Encore. Celebrating the Friends of WASO Scholarship Recipients THE NEWSLETTER FOR WASO PATRONS & FRIENDS

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1 Encore THE NEWSLETTER FOR WASO PATRONS & FRIENDS Celebrating the Friends of WASO Scholarship Recipients On Sunday 23rd September, 60 Patrons and Friends enjoyed listening to the Friends of WASO Scholarship recipients, Associate Concertmaster Margaret Blades and tutti violin Louise Sandercock provide accounts of their recent study trips to Europe, which had been assisted by the funds from their scholarships, as well as play some beautiful music. Above: L-R: Louise Sandercock (violin) & Margaret O Halloran (Friend of WASO). Top: L-R: Stan Vicich, Dr Paul Lee, Ian Stacy (Patrons) & Margaret Blades (Associate Concertmaster). The music was, as always, sublime with suites by Bach and Bartok and they also proved to be master raconteurs when it came to describing their travels, which in Louise s case was her first to Europe. Margaret and Louise had very parallel careers. They had both been students at Adelaide University and had both studied under famous Australian violinist, Beryl Kimber. They met up coincidently in Salzburg while away. Margaret studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. As the name suggests, this university honours the name of this city s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She studied under the world artist Pierre Amoyal from Lausanne giving her a better understanding of the Russian and French styles of violin playing. Her early teacher Beryl Kimber had studied under the great David Oistrakh, so the Russian style was more familiar to Margaret. This means stronger bowing, nearer to the bridge with a lot of vibrato. The French style is quite different - being much softer and with gentler bowing. Margaret felt that many Australian violinists would benefit as she had from spending time with Pierre Amyoral. Not everybody may be able to travel to Lausanne or Salzburg, so maybe bringing Pierre to Perth would be a worthwhile initiative, she posed. This is food for thought? Louise s studies were in the Czech Republic and Italy and she showed photographs of her trips with an entertaining discourse. After separate solos, Margaret and Louise played the Bartok together, much to the audience s delight. They both expressed their warm appreciation of not only the scholarship but the more general support given to WASO musicians by the Patrons and Friends communities. The event again underlined how fortunate Perth music lovers are to have such talent and to be privileged to hear two of our violinists perform and to learn what delightful people they are. The afternoon concluded by sharing canapés and glass of wine with them afterwards. The Patrons & Friends Committee alongside the WASO Private Giving Team work hard to produce the calendar of Patrons & Friends events each year. We hope you enjoy all these events, proud in the knowledge that all proceeds support the Friends of WASO Scholarship which provides these wonderful opportunities for our musicians.

