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2018 WASO's Favourites

2018 WASO's Favourites

PROGRAM

WASO’s Favourites

90TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OPENING Fri 9 February 2018, 7.30pm Sat 10 February 2018, 2pm Concert Hall Frankie Lo Surdo, French Horn BRONWYNROGERS.COM WESF1389A

1389_WESF - Arts Sponsorship Campaign 2016 - WASO_Program Ad_210x148mm_V2.indd 1 20/07/16 2:21 PM The West Australian Symphony Orchestra respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Elders of the Indigenous Nations across Western and on whose Lands we work. Welcome

From the Minister It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the West Australian Symphony

Frankie Lo Surdo, French Horn Orchestra’s opening concert for 2018. On this occasion I would like to acknowledge WASO’s significant contribution to WA’s cultural vibrancy for 90 years. WASO is undoubtedly one of our state’s cultural gems – it’s the largest and busiest performing arts organisation in WA, and has a reputation for excellence, engagement and innovation. WASO is one of Australia’s finest orchestras, and renowned internationally for their dynamic performances under Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. The Orchestra is also highly regarded for having the broadest and deepest community engagement program of any orchestra in the country. Our state is richer for the work of WASO, and I thank you all for your support of this outstanding Orchestra.

David Templeman Minister for Culture and the Arts BRONWYNROGERS.COM WESF1389A 3

1389_WESF - Arts Sponsorship Campaign 2016 - WASO_Program Ad_210x148mm_V2.indd 1 20/07/16 2:21 PM Welcome

From the Chairman Welcome to WASO's first concert of 2018, our 90th anniversary year. In order to achieve such a significant milestone, WASO has benefitted from the extraordinary long-term support of the people of , and for that we are truly thankful. We do not take this support for granted and indeed believe as the State Orchestra that we have a responsibility to give back to the community. It is with this in mind WASO adopted its mission to touch souls and enrich lives through music and it is this mission that informs everything that we do as an organisation. Tonight you will experience our mission through the extraordinary artistry of your orchestra, which is rightly and finally being recognised as the finest ensemble in the country. However, this is only part of the story of WASO, for we are also the most community-focussed of the Australian orchestras. In 2017, WASO delivered over 500 education and community engagement activities to over 50,000 people across the State, particularly to those parts of the community that traditionally have had little or no access to classical music. We are proud to be the orchestra of Western Australia and look forward to the next 90 years of service. Thank you

Janet Holmes à Court AC WASO Chairman

4 The West Australian Symphony Orchestra: Celebrating 90 years in 2018

It all began on 16 September 1928, with a performance at The Queens Hall on William Street, under the leadership of charismatic conductor Harold Newton. 32 professional musicians presented a concert that included Perth’s first ever performance of Dvor�ák’s Symphony No.9 From the New World. According to a review the following day in The West Australian, “the performance proved a surprisingly good one”, and so this was the conception for what would later become known as the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. From small beginnings 90 years ago, WASO has steadily evolved to become a trailblazing arts organisation, employing 82 full-time musicians dedicated to enriching the lives of West Australians.

WASO 1958 – Capitol Theatre.

5 The West Australian Symphony Orchestra: Celebrating 90 years in 2018

WASO’s 1954 season brochure. The Capitol Theatre played an important part in WASO’s history as a regular venue for the Orchestra from 1953 until 1966, after which it was demolished and replaced by an office building. Left with no permanent performance space, concerts were shifted to Winthrop Hall at the University of WA in 1967 and remained there until Perth Concert Hall was opened on 27 January 1973.

Perth Concert Hall Opening – 27 January 1973. John Antill’s Coroboree played by WASO combined with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra conducted by the then Chief Conductor, .

6 WASO’s 1973 season ticket.

In 2018 WASO celebrates 90 years of classical performance. Led by Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser Asher Fisch, the Orchestra proudly continues its mission to touch souls and enrich lives through music.

