vertures December 2014

WALTZINGTHE NIGHT AWAY Wrest Point swayed to a central Left: Jo Scott’s guest appearance as European beat on the evening of Saturday conductor. 13 September as the Tasmanian Symphony Below left: David Orchestra under conductor Brett Kelly reeled Warren successfully off one waltz after another at the Viennese bid to dance with Ball, the TSO’s major fundraising event for TSO Oboist Dinah the year. Woods. Below right: In addition to Viennese music, guests were Elvio Brianese treated to a three-course Viennese menu successfully bid to specially curated by Robin Kelly, Senior Chef dance with Anne de Cuisine at Wrest Point. The dessert buffet Kim. — which groaned under the weight of Sacher Torte, Linzer Torte, Gugelhupf, apple strudel and other treats — proved especially popular! The Austrian fare was complemented by Tasmanian wines courtesy of Home Hill, Kelvedon Estate, Lake Barrington, Laurel Bank, Milton and Sugarloaf Ridge. Ryk Goddard kept the night bouncing along as MC and once the waltzing was done DJ Martin Blackwell brought on the turntable. Being a fundraising event, there were auction and silent auction items on offer. Among the most highly contested were a weekend at MONA and, as per tradition, the chance to conduct the TSO, which was won by Jo Scott, TSO Foundation supporter and TSO Friend. David Warren successfully bid to dance with Dinah Woods, TSO Oboe, and Elvio Brianese successfully bid to dance with Anne Kim, wife of Concertmaster Jun Yi Ma. John Soundy, of Ripple Realty, did a marvellous job as auctioneer. continued on page 2 HUNTERS AND Left: Dean Cleaver, Emirates Regional COLLECTORS Manager VIC/ SA/TAS and NT, Stephanie Do you have items of TSO memorabilia Cleaver, Allanah including concert programs, newspaper Dopson, Nicola Hodgman and The clippings, photographs and the like? If so, Honourable Will would you be happy to loan them to us Hodgman, Premier so that we can scan them for our digital of Tasmania. archive? Far left: Damon Thomas and For the moment, we are calling for items Jun Yi Ma, TSO from the 1960s and 1970s only. We’ll Concertmaster. broaden the time period once we have the Left: Ryk Goddard. 60s and 70s sorted. All images by Richard Jupe The best way to get items to us would be to drop them in to the TSO Box Office in . Alternatively, you can post them to us at GPO Box 1450, Hobart TAS 7001. Don’t forget to include your return address. Should you have any queries, please email David Havey, Orchestra Librarian, [email protected], or phone 6232 4429. waltzing the night away

continued from page 1 The Viennese Raffle was launched on the night, the prize being a luxury 12-day Austrian holiday courtesy of Emirates Airlines and the Austrian National Tourist Office. Fittingly, Mr Dean Cleaver, Emirates Regional Manager VIC/SA/TAS and NT, was on hand to say a few words. In addition to Emirates Airlines and the Austrian National Tourist Office, the TSO would like to acknowledge the support of Wrest Point, the six vineyards listed above, Hobart Autohaus and Launceston BMW for contributing to the success of the evening. An event of this magnitude does not organise itself. To that end, the TSO would like to thank the members of the Ball Committee who generously volunteered their time and services: Kate Berger, Gemma Black, Lucy Carrig Jones, Tara Kelly and Michelle Warren — take a bow!

TSO IN THE COMMUNITY Look out as TSO musicians break out! Recent events include a performance for TSO musicians are keen to be involved TSO musicians have been busy outside the residents of Umina Park aged care in the community and share the joy of the concert hall these past few months facility in Burnie, a concert for school music with people of all ages. The TSO participating in outreach activities in a children at Kingston Library, a Christmas is particularly eager to connect with wide range of venues. concert by the TSO Horn Quartet at the those who are unable to attend concerts Royal Hobart Hospital and visits to the or have not been exposed to orchestral Lady Gowrie child care centre in Moonah. music in the past. The message is simple: The Lady Gowrie visits form part of an the TSO is for everyone! on-going program to introduce this particular group of young children to the instruments of the orchestra.

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As part of the celebrations marking 100 Years of Hydro Tasmania, the TSO gave a concert at the historic Hydro village of Tarraleah in the Central Highlands on the afternoon of Saturday 8 November. Although Tarraleah was established in the mid-1930s, large numbers of migrants from war-shattered Europe transformed the village in the second half of the 1940s. “Their common Hydro bond brought English, Polish, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Eastern European and other migrants together with Tasmanians and other Australians, and created lively and diverse Hydro communities,” said Hydro Chairman Grant Every- Burns, who opened the concert. In honour of those Hydro workers, many of whom still call 3 Tasmania home, the orchestra, under Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Marko Letonja, performed works by Respighi, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Handel, as well as a specially commissioned piece, Tarraleah, by Hobart-based composer Maria Grenfell. Cellist Sue-Ellen Paulsen appeared as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. The concert played to a full and appreciative audience at Tarraleah’s Great Hall. All proceeds went to Colony 47. Hydro Tasmania has been a sponsor of the TSO for more than two decades and, since the start of this year, Principal Partner.

