NOTATIONS Autumn 2017

In this edition Australian Series, Companion Pieces Symphony in the Park Rediscovering Music 2017 Symphony by the River, Queanbeyan A trailblazing Meet the Conductor, Jessica Cottis Shell Prom Picnic Concert moment in the history of Australian music.

IMAGE: TOMMY BALOGH Beacon 2015 photo-luminescent media on plexiglass, 125 x 245cm (detail). Photo by Sarah Walker

The first concert, Companion Pieces, Coming up Australian Series, is on Thursday 2 March, and will be Companion Pieces performed by quintet Arcadia Winds- one ActewAGL of the rising stars in the Australian music The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s scene. Following the one hour concert, Llewellyn Series, Australian Series at the National Portrait the audience is invited to merge the aural Gallery is a trailblazing moment in the experience of the Australian Series with the Piano history of Australian music. To say that it visual, in a private after-hours viewing of is a bold step to create an ongoing series the hugely successful NPG exhibition The Wednesday 29 March wholly made up of Australian composition is Popular Pet Show. Thursday 30 March not an understatement. Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 7.30pm Pre-concert talk 6.45pm The Australian Series has been conceived, and will be compered by eminent Australian Thursday 2 March, 6.30pm Conductor Jessica Cottis composer and Deputy Head of School at Piano Daniel de Borah Tickets to the Australian Series are the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Dr $45 each, and include both the RAUTAVAARA Cantus Arcticus Matthew Hindson AM. concert and entry to the exhibition. (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra) Hindson will curate three concerts of bold, Tickets available at cso.org.au, or at the SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No.1 original, emotional and sometimes thought door on the night, from 5.30pm in C minor provoking music during the Australian Series; each of which will be paired with a Pre-concert drinks and light BEETHOVEN Symphony No.6 special exhibition at the National Portrait refreshments available from 5.30pm in F major (Pastoral) Gallery (NPG). Notations Autumn 2017

Symphony in the Park celebrates Canberra’s birthday and ABBA!

It’s been 40 years since ABBA’s earth shattering Australian tour. Relive the From the CEO, electrifying experience as Symphony in Sarah Kimball the Park presents ABBA Live! Featuring ’s #1 ABBA tribute band BABBA. Congratulations to Wyana (CSO’s Principal This is a real highlight of the Canberra Day Percussion) and Matt O’Keeffe on the arrival celebrations, and is an event for the whole of their daughter, Hannah, who is also the family. Conductor George Ellis and the newly arrived little sister to Adelaide. Seeing stars of BABBA have created an orchestral Wyana expertly playing percussion right extravaganza filled with your favourite ABBA hits. You’ll know the words; you’ll know the throughout her pregnancy (including muting moves; you may even have an ABBA-style Sunday 12 March the bass drum with her very full belly at the outfit that you can’t wear out in public most Stage 88, Commonwealth Park Canberra Weekly Matinee Magic) will be a joy days – and you’re invited to bust them all out Concert starts at 7.30pm, but you will to recall for a long time yet. for what will definitely be a brilliant night out almost certainly want to get there earlier for Symphony in the Park. to get a good spot.

Some fantastic news! Rediscovering Canberra Symphony Orchestra is providing Music two scholarships through Rediscovering Music. This is a chance for a ‘hands on’ The Canberra Symphony Orchestra is experience to enhance the journey in enjoying thrilled to be facilitating and presenting music again. It is a chance to discover Rediscovering Music again in 2017. These what they can and cannot be heard and interactive experiences as so important deciphered, and most of all a chance to have for people in our community with hearing some fun! loss. Audiologist and CSO bassoon player Kristen Sutcliffe has designed interesting and The recipients of the scholarships will have engaging programs for the year—again! a full semester of weekly half hour lessons with CSO oboe player Megan Pampling, who Rediscovering Music resumes with is very experienced with teaching adults and Celebrating Sound, a Journey through the is ready for the challenge. This scholarship Ears—Tuesday 7 March 2pm at the Grant will be open to adults with hearing loss, with Cameron Community Centre on Mulley St, preference given to those who have had some Holder; and 5.30pm at the Hellenic Club, participation in the Rediscovering Music Woden. These workshops will feature Steve Program. It is expanding the program by Allen on guitar, and guest speaker Rod Taylor. adding a new facet to it. Notations Autumn 2017

QUEANBEYAN’S SYMPHONY BY THE RIVER Saturday 4 March, 2017

Come to witness the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s first major performance in Queanbeyan. This free open air concert uses our beautiful river as its inspiration featuring music from Mozart, Strauss and Handel. Queen Elizabeth II Park Amphitheatre starts 7pm. Park open at 5.00pm

Reserved seating available by booking at eventbrite.com.au (search events Queanbeyan) or grab a spot on the lawn.

You are invited to bring your own picnic (alcohol is permitted), or you can experience local gourmet street food - beer and wine tasting also available.