Resident/Chief Conductors Harold T. Newton 1928-32 George Reid 1932 Nelson Burto 1933-35 Ernest J.Roberts 1936-47 Henri Krips 1948-49 Rudolf Pekarek 1950-54 John Farnsworth Hall 1955-65 Thomas Mayer 1965-71 Tibor Paul 1971-73 1974-81 1982-85 1990-93 Vernon (Tod) Handley 1995-98 1999-Conductor Laureate 2003-06 2009-13 Asher Fisch 2014-

7 8 2018 Upcoming Concerts BOOK NOW – 9326 0000 0000 9326 – NOW BOOK An additional fee of $4.40 per transaction applies for delivery via Registered Post. Registered via delivery for applies transaction per bookings. mail and $4.40 of phone fee to applies additional An $6.60 of fee A website. our on purchases all to applies transaction per $5.50 of fee handling *A one-off Asher Fisch ofWesfarmers appears courtesy Arts.

Photo: Felix Broede WASO Chorus David Parkin bass(WASO debut) Choo tenor (WASOHenry debut) Fiona Campbell mezzo-soprano Rachelle soprano Durkin Asher Fisch conductor/piano (pictured) Choral Fantasy andalarge-scaleconcerto choral work allinone! Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy isadazzlingpianosolo, a than withBeethoven’s majesticNinthSymphony! What better way to celebrate WASO’s 90th anniversary year Perth Concert Hall Thu 15, Fri 16 & SatMarch 17 7.30pm Beethoven 9 ToOde Joy: AsherFisch Conducts Veronika violin(pictured) Eberle (WASO debut) Asher Fisch conductor repertoire, Beethoven’s magnificent Violin Concerto. WASO debut andtacklesthesummit ofaviolinist’s Alps. Acclaimed GermanviolinistVeronika Eberlemakes her travelogue ajourney to thepeaksofBavarian charts Strauss’ An AlpineSymphony. Thisenthrallingmusical the mostgrandiose andextravagant ofallorchestral works, Principal Conductor AsherFisch leadsWASO through one of Perth Concert Hall Fri 9 & SatMarch 10 7.30pm & Beethoven’s ViolinConcerto Strauss’ AlpineSymphony MACA LIMITEDSERIES CLASSICS MASTERS SERIES BEETHOVEN Symphony No.9 Choral BEETHOVEN Fantasia for Piano, Chorus, andOrchestra BEETHOVEN Zur Overture Namensfeier: STRAUSS, R. BEETHOVEN ViolinConcerto An AlpineSymphony

– waso.com.au

FROM $33* TICKETS FROM $58* FROM TICKETS

WASO's Favourites

HANDEL Zadok the Priest (6 mins) HANDEL Samson: Let the Bright Seraphim (6 mins) Featuring Brent Grapes, trumpet DELIBES Lakmé: Flower Duet (4 mins) VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending (15 mins) BIZET : Habañera (3 mins) GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess: Summertime (3 mins) WIDOR Symphony No.6 for organ and orchestra: Allegro (9 mins) ORFF Carmina burana: O Fortuna (3 mins)

Interval (25 mins)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No.5 (36 mins) Allegro con brio Andante con moto Allegro Allegro

Christopher Dragon conductor Sara Macliver soprano Fiona Campbell mezzo-soprano Laurence Jackson violin Joseph Nolan organ WASO Chorus