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1 Composer Maria Grenfell takes a bow. 2 Roger Jackson checks the acoustics. 3 Grant Every-Burns, Hydro Chairman, welcomes guests while Stephen Davy, Hydro CEO, looks on. 4 Ian Wollstein, TSO Technical Coordinator, supervises the set-up. 5 Photographic exhibition in the village. 6 Marko Letonja, Sue-Ellen Paulsen and orchestra in rehearsal. 3 STEPPING UP TO comings and goings THE PODIUM Aspiring conductors gathered in JESSICA ARMSON has joined the TSO as Hobart 18-22 October for the Symphony Philanthropy and Special Events Coordinator. Services International Conductor Born and raised in Brisbane, she graduated Development Program hosted by the from the University of Queensland before TSO and led by Johannes Fritzsch, living in London for a number of years Chief Conductor of the Queensland and travelling around Europe. Returning Symphony Orchestra and now resident in to Brisbane, she took up a position at the Hobart. The participants — Christopher Queensland Art Gallery Foundation where Dragon, Michael Keen, Ingrid Martin, she established her career in philanthropy. Sarah Penicka-Smith and Natalia Seeking further adventure and wanting to Raspopova — took part in a range of develop her interests in philanthropy, she activities including working with small spent 18 months in the remote Aboriginal ensembles before stepping up to the podium in front of the whole orchestra. community of Mulan in Western Australia Repertoire ranged from Mendelssohn to where she launched an art and cultural Brahms to Shostakovich. The week was centre and community development project. rounded off with drinks and nibbles in Tasmania beckoned when her husband was Jessica Armson. Janet Rutherford. the Green Room for course participants, admitted as a PhD candidate on scholarship in the School of Architecture & Design at TSO musicians and members of the TSO orchestra in Australia and overseas, and her the . Happily, Pablo Conductor’s Circle. many engagements with Howard Shelley. the cat was okay about moving to Tasmania She is especially proud of performing Richard too! Jessica has settled in well at the TSO Johannes Fritzsch offers advice to Natalia Mills’ Concerto for Violin and Viola (again, and particularly enjoys getting to know all Raspopova and Michael Keen. with her sister Barbara), which was recorded the wonderful supporters and patrons over a and released on CD in the TSO’s Australian glass of bubbly. Composer Series on ABC Classics. Janet has After 28 years as Principal Viola with the TSO, enjoyed the camaraderie of members of the JANET RUTHERFORD has decided to retire. orchestra, especially the very supportive viola She has made the decision with very mixed section. Her last concert with the TSO will be emotions. Canberra-born Janet took up the Ben Folds Live with the TSO on 10 December. post in 1987 and remembers fondly many She will not be hanging up the viola for highlights of her years with the orchestra good and looks forward to different musical including performing Mozart’s Sinfonia adventures. “I will enjoy returning to the TSO concertante with her sister (then TSO as a member of the audience and wish the Concertmaster) Barbara Gilby and conductor players well. I plan to spend many hours on Stuart Challender; Vaughan Williams’ Flos the bowls green – when I’m not scuba diving!” campi (on two occasions); touring with the The TSO wishes Janet well in her retirement.

Sonya Pigot takes a bow at The Big Rehearsal. BIGGER AND BETTER

In what has become an annual event, Rehearsal was led by conductor Repertoire played through on the members of the Tasmanian Youth Richard Gill, one of the nation’s most day included the Symphony No 2 Orchestra (TYO) spent a day mingling revered music educators. “The Big by Sibelius and the Festive Overture with their professional counterparts in Rehearsal is a really important chance by Shostakovich. Sonya Pigot, a The Big Rehearsal. This year a total of for these young players to learn on student at St Michael’s Collegiate 76 orchestral players were involved, the job from professional musicians,” School and winner of the Rising Star including 32 from the TYO. said Richard. “It’s up to the kids to competition, was soloist in the second Held in Federation Concert Hall on extract as much information as they movement of the Piano Concerto No 2 Saturday 20 September, The Big can from their TSO mentors.” by Saint-Saëns.

