Queensland Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to the earth and other planets over three concert events:
Hymn to Mother Earth and The Planets – April 2, 14 and 15
Trailblazing South Korean Conductor Shiyeon Sung to lead QSO in April
Maybe it was planned, maybe it was the universe, but over the next four weeks Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is set to pay tribute to mother earth, and then all the planets in three magnificent concert events that celebrate the universal power of music.
The first is Hymn to Mother Earth, presented in association with the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, being performed on Sunday April 2 at 11.30am in the Concert Hall under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor Johannes Fritzsch and hosted by the much loved Guy Noble.
Maestro Fritzsch leads the Orchestra through a span of music from across the globe and across history, music that has taken its inspiration from the natural world. Australian composer Peter Sculthorp’s evocative work From Uluru, features, depicting the heartland of the Australian outback, as does Smetana’s ever-popular The Moldau, which follows the course of a river from a tiny stream (the flute) through to its majestic outpouring into the ocean. These, and many other musical depictions of nature are highlights not to be missed.
Two weeks later QSO will perform Gustav Holst’s mighty masterpiece The Planets, led by trailblazing South Korean conductor Shiyeon Sung. She is the first female conductor out of South Korea to make the leap to the podium of internationally renowned orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin, the Bamberg Symphony and now, the QSO.
Some of the greatest music in the world is featured in The Planets – Music of the Spheres. The two main works on this concert’s program will take audiences on a tour – not just of the planets – but of the whole universe of sound.
The Planets has a life of its own, from being referenced in movie soundtracks to being converted to anthems, but there’s nothing like hearing it live and loud in the amazing acoustic of the QPAC Concert Hall. The main work is a series of connected musical scenes, not describing the actual cosmic planets, but the astrological characteristics of the Roman gods that the planets were named after. The result has been an instant hit with the public.
Conductor Shiyeon Sung will lend her unique touch to this work and the equally fascinating Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov. These dreamy, cinematic songs, performed by the radiant soprano Sara Macliver will round out a concert of orchestra music at its most atmospheric.
Hymn to Mother Earth – Breathtaking Musical Landscapes, hosted by Guy Noble in the Concert Hall
Sunday 2 April 11.30am
MUSIC ON SUNDAYS
Smetana The Moldau from Má Vlast Sculthorpe From Uluru Respighi Music from The Birds L. Boulanger Of a Spring Morning Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 K.595, mvt 3
Conductor Johannes Fritzsch Soloist Hannah Shin, piano
The Planets – Music of the Spheres
Friday 14 April 11.30am AND Saturday 15 April 7.30pm – MAESTRO
MAESTRO / MORNING MASTERWORKS
Wagner Tannhäuser Overture (Dresden Version)* Golijov Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra Holst The Planets
Conductor Shiyeon Sung Soloist Sara Macliver, soprano Choir The Australian Voices
TICKETS: qso.com.au or 07 3833 5044