9 About The Artists

Christopher Dragon Laurence Jackson Conductor Violin

West Australian Christopher Dragon is After studying at The Royal Academy currently the Associate Conductor of the of Music in , Laurence joined Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He was the Maggini Quartet in 1993 with whom appointed from over 200 candidates and he toured all over the world and made was immediately extended in the position. numerous recordings, winning the 2001 For three years Christopher previously held Gramophone Award for Chamber Music, the position of Assistant Conductor with 2002 Cannes Classical Awards as well as the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, two Grammy Award nominations. which provided him with the mentorship Laurence was appointed concertmaster by Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. of the City of Birmingham Symphony Christopher regularly returns to Australia Orchestra (CBSO) in 2006, touring to work with various orchestras and has extensively and making many conducted the West Australian, Melbourne recordings, including the solo in and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras. At 25, Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben. With the he made his debut at the CBSO he has appeared as soloist House conducting the Sydney Symphony many times, performing concertos by Orchestra with Australian singer/songwriter Dvorák, Bruch, Nielsen and Brahms Josh Pyke. The following year it was and has also directed the orchestra in released on CD and won an ARIA. Other various programmes, both as director progressive collaborations include Ben and director/soloist. Laurence is Folds, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis and an Honorary Fellow of both Brunel the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. University, London and Canterbury University and was awarded a fellowship Christopher was a member of the of the Royal Academy of Music in Symphony Services International 2013. Laurence plays a violin by J. B. Conductor Program and has studied Vuillaume, circa 1850. with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Fabio Luisi, Paavo Jarvi and Neeme Jarvi.

10 Sara Macliver Fiona Campbell Soprano Mezzo Soprano

Sara Macliver is one of Australia’s most Fiona Campbell is one of Australia’s most popular and versatile artists, and is versatile and beloved classical singers regarded as one of the leading exponents - a producer and guest ABC presenter, of repertoire. Sara is a regular accomplished international performer, performer with all the Australian recitalist and recording artist. Fiona was symphony orchestras as well as the the winner of the national Limelight Award Perth, Melbourne and Sydney Festivals, for Best Solo Performance 2011 and vocal , the Australian Chamber winner of the ABC Young Performer of the Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Year Award and the ASC Opera Awards. Orchestra, Musica Viva, and a number of Fiona sings regularly as a principal international companies. artist with all of the major ensembles Recently Sara has sung for the Sydney, and orchestras in Australia and with Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Opera Australia, Opera Queensland Orchestras, West Australian Opera, the and WA Opera. Her international Australian String Quartet, Auckland collaborators have included the Philharmonic, Australia Ensemble, Brodsky Quartet, Tokyo Philharmonic, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Prague Chamber Australian Haydn Ensemble, St George’s Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic and Cathedral, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Southern Cross soloists and with the Career highlights include several Bangalow Festival. Sara has recently concerts with the legendary tenor José recorded a CD of Calvin Bowman songs Carreras in Japan, Korea and Australia. for release later in the year. She made debut at Suntory Hall in Sara has been awarded an honorary Tokyo and Cadogan Hall in London with doctorate from the University of Western the renowned international soprano Australia and records for ABC Classics Barbara Bonney. with more than 35 CDs and many awards to her credit.

11 About The Artist

Joseph Nolan Organ

Hailed by ABC Classic FM as an The French Government awarded Joseph ‘extraordinary musician’ and by BBC Radio the title of Chevalier des Arts et des 3 Record Review as ‘magnificent’ Joseph Lettres for services to French music which Nolan is recognised as one of the world’s was bestowed on Nolan at his solo debut leading organists. concert at Sydney Opera House in the 2017 Sydney Symphony Season. A recording artist for award-winning UK label, Signum records, Joseph has Joseph has just returned to Perth from recorded ten disks on the world’s most Kuala Lumper having made his solo famous organs attaining innumerable five concerto debut with the Malaysian star reviews and Editor’s Choice awards Philharmonic Orchestra. from Limelight Magazine, Gramophone The University of Western Australia have and BBC Music Magazine. Most notably, recently awarded Joseph Nolan their Gramophone named Nolan’s final disc higher doctorate, the prestigious Doctor in his complete Widor cycle as a Critic’s of Letters. Choice for 2017.

