concert series 2016 The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is Brisbane’s leading community orchestra, bringing together up to 200 musicians a year to play a variety of orchestral music. The orchestra was founded on principles of musical excellence and development, participation, and organisational professionalism. Since its creation in 2000, the BPO has become the community orchestra of choice for over 500 musicians. It is eagerly sought as a performance partner for choirs, festivals, and acclaimed instrumentalists and vocalists. The BPO performs its own concert series and also participates in community and festival events throughout the year, attracting audiences of up to 9,000 people annually. Entry to the BPO is by audition and the ensemble is the only community orchestra in Brisbane that rotates invited guest conductors rather than establishing a permanent Music Director. Uniquely, this allows a variety of the finest local professional and emerging conductors to deliver diverse and innovative programming to artistically stimulate members of the orchestra.
Image: James Goss
MESSAGE FROM LORD MAYOR OF BRISBANE, COUNCILLOR GRAHAM QUIRK It is with pleasure that I announce the 2016 season of the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2015, the orchestra celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. This is a remarkable achievement for a community ensemble that is operated solely by volunteer members. The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra is proudly supported by the Brisbane City Council as part of the Creative Brisbane Creative Economy Strategy 2013-2022, which aims to strengthen Brisbane as a vibrant creative hub and ensures Brisbane is a premier location for talented people to live, work and play. The 2016 season is set to be one which is bursting with variety and exciting programming to suit all tastes for lovers of classical music. In 2016, I encourage you to listen to the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and support this important community organisation which embodies the creative and artistic excellence Brisbane is renowned for. Graham Quirk Lord Mayor of Brisbane fairy
Conductor: Chen Yang tales Soloist: Levi Hansen (celesta) Metro Concert Series #1
PROGRAM: Richard Mills Suite from ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’
Michael Kurek Concertino for Celesta and Orchestra ‘Fairy Dreams’ (Australian Premiere) Antonin Dvorak Symphony No.8 in G major Op.88
We open our 2016 season with music from Richard Mills’ ballet inspired by May Gibbs’ iconic Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Brisbane-based pianist, Levi Hansen, will perform the Australian premiere of Michael Kurek’s ‘Fairy Dreams’ on the stunning Schiedmayer celesta recently acquired by the BPO. Don’t miss the rare opportunity to hear this enchanting and captivating instrument in a solo role!
Sunday March 6, 3.00pm Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills Tickets www.bpo.org.au Image: James Goss Conductor: Peter Luff (orchestra) the Emily Cox (chorus master) Brisbane Chorale Soloists: Natalie Peluso (soprano) bells Henry Choo (tenor) David Wakeham (baritone) Metro Concert Series #2 In Partnership with PROGRAM: The Brisbane Chorale Sergei Rachmaninoff Vespers (All-Night Vigil) Op.37 (selections) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Suite from ‘The Nutcracker’ Op.71a Sergei Rachmaninoff The Bells Op.35
We join forces with the Brisbane Chorale to open the 2016 4MBS Festival of Classics at City Hall. The 2016 festival takes its theme from the Russian master composers and we feature two of the finest. Rachmaninoff’s magnificent choral symphony The Bells, based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, features the combined forces of both ensembles along with some of Australia’s finest opera stars and will bring the concert to a stirring conclusion with its vivid palette of colour and mood.
Sunday May 22, 3.00pm Brisbane City Hall, King George Square Tickets www.bpo.org.au
Image: James Goss Image: Josephine O’Brien impressions
Conductor: Michael Keen of brazil Soloists: Karin Schaupp Metro Concert Series #3 and Trio Rosa (Guitars) Program: Antônio Carlos Gomes Overture to Il Guarany Ottorino Respighi Impressioni Brasiliane (Impressions of Brazil)
Joaquin Rodrigo Concierto Andaluz for Four Guitars & Orchestra (QLD Premiere) Heitor Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras No.4, W424 for Orchestra
With the Rio Olympics around the corner, what better opportunity to explore the composers of Brazil? We explore the traditional operatic stylings of Antônio Carlos Gomes and the distinctive neo-baroque Latin fusion of Villa-Lobos. Karin Schaupp and Trio Rosa will perform Rodrigo’s Concierto Andaluz for four guitars to round off this exotic and captivating program. Sunday May 22, 3.00pm Brisbane City Hall, King George Square Sunday July 24, 3.00pm Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills Tickets www.bpo.org.au Tickets www.bpo.org.au
Image: Josephine O’Brien The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra in partnership with The Queensland National Ballet School Presents dondon quixotequixote
Artistic Director: Martyn fleming Music: Ludwig Minkus
Ageing hero Don Quixote sets out on a quest to uphold the code of chivalry and to find the idealised beloved of his inspired dreams. Along his journey he encounters the young lovers, Kitri and Basilio. The lovers flee from Kitri’s father who is insistent that she marry wealthy nobleman, Gamache. Hijinks ensue and Don Quixote’s role in the lovers’ fate proves more than just incidental… The Old Museum Concert Hall will be transformed into a ballet theatre with the orchestra in front of the stage while audiences enjoy an unobstructed view of the ballet action from the elevated seating. Performances: Saturday September 24, 7.30pm & Sunday September 25, 3.00pm Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills Tickets www.bpo.org.au
this exclusive ballet theatre performance with live orchestra is limited Image courtesy of Queensland National Ballet School to two performances only the revolutionaries Metro Concert Series #4
Conductor: Chen Yang Soloist: To be announced – winner of the 2016 BPO Concerto Competition
PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven Egmont Overture Op.84 Ludwig van Beethoven Concerto to be announced Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 47
Performances: Saturday September 24, 7.30pm & Sunday September 25, 3.00pm Maestro Chen Yang returns to conduct Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and the winner of our 2016 Concerto Competition will take to the stage to perform a concerto also by Beethoven. We conclude 2016 with Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills Shostakovich’s iconic fifth symphony. From the agonising and haunting largo movement to the triumphant finale, Tickets www.bpo.org.au this enigmatic work was an instant favourite of Russian audiences in 1937 and remains a global favourite today. Sunday November 27, 3.00pm Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills
Tickets www.bpo.org.au Image: James Goss
this exclusive ballet theatre performance with live orchestra is limited to two performances only Auditions Want to be a part of Brisbane’s most dynamic and vibrant community orchestra? Auditions will be taking place across 2016 for various principal and tutti positions within the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. Being a member of the BPO is a rewarding community experience and a lot of fun! Our members are just like you – ordinary people who enjoy coming together to make extraordinary music. Visit www.bpo.org.au for details and downloadable excerpts.
Concerto Competition Each year the BPO auditions local musicians of all ages to feature as soloist in the final metro concert. The theme of the 2016 Concerto Competition is the concerti of Ludwig van Beethoven. The winner will also receive a $500 cash prize to contribute to their musical endeavours. Visit www.bpo.org.au for details.
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Ticketing Agent and 4MBS Festival of Classics partner The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra The Brisbane Airport Corporation is proudly supported by the Brisbane generously contributes an annual City Council as part of the sponsorship amount to the Brisbane ‘Creative Brisbane Creative Economy Philharmonic Orchestra. 2013-2022’ strategy. Brochure design: s+m design co.