4 ALBERT HALL GETS A STEINWAY

Until now, whenever the TSO required a piano for performances in Launceston’s Albert Hall, one of the Hobart Steinways had to be hauled onto the back of a truck, driven up the Midland Highway, carried up the front stairs of Albert Hall, wheeled across the auditorium and hoisted, with considerable difficulty, onto the stage. The piano then had to be tuned. None of this was 1 particularly good for the instrument and, as you might imagine, it wasn’t much fun for those doing the heavy lifting. And, of course, it was costly. But as of last month, the TSO now has a Steinway & Sons concert grand permanently housed in Albert Hall thanks to a grant of $25,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund. The bulk of the grant was spent refurbishing the piano, a job that was done by piano technicians in Sydney. The reconditioned Steinway now sits in its own climate controlled box in the wings of the Albert Hall stage. Having a top-notch Steinway in Albert Hall is good for the TSO and good for Launceston as the instrument will be used not just by the orchestra, but by other music groups and local schools. It also means that ABC Classic FM will have the freedom to record and broadcast concerts from Albert Hall featuring piano.

The Steinway was officially launched at a function on the stage of Albert 2 Hall on 12 November. Lynn Mason, Chair of the Tasmanian Community Fund, outlined the role of the TCF in supporting the project, and Nicholas Heyward and Robert Gibson from the TSO explained the significance of the project to the TSO and discussed the piano itself.

1 Robert Gibson. 2 Sue Madden, Yvonne and Keith Adkins. 3 Stephen and Heidi King with Alida and Peter Quigley. 3 4 Karen Calford, Professor David Rich and Glenys Rich. 5 Lynn Mason, Chair of the Here’s a Tasmanian Community Fund, Robert Gibson and Christmas gift with Nicholas Heyward. 4 a difference!

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You can make a donation to the TSO on behalf of someone else. A gift with real value, your donation will help the TSO deliver programs to schools, hospitals, aged care facilities and other organisations. You will receive a receipt for your tax- deductible donation and the person on whose behalf you make your donation will receive a hand-written TSO Christmas card. To make your donation or for further information, please contact Jessica Armson, Philanthropy and Special Events Coordinator, on 6232 4405 or email [email protected]. 5 Edwina George. Grant Taylor, Diane Truskett, Astrid Mulholland from the Austrian National Tourist Office, Muriel Morillon, Carol Samuelson and Keith Anderson.

Musicians from the TSO have continued to I came here to eat!” In 2012 she took up Principal Bassoon with , volunteer their time to speak and perform a scholarship at the Australian National which performs for The Australian Ballet, for TSO Friends. Academy of Music and the following year and Victorian Opera. The was appointed to the position of Tutti Violin concert came to an end with Poulenc’s Violinist Edwina George appeared at back- with the TSO. Edwina spoke about the Trio, a delightful piece which demonstrated to-back engagements when she spoke and importance of marrying the sound of the the versatility and skill of the musicians. played for northern Tasmanian members in violin to the personality of the musician. Audience members appreciated the fluid, Launceston on 28 September and southern Her own violin was made in London by mellow harmony of the bassoon and oboe, Tasmanian members in Hobart on 5 October. Jacob Ford in 1780. As she pointed out, this Jennifer’s empathetic accompaniment and Taking up the violin at the age of four, was around the same time that the young the liveliness of the interpretation. After the Edwina spoke of her very first attempts at Mozart composed his five violin concertos. concert, TSO Friends were able to chat with playing the instrument — difficult when it the musicians and showed particular interest consisted of a cereal box, ruler and pencil! Meet the Woodwind Trio in Hobart on in Dinah’s new reed-making equipment. — and her dogged determination to master 16 November consisted of TSO musicians the violin, even if it meant travelling from Dinah Woods (oboe) and Tahnee van The generosity of TSO musicians in providing Bundaberg to Brisbane for weekly lessons, a Herk (bassoon), and Jennifer Marten- such beautiful musical programs for TSO four-hour car journey each way. A graduate Smith (piano), Associate Lecturer in Friends is very much appreciated. Heartfelt of Queensland and Griffith universities Accompaniment at the Conservatorium of thanks to Edwina, Dinah, Tahnee and Jennifer. (the latter being the Conservatorium of Music. The afternoon’s concert included Music), Edwina recalled some of her more a trio by English composer Geoffrey Bush Members of TSO Friends have been busy unusual gigs in Queensland, including and sonatas by Schumann and Saint-Saëns. selling tickets in the TSO’s Viennese Raffle, playing down a mine shaft and outside Members of TSO Friends were delighted to which was drawn on 29 November. The prize, a fish and chips shop on the Gold Coast, get to know Tahnee, a relative newcomer a luxury 12-day Austrian holiday for two, where one uncultured patron was heard to to the TSO. She spoke about her career to was donated by Emirates Airlines and the mutter, “This isn’t the #x!y@z Opera House, date, including her position as Associate Austrian National Tourist Office.