12 WASO Chorus

Formed in 1988, the WASO Chorus brings together auditioned singers who volunteer their time and talents to perform under the WASO banner in a variety of programs and concert settings. Led by Chorus Director Christopher van Tuinen and Vocal Coach Andrew Foote, this passionate and enthusiastic group has performed with acclaimed conductors including Asher Fisch, Simone Young, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Richard Hickox. For more information on the Chorus and how to join, visit waso.com.au/about/chorus

Christopher van Tuinen Andrew Foote Lea Hayward Chorus Director Chorus Vocal Coach Accompanist

SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS Valerie Bannan Marian Agombar John Beamish Justin Audcent Anna Börner Lisa Barz Allan Griffiths -Hill Kathryn Buselich Janet Baxter Peter Handford Charlie Bond Alinta Carroll Llewela Benn David Lancaster Bertel Bulten Penelope Colgan Daniela Birch John Murphy Allan Davies Clara Connor Patsy Brown Andrew Paterson Nick Fielding Sarah Cosstick Sue Coleson Jay Reso Ken Gasmier Charmaine de Witt Catherine Dunn Chris Ryland Mark Gummer Erika Dietrich Julie Durant Arthur Tideswell Stephen Hastings Fay Edwards Jenny Fay Stephen Turley Brian Kent Bronwyn Elliott Susanna Fleck Brad Wake Tony King Davina Farinola Louise Gillett Benjamin Lee Kath Goodman Dianne Graves Andrew Lynch Lesley Goodwin Louise Hayes Patrick Melling Pauline Handford Jill Jones Peter Ormond Diane Hawkins Gaylene Kelso Jim Rhoads Sue Hingston Diana MacCallum Glenn Rogers Michelle John Robyn Main Steve Sherwood Elysia Murphy Chrissie Mavrofridis Christopher Smith Sheila Price Tina McDonald Tim Strahan Rochelle Rabel Debra McNeil Robert Turnbull Elizabeth Reid Lyn Mills Mark Wiklund Jane Royle Margot Morgan Andrew Wong Lucy Sheppard Lynne Naylor Sarah Shneier Katrina Neser Nike Titilola Etim Shannon Reid Carol Unkovich Neb Ryland Marjan van Gulik Louise Sutton Alicia Walter Claire Taylor Olga Ward Moira Westmore Jacquie Wright

13 West Australian Symphony Orchestra

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra Each year the Orchestra performs over (WASO) is Western Australia’s largest and 175 concerts with some of the world’s busiest performing arts organisation. With most talented conductors and soloists a reputation for excellence, engagement to an audience in excess of 190,000. and innovation, WASO’s resident An integral part of the Orchestra is the company of full-time, professional WASO Chorus, a highly skilled ensemble musicians plays a central role in creating of auditioned singers who volunteer their a culturally vibrant Western Australia. time and talent. WASO is a not for profit company, funded waso.com.au through government, ticket revenue and the generous support of the community through corporate and philanthropic partnerships. Connect With WASO WASO’s mission is to touch souls and facebook.com/ enrich lives through music. Each year the WestAustralianSymphonyOrchestra Orchestra entertains and inspires the people of Western Australia through its twitter.com/_WASO_ concert performances, regional tours, innovative education and community programs, and its artistic partnerships instagram.com/_waso_ with West Australian Opera and West Australian Ballet. wasorchestra The Orchestra is led by Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser Asher youtube.com/ Fisch. The Israeli-born conductor is WestAustSymOrchestra widely acclaimed for his command of the Romantic German repertoire and is a Stay up to date and sign-up to our frequent guest at the world’s great opera SymphonE-news at waso.com.au houses.

