Brisbane review - “Symphonic Dances” a Precursor to 80th Year for Q.S.O.

By Lilian Harrington

Program:                             Symphonic Dances (Q.S.O. 80 Years of Music Season 2027)

Artistic-Planning Director: Matthew Wood

Chief Conductor:                Umberto Clerici

QSO-CEO:                            Michael Sterzinger 

Location:                              Concert Hall, QPAC, Grey St. South Brisbane

Season:                                 Preview for 2027

2027 Bookings:                    Ph: 38335044 (Mon-Fri 9-5pm) Email: info@qso.com.au  (or apply at) ABC Building ,114 Grey St south Brisbane.

With a wave of his baton, the audience husheDirector d and the conductor led the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) into a delightful program of the Symphonic Dances a precursor to 2027, when the Q.S.O will celebrate its 80th year. It takes top quality musical performances to all areas in Queensland, even traveling to outlying regions where it encourages both young and old to experience and participate in a variety of rich and enduring works, which captivate listeners and inspire youth to develop their own music skills and interest in classical music.

The evening included a preview of the 2027 program, with a panel discussion in the Concert Hall. lt featured the Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici and the of Artistic Planning Mattew Wood, chaired by Ed Le Brocq. The panel discussed the program decisions they’ve made for the 80^th celebrations 2027. Sadly, the listeners learned that this will be Umberto Clerici ‘s final performance before he returns to Europe, after his time in Australia, with both the Sydney and Queensland Symphonic Orchestras, because of a heavy work and travel commitment both here and overseas.

As the audience heard at this concert of the Symphonic Dances, Q.S.O offers an exciting program for professional musicians who come from both local and afar. They share their knowledge and expertise. In this way, the program can employ musicians who exhibit high-levels of skill and can inspire local talent. An example of this is Australian born, Matthew Wood, artistic director for the 2027 program; he has a wealth of knowledge which he has gained from his time overseas, and he has used this to create innovative changes in next year’s program. His background knowledge and experience prove a positive asset for Q.S.O because it encourages it to expand their boundaries.

The Symphonic Dance program was ABC live cast. It proved to be warm and awe inspiring. Umberto Clerici guided the orchestra with vigor and sensitivity, as they worked through the program, which was a mix of Dvorak’s composition Slavonic Dances Nos1-3, music from Rachmaninov ‘s Symphonic Dances 1. 2. 3., (where echoes of Dies Irae are heard}. John Adams, Lollapalooza, and young Australian composer, Holly Harrison ‘s Inside Out, a concerto for amplified classical accordion and orchestra, which she wrote for James Crabb, who is a leading, Scottish born, classical accordion player and professor of music in Denmark. Crabb has regularly collaborated with orchestras, especially with contemporary composers and premiered countless solo works dedicated to him. He has now played at the Adelaide Festival, and for Opera Australia. The Symphonic Dance program with the accordion, brought in rich melodies, new contemporary sounds, which had different colors and articulations, brought to life by Crabb, in Harrison’s energetic composition which proved to be a musical feast!

Symphonic Dances was a prelude to the 80^th Anniversary 2027 Program, which offers special QSO connect opportunities for youth in the regions. It will also include: works from Beethoven, (because it’s his 200^th anniversary year), and from Sibelius and Strauss; there will be soloists such as: didgeridoo player, William Barton, and vocal artist- in- association, Nina Korbe, along with live puppetry from The Dead Puppets, in Petrushka, plus a partnership with Opera Queensland and Queensland Ballet, so don’t delay book your tickets early!