Above: Dinah Woods explains the finer points of reed making. Left: Tahnee van Herk, Jennifer Marten-Smith and Dinah Woods. 6 LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

The Brothers Grimm might have been responsible for popularising well-known fairy tales, but there was nothing grim about Federation Concert Hall on the evening of 16 October when it teemed with children of all ages in fancy dress for Little Red Riding Hood, the final Betta Milk Family Classics concert for the year. There were red riding hoods galore, plenty of wolves, a prince charming or two and Jack with his very own beanstalk accompanied by harp sidekick. Indeed, Jack and his harp buddy won the costume competition. Frank and Nikki from Betta Milk were on hand to keep the youngsters entertained and to judge the competition — a very difficult task given the standard of entrants, as you can see from these photos.

7 Manager, who, the following month, took part Symphony with conductor Johannes Fritzsch. in the Tasmania Police Charity Trust Bike Ride, No strangers to rehearsals themselves, the codetta a gruelling three-day ride across northern youngsters were able to see and hear how it is Tasmania. John raised over $900 for the Trust, done by professionals. The budding musicians an organisation which assists a wide range of were a long way from home — Cammeray is Bicycles are a normal sight around the corridors people, especially those who find life difficult a suburb on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. The of the TSO but there were certainly more due to disadvantage, severe impairment or TSO visit formed part of the band’s tour of than usual on Wednesday 15 October, which illness. Tasmania, which saw it perform at Bellerive was national Ride to Work Day. The award for Primary School, Clarence High School, the longest commute went to Lloyd Hudson, Members of the Cammeray Public School Southern Support School, Barossa Lodge in who cycled all the way from Primrose Sands, Concert Band had an up-close-and-personal Glenorchy and Port Arthur. a distance of more than 50km. And, yes, he encounter with the TSO on 30 October when cycled home too! Among the Ride to Work Day they sat on the stage of Federation Concert The TSO is featured on a soon-to-be-released participants was John De Paoli, TSO Business Hall as the orchestra rehearsed Mozart’s Linz CD, Gallipoli — A Tribute. A joint project between the Ian Potter Cultural Trust and Monash University, the CD is dedicated to RSL Australia, RSA New Zealand and Legacy. The TSO’s contribution is Elegy for Strings “In Memoriam Rupert Brooke” by Sydney-born tso partners composer, Frederick Septimus Kelly. Kelly wrote CORE PUBLIC SUPPORT the work while stationed at Gallipoli in 1915. Elegy for Strings will be performed by the TSO The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is assisted by the Australian in Federation Concert Hall next year as part Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Tasmanian Government through the Minister for of the Essentially Elgar concert on 27 March. the Arts, and the Tasmanian Icon Program. Gallipoli — A Tribute will be released in January principal PARTNER 2015. Robert Clark, Principal Bass Trombone, clocked up 40 years with the orchestra in September. Congratulations Rob! PREMIER PARTNERs The Steinway & Sons concert grand newly installed on the stage of Albert Hall in Launceston (see page 5) carries an intriguing inscription in ink on the iron frame. The pianist major PARTNERS Lili Kraus writes of her delight in “christening” the piano on 4 April 1970. A little bit of Hobart Autohaus archival sleuthing has revealed that on that Launceston BMW particular date she performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A major, K414, in Hobart under leadership PARTNERS Verdon Williams, the orchestra’s then Resident Conductor. Born in Budapest in 1903, Lili Kraus was a leading interpreter of Mozart’s music. Indeed, she played 25 Mozart concertos in a partners single series in New York in 1966-67. Word around the orchestra is that the Gaiety Theatre in Zeehan is a gem of a venue. The orchestra gave a concert there on 7 November and was struck by the marvellous acoustics. Some musicians even said that they would like all future recordings to be made there. A nice idea, but probably not practical!

wine partners Guests at a Government House reception on 18 November for Xi Jinping, the President of China, were serenaded by three musicians from the TSO — Miranda Carson, Chris Nicholas and Martin Penicka — together with Jo St Leon. In June, the Hush Foundation donated $30,000 to the Tasmanian Health Organisation — South. media supporters The money was raised through the sale of Hush CDs. You can play your part in supporting this wonderful charity by buying a copy of we also wish to thank The Magic Island, the TSO’s contribution to the Hush Collection. Purchase this CD of Foot & Playsted In Graphic Detail For information on TSO Partner opportunities, please contact all-Australian music online or at the TSO Box Gabrielle Lis on 6232 4430 or email [email protected] Office for only $25. Perfect for Christmas!

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