14 WASO On Stage

VIOLIN VIOLA FLUTE TRUMPET Laurence Jackson Alex Brogan Andrew Nicholson Brent Grapes Concertmaster A/Principal Viola Mary-Anne Blades Chair partnered by NAB Semra Lee-Smith Benjamin Caddy Evan Cromie A/Assoc Concertmaster A/Assoc Principal Viola PICCOLO Peter Miller Graeme Norris Kierstan Arkleysmith Michael Waye A/Assistant Nik Babic TROMBONE Concertmaster Alison Hall OBOE Joshua Davis Rebecca Glorie Rachael Kirk Liz Chee Liam O’Malley A/Principal 1st Violin Zhiyu Xu° Zak Rowntree* Allan McLean BASS TROMBONE Principal 2nd Violin Elliot O’Brien COR ANGLAIS Philip Holdsworth Kylie Liang Katherine Potter^ Leanne Glover Assoc Principal 2nd Violin Helen Tuckey TUBA Kate Sullivan CLARINET Cameron Brook Assist Principal 2nd Violin CELLO Allan Meyer Sarah Blackman Louise McKay Lorna Cook TIMPANI Chair partnered by Alex Timcke Fleur Challen Penrhos College Stephanie Dean BASS CLARINET Shigeru Komatsu Alexander Millier PERCUSSION Beth Hebert Oliver McAslan Brian Maloney Alexandra Isted Nicholas Metcalfe BASSOON Chair partnered by Stott Hoare Jane Johnston° Eve Silver* Jane Kircher-Lindner Robyn Gray^ Sunmi Jung Fotis Skordas Adam Mikulicz Christina Chair partnered by Paul Tanner^ Tim South Sue & Ron Wooller Katsimbardis Xiao Le Wu PIANO/ Ellie Lawrence CONTRABASSOON HARPSICHORD DOUBLE BASS Andrea Mendham^ Chloe Turner Stewart Smith^ Lucas O’Brien Andrew Sinclair* Melanie Pearn Elizabeth Browning^ HORN Ken Peeler A/Assoc Principal Robert Gladstones Double Bass Principal 3rd Horn Louise Sandercock Louise Elaerts Julian Leslie^ Jolanta Schenk Christine Guest Principal 3rd Horn Jane Serrangeli Reitzenstein Julia Brooke Baodi Tang Andrew Tait Francesco Lo Surdo Cerys Tooby Mark Tooby David Yeh *Instruments used by these musicians are on loan from Janet Holmes à Court AC.

Principal Associate Principal Assistant Principal Contract Player˚ Guest Musician^

15 WASO’s Festival of Chamber Music

12 concerts / 2 days / Perth Concert Hall A feast of superb music from Mozart to Debussy for chamber ensembles and orchestra.

Fri 2 & Sat 3 March Various times – full program available online

BOOK NOW – 9326 0000 – waso.com.au – tickets from $25*

*A one-off handling fee of $5.50 per transaction applies to all purchases on our website. A fee of $3.85 applies to over the counter bookings. 16 A fee of $6.60 applies to phone and mail bookings. An additional fee of $4.40 per transaction applies for delivery via Registered Post WASO’s Festival Your Concert Experience FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL FOOD & BEVERAGES When to applaud? Musicians love applause. Visit perthconcerthall.com.au for of Chamber Music Audience members normally applaud: information on food and beverage offerings • When the concertmaster (violin) walks at the venue.Foyer bars are open for drinks onto the stage and coffee two hours before, during interval 12 concerts / 2 days / Perth Concert Hall • When the conductor walks onto the and after the concert. To save time we stage recommend A feast of superb music from you pre-order your interval drinks. Mozart to Debussy for • After the completion of each piece and at the end of the performance chamber ensembles and orchestra. FREE WATER STATIONS When you need to cough, try to muffle • Level 1 Ground Floor across from box office or bury your cough in a handkerchief • Wardle Room – western side of bar or during a louder section of the music. • Terrace Level Corner Bar – one water Cough lozenges are available from the station on either side of the bar WASO Ticket Collection Desk before each • Lower & Upper Gallery level performance and at the interval. FIRST AID Hearing aids that are incorrectly adjusted There are St John Ambulance officers may disturb other patrons, please be present at every concert so please speak to mindful of those around you. them if you require any first aid assistance Mobile phones and other electronic ACCESSIBILITY devices need to be switched off throughout the performance. • A universal accessible toilet is available on the ground floor (Level 1) Photography, sound and video recordings • The Sennheiser MobileConnect Personal are permitted prior to the start of the Hearing Assistance system is available performance. for every seat in the auditorium. Visit Latecomers and patrons who leave the perthconcerthall.com.au/your-visit/ auditorium will be seated only after the accessibility/ for further information. completion of a work. WASO BOX OFFICE Moving to empty seats. Please do not Buy your WASO tickets and subscriptions, move to empty seats prior to the exchange tickets, or make a donation at the performance as this may affect seating for Box Office on the ground floor (Level 1) prior latecomers when they are admitted during to each performance and at interval. Tickets a suitable break. for other performances at Perth Concert Hall will be available for purchase only at LISTEN TO WASO interval. This performance is being recorded for Fri 2 & Sat 3 March broadcast on ABC Classic FM on Friday The Box Office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and contactable on 9326 0000. Various times – full program available online 16 Feb at 1pm (10am EST). For further details visit abc.net.au/classic DONATE YOUR TICKET 720 ABC PERTH Can’t attend a concert? Contact the WASO BOOK NOW – 9326 0000 – waso.com.au – tickets from $25* Tune in to 720 ABC Perth on Friday morning Box Office on 9326 0000 to donate your at 6.15am when Fiona Campbell joins Peter ticket for re-sale and you will receive a tax Bell to provide the latest on classical music deductible receipt. and WASO’s upcoming concerts.

