind of big, powerful energy from the musicians who bring them to life,” added Hewett. “With each rehearsal, Queensland Youth Symphony players have displayed a confidence and conviction well beyond their years – this will be a concert not to be missed.”
Nearing the conclusion of the performance, one lucky audience member will raise QYO’s Golden Baton and take the orchestra through its paces. The Golden Baton goes under the hammer each year at QYO’s fundraising gala.
The latest auction fetched $5,000 for the chance to lead the orchestra – with funds contributing to the cost of weekly specialised tutorials, performance venues and music hire.
Meanwhile, 2026 marks QYO’s 60th anniversary. To celebrate, QYO is hosting a day of live entertainment at its home at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills on Saturday 6 June. For more information, visit: www.qyo.com.au
Visions of Nature
Concert Hall – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Sunday 7 June 2026
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
For more information, visit: www.qyo.com.au for details.
Image: Queensland Youth Symphony – photo by George Webster