General enquiries: (02) 6285 6000 www.qprc.gov.au/CSO Bookings : eventbrite.com.au

The CSO visits Meet the conductor: the neighbours: Jessica Cottis Queanbeyan’s Jessica Cottis joins the Canberra Symphony l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte- Symphony by the River Orchestra from the first of the flagship Carlo, RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, ActewAGL Llewellyn Series Concerts on Bit20 Ensemble Bergen, the Queensland Come be a part of the Canberra Symphony 29 & 30 March. and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, New Orchestra’s first major performance in Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Queanbeyan, with Symphony by the River. Hailed in the UK music press as “one to Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and watch”, Jessica Cottis possesses intellectual In 1717, King George I decided to hold a recording with the BBC Scottish Symphony rigour, innate musicality and an easy Orchestra. This season, she will make a concert on the River Thames, and he asked authority; she is a charismatic figure on the his resident composer Handel to compose welcome return visit to many of the above podium who brings dynamism, intensity and orchestras and makes her Royal Albert Hall something for the occasion. Handel was clarity of vision to all her performances. greatly inspired by the idea of a concert debut for the 2016 BBC Proms. on the river, and went on to create one of Born in Australia and a dual British-Australian In 2015 she was appointed Associate his most famous suites, ‘Water Pieces.’ The citizen, Jessica Cottis was awarded a first Member of the King loved ‘Water Pieces’ so much that he class honours degree in organ, piano and (ARAM), an honorary award for former musicology from the Australian National made the musicians play it twice more, which students who have made a significant University and continued her studies as an pushed the concert in to the wee hours of the contribution to the music profession. organist with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris, morning! Now, precisely three hundred years winning awards from the Royal Philharmonic Jessica Cottis makes her home in Glasgow later, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra plays Society and Royal College of Organists. A and London. Handel’s masterpiece on the Queanbeyan wrist injury subsequently halted her playing River for ‘Symphony on the River.’ This special career and after reading Law, she began concert features music inspired by water from conducting studies in 2006, studying with Mozart, Strauss and of course Handel. Colin Metters and Sir on the “Conductor Jessica Cottis nailed the postgraduate conducting course at the seediness and suavity of Weill’s Seven This free open air concert uses Queanbeyan’s Deadly Sins for Scottish Opera.” beautiful river as its inspiration. Royal Academy of Music. Cottis was awarded the Academy’s top conducting prizes upon Anna Picard THE INDEPENDENT , You are invited to bring your own picnic graduation in July 2009, the same month she 18 Dec 2011 (alcohol is permitted), or you can experience was appointed to her positions at the BBC SSO and RCS, and also Manson Fellow in local gourmet street food—beer and wine “Most impressive was the finale where Composition at the Royal Academy of Music. tasting also available. Cottis chose a speed that highlighted Saturday 4 March Frequently in demand as guest conductor, Mozart’s breathtaking plenitude of Queen Elizabeth II Park Amphitheatre highlights of recent seasons include invention with exhilarating delight. We 7pm, park open at 5pm performances with the Sydney Symphony will hear more of her welcome talent.” Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Peter McCallum BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2 Sept 2013 the Royal Opera House, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Concert Orchestra, Notations Autumn 2017

The great Partnerships that make the CSO Shell Prom Picnic Concert In 2017 the CSO is celebrating 37 years of a partnership with Shell Australia and their years of support that make the hugely popular Shell Prom Picnic possible. It is fair to say, that the partnership between Shell and the CSO is possible one of the longest, continually running arts business 35th Shell Prom collaborations in the country.

Picnic Concert “Shell Australia have been partnering Thank you to everyone who joined us for with the Canberra Symphony the 35th Shell Prom Picnic Concert at Orchestra since 1980 making it one Government House on Saturday 18 February. of the longest continuing arts and business partnerships in Australia. Admittedly, the weather had everyone a We are incredibly proud of our long bit nervous. The terrific rain and thunder term collaboration with the CSO and right throughout the morning had both the our support of the Shell Prom Picnic musicians and Prom organisers on edge Concert at Government House which for most of the day. But, like a heavenly gift, is such an amazing event for the the clouds disappeared just at the gates Canberra region.” of Government House opened, making Andrew Smith, Country Chair, the evening of music from the Canberra Shell Australia Symphony Orchestra and Guitar Trek absolutely stunning. The way the weather played out, everyone was a winner! The For the first time in 2017, Icon Water also firefighters who were working to contain the supported the Prom with the new Icon devastating Carwoola bushfire got a much Water Kids Cool Zone—a designated fun needed drenching for most of the day, and area full to the brim of activity for kids of all the CSO had clear skies at night. ages. Icon has a strong commitment to the Canberra community and education and the are contained face painting, badge making, bubble machines and hands on activities such as …. Needless to say, it was a huge success and the CSO is thrilled to work with Icon in supporting the Prom.

Photos: Gavin Jackson