*A one-off handling fee of $5.50 per transaction applies to all purchases on our website. A fee of $3.85 applies to over the counter bookings. A fee of $6.60 applies to phone and mail bookings. An additional fee of $4.40 per transaction applies for delivery via Registered Post 17 About The Music

George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759) Zadok the Priest In 1727, with the old king dead and the coronation of his successor, George II, scheduled two months hence, the honour of composing the music for this high- profile event went not to Maurice Greene, Organist and Composer of the Chapel Royal, but to Georg Friederich Händel, native of Halle, Germany and recently naturalised British subject.

Handel wrote four anthems for the coronation: Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, Zadok the Priest, The King in the ruins. The Israelites mourn the Shall Rejoice and My Heart Is Inditing. The death of their champion, but are exhorted words were selected by Handel himself, to rejoice in the heroism of his end with to the consternation of the Archbishops the aria ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ and the of Canterbury and York, who wanted to oratorio closes with a triumphal chorus. instruct him on suitable texts: ‘I have read Unlike most of the libretto, which comes my Bible very well,’ said the composer, from Milton’s intense meditation on the ‘and shall choose for myself.’ sufferings of Samson,Samson Agonistes, ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ is taken from the Zadok the Priest was sung at the exultant At a Solemn Music (source also of Anointing, and has been performed at the the text for Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens). coronation of every British monarch since. The text is a paraphrase of the account of First performance: 18 February 1743, King Solomon’s coronation found in the Covent Garden. first book of Kings, in the Old Testament. Léo Delibes First performance: Coronation of George II, (1836 – 1891) 11 October 1727. Lakmé: Sous le dôme épais (Flower Duet) George Frideric Handel European colonial expansion into Asia in Samson: Let the Bright Seraphim the 19th century provided a new ‘exotic’ colour for opera librettists. Delibes’ Samson (1742) was the work Handel masterpiece Lakmé (1883), based on composed immediately after his Pierre Loti’s novel Rarahu, is set in India groundbreaking Messiah. The libretto is during the Raj and concerns the ill-fated based on the biblical story of the mighty love of the Brahmin Lakmé and the young warrior who lost his great strength Engishman Gérard. Lakmé’s Act I duet with when his hair was cut by his treacherous her servant Mallika as they gather flowers lover Delilah: captured and blinded by in the river is one of the opera’s greatest the Philistines, he is paraded before his hits and has since found extraneous fame mocking enemies, but God returns his in movies, TV programs and commercials. strength to him for one last act, and he pulls down the pillars of the Philistine First performance: 14 April 1883, temple, burying himself and his tormentors Opéra-Comique, Paris.

18 and Greece as an ambulance driver. He returned to the composition after the war and it was premiered in December 1920 by the English violinist Marie Hall, to whom it is dedicated.

First performance: 15 December 1920 (version for violin and piano); 14 June 1921 (violin and orchestra). Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) Carmen: Habanera Set in Seville, Bizet’s opera Carmen tells the story of the gypsy girl who is arrested for causing a disturbance among the girls at the Ralph Vaughan Williams cigarette factory where she works. Corporal (1872 – 1958) Don José aids Carmen’s escape from jail and in the process falls in love with her. The Lark Ascending – Romance for violin When she eventually spurns him in favour and orchestra of the bullfighter Escamillo, Don José stabs Along with Gustav Holst, Vaughan her to death in a fit of jealous passion. Williams mined English folksong for Bizet died during Carmen’s short and inspiration, and even when it is not not entirely successful initial run at the quoted directly, there is a distinct Opéra-Comique in Paris. However a folkloric flavour to much of his work. In staging in later that same year The Lark Ascending, this folkloric flavour fared better, with the opera subsequently appears in the use of modes, and in the charming audiences throughout Europe work’s middle section, which moves into during the remainder of the decade. a duple, folksy metre. Carmen made a triumphant return to the The work is inspired by a poem by Opéra-Comique in 1883 and has since George Meredith, but does not attempt been a staple of the repertoire. a programmatic transcription. Vaughan In Act I of the opera, Carmen tries to Williams quotes a line from the poem in his seduce the morally upright Don José, and manuscript, ‘He is the dance of children’, sings her famous ‘Habanera’ (‘Love is a suggesting the freedom of the lark’s rebellious bird, that no one can tame…’). flight. It opens with the violin seeming to extemporise around open intervals, in a First performance: 3 March 1875, passage that immediately evokes ascent. Opéra-Comique, Paris. The entire work is cadenza-like, and captures the ecstasy of the lark’s song, George Gershwin but the modal flavours also suffuse it in (1898 – 1937) nostalgia, a yearning quality. Porgy and Bess: Summertime Vaughan Williams drafted a version of The The all-too-brief life and career Lark Ascending for violin and piano in 1914, of George Gershwin reads like a but set it aside following the outbreak of metaphor for the American Dream. The the First World War, in which he served in Brooklyn boy born Jacob Gershovitz

19 About The Music

George Gershwin Charles-Marie Widor to Russian Jewish parents started out recommended him to an appointment at as a Tin Pan Alley song plugger before Saint-Sulpice in Paris, where he remained conquering Broadway and Hollywood. as organist for 64 years. His songwriting partnership with older Widor’s influence was far-reaching, with brother Ira produced a string of hit parallel careers as recitalist, composer, shows and songs that defined an era and critic, and, for many years, teacher at the underscored the American Century. His Paris Conservatoire, where he succeeded last major work, the folk opera Porgy César Franck as professor of organ and Bess, hinted at the yet-to-be-fulfilled and Théodore Dubois as professor of promise of a soaring artistic trajectory composition. His pupils included Vierne, cut short by his untimely death of a brain Tournemire and Albert Schweitzer, with tumour at the age of 38. Based on a whom he collaborated on an urtext DuBose Heyward novel set in the slums edition of the organ works of JS Bach, of Catfish Row in Charleston,Porgy and whose oeuvre exerted an indelible Bess featured several of what would influence on Widor’s playing and become Gershwin’s most famous songs, teaching style and compositional output. including Clara’s lullaby, ‘Summertime’. As composer he produced a large body of First performance: 30 September 1935 (Boston); music in various forms, including opera, 10 October 1935 (Broadway premiere). orchestral works, chamber music and songs. Central to his legacy are the ten Charles-Marie Widor multi-movement solo organ symphonies, (1844 - 1937) in which he exhibited a diverse range Symphony for Organ and Orchestra, of influences and styles and exploited Op.42bis the tonal possibilities of the Cavaillé- Coll organ. The Toccata from Organ (arranged by Widor from Organ Symphony No.5 is one of the best-loved Symphonies Nos 2 and 6) pieces in the organ repertoire, as is this I Allegro opening movement from No.6, heard in this performance in a later arrangement Widor’s youthful prodigious talent was by Widor for solo organ and orchestra. recognised by master organ builder Cavaillé-Coll who, some years later, First performance not recorded.

20 (1895 - 1982) Carmina burana: O Fortuna In 1803 a large anthology of medieval poetry was discovered in the abbey of Benediktbeuern in Bavaria. Its 320 poems, written on velum and richly illustrated with illuminated capital letters, are mainly written in medieval Latin, but include texts in Old French and Middle High German. They include examples of religious and ‘moral’ songs, those of springtime and love as well as drinking songs. The Carmina burana (Songs of Beuern) was published in 1847 and it was (Eroica), it has instead the concentrated a later imprint of this which came to the intensity of power that Beethoven had attention of Carl Orff in 1934 and inspired been striving for. There is not a single the work with which his name would be surplus note. Beethoven created from forever associated. Its popularity is due that four-note opening figure a motif in no small measure to the ‘O Fortuna’ which has echoes in the third-movement chorus, which bookends the whole work scherzo (on the horns); the transition to with its mighty choral and orchestral the finale (drum-tap rhythm); and the forces and implacable rhythms. finale itself. There is a brief glance back First performance: 8 June 1837, Frankfurt. to the ominous scherzo to prepare the triumphant recapitulation of the finale, Ludwig van Beethoven which then carries all before it. (1770 -1827) Such musical links and back-references Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 have a structurally unifying and dramatic effect, and it is tempting to read a Allegro con brio program into them. The only certainty, Andante con moto however, is that the Fifth takes us from Allegro C minor to triumph in C major. It leads Allegro us through some musical valley of the ‘So fate knocks at the door,’ Beethoven is shadow of death and eventually to a reported to have said of the peremptory Beethovenian vision of heavenly light. four-note figure which opens this most First performance: 22 December 1808, Vienna famous of symphonies. But that was spoken probably a decade after the music Program notes © Symphony Services International was written. There is no evidence that there was any cogent theme of Fate in his mind while he was writing the symphony. In his Fifth Symphony Beethoven created a musical drama of hitherto unparalleled power and tautness. If it lacks the broad grandeur of the Third Symphony

21 WASO Philanthropy

WASO Patrons & Friends Event

An Evening of Art with The tour will be followed by a Q&A and recital with our 2017 Friends of WASO Janet Holmes à Court Scholarship recipient and Principal & Principal Trumpet, Trumpet, Brent Grapes, and conclude Brent Grapes with tasty Margaret River wines and light refreshments.Tickets are $45 for Patron Monday 19 February | 6.00pm and Friends ($55 for guests). Perth Concert Hall This special event will sell quickly, so We invite you to join WASO Chairman, book now at the WASO Box Office or Janet Holmes à Court, and Sharon call 9326 0000. All sales support the Tassicker, Collection & Exhibitions Friends of WASO Scholarship. Manager of the Janet Holmes à Court Collection, for a tour of the newly Principal Trumpet Chair, Brent Grapes is partnered by NAB. installed art works at Perth Concert Hall.

22 Proud sponsor of west australian symphony orchestra

SAL0834_A5_WASO_Prog.indd 1 10/11/2016 3:39 pm 2018 SEASON

Ode to Joy: Asher Fisch Conducts Beethoven 9

MACA LIMITED CLASSICS SERIES Thu 15, Fri 16 & Sat 17 March 2018, 7.30pm Perth Concert Hall

Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy is a dazzling piano solo, a concerto and a large- scale choral work all in one! Asher Fisch is both soloist and conductor in this unique work of grandeur and lyricism, in which Beethoven foreshadows his own Ninth symphony and its iconic ‘Ode to Joy’ finale

BOOK NOW – 9326 0000 – waso.com.au – tickets from $58*

Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts. *A one-off handling fee of $5.50 per transaction applies to all purchases on our website. A fee of $3.85 applies to over the counter bookings. A fee of $6.60 applies to phone and mail bookings. An additional fee of $4.40 per transaction applies for delivery via Registered Post

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