2 Paul Daniel conducting DJ Zeke and WASO at the 2012 Latitude series. In Conversation with Paul Daniel and Evan Kennea Really, how hard can it be to organise a season of orchestral concerts? We, in the audience, simply turn up at the concert hall to see the musicians come on stage with their instruments, get an A from the oboe to check their tuning, wait for the conductor and then listen to the music. Well, the programs we enjoy have been put together after a great deal of planning, usually at least two years in advance. Many factors are in the mix before a program can be finalised: what to play, who is to conduct, who will be the soloist, when did we last play it, what was the audience reaction and will it fit in with overall program? Also important is the commercial reality, how many tickets will be sold. Paul Daniel and Evan Kennea gave a insight into the many steps in the planning for concerts. For example should a piece be in the Classic or Masters series, is there a compatibility between soloist, conductor and orchestra etc. etc. We, the concert goers, can only marvel at the end result which is usually stunning. These are no doubt issues for all orchestras, but in Perth there is another dimension. Encore October 2012 Our isolation reduces the flexibility to make late changes in the event of illness, for example. Earlier this year violinist Sasha Rozhdestvensky was unable to perform and with one week to go Evan frantically had to find a replacement by literally scouring the world for a suitable artist. He succeeded in obtaining the services of Dutch violinist, Simone Lamsma. She was available, could play the Mendelssohn (brilliantly, as it turned out), could get to Perth in time, so on the surface all was well. Behind the scenes however, Simone had never been to Australia and had a commitment back in Europe the following week. Those who travel to and from Europe can appreciate the strain. Simone arrived on Wednesday, rehearsed with WASO on Thursday (notwithstanding jet lag) and played superbly at the concerts on Friday and Saturday. Had Evan not been successful, a change to the program would have been unavoidable. Simone Young recently revealed that in Hamburg an opera scheduled can be replaced as late as 2pm on the day of the concert. This does not happen often because they can usually find replacement artists somewhere in Europe, perhaps only an hour s flight away. Not so easy in Perth! The long lead time in programming is essential because most visiting world artists are usually booked one or two years ahead. The fact that this In Conversation event took place at the Astor Theatre after rehearsal for the Latitude concerts, also gave a first hand look at the logistics involved in moving the orchestra from one venue to another. This happens regularly with moves from the Perth Concert Hall to His Majesty s or elsewhere for the Opera and Ballet seasons, plus any other touring that the orchestra or ensembles may undertake. Everybody has their own view on the type of music they wish to hear at concerts so it was very interesting to learn how the team at WASO pull all the competing artistic, audience and financial strings together to create such beautiful programs. The Friends and Patrons who attended were thanked by President Robyn Glindemann and reminded that any profits from these events go to the Friends of WASO Scholarship.

3 Masterclass with... L-R: Emily Leung (student), Alexandra Isted (student) & Tasmin Little (violin). Tasmin Little British violinist Tasmin Little, in Perth to perform the Bruch concerto with WASO, conducted a masterclass for three young violinists at the Callaway Auditorium, UWA on Thursday 9 August. The evening was compered by WASO director Mark Coughlan and the large audience comprised students, families, WASO musicians and patrons. The masterclasses form a very important part of WASO s calendar, and are gratefully assisted by the sponsorship of Apache Energy. Music students gain a valuable insight into the art of performing from being chosen to be put under the microscope by a world artist. The three students, Katherine Schinnick from WAAPA, Emily Leung who was nominated by the Australian Strings Association and Alexandra Isted a former student at the Australian National Academy of Music who is currently a music student at UWA performed a short piece and received feedback. Tasmin Little was particularly good at imparting some very incisive pointers in a warm and mostly humorous way. She has a wonderful personality and is able to relax the student without lessening the importance of her message. In all cases the suggestions were made to enhance the performance of violinists who are already well advanced in the technical aspects of their instruments. Alexandra later said that all three students benefitted enormously from the opportunity to be critiqued by Tasmin. It was a particularly nice gesture that Emily made a small presentation to Tasmin on behalf of the three students. Both Katherine and Alexandra have experience playing with WASO and in fact Alexandra was a visiting violinist in the weekend s concerts, sharing the stage with Tasmin Little. From a patron s perspective, these occasions add greatly to the overall understanding of the world of music as well as appreciating the pool of talented young musicians we have in WA. L-R: Simon Frosi (student), Stephen Hough (piano, World Artist), Anastasia Buettner-Moore (student) & Rachel Chan (student). Stephen Hough Three young pianists had the opportunity to play for visiting world artist Stephen Hough in the Music Auditorium at WAAPA on Saturday 1st September. Anastasia Buettner-Moore nominated by UWA played Schumann s Sonata in G minor Op 22: So rash wie moglich (as fast as possible!). Stephen talked about Schumann s impetuosity and instability and this should come through in the body language of the performer to some extent in the form of more light and shade. Rachel Chan, nominated by Churchlands Senior High School, played Chopin s Nocturne Op 27: No 2. In this case Stephen focused on the left hand doing the background work with the right hand being the Prima Donna with its strong colour. He suggested that Chopin can be practised by playing only the left hand and the right hand coming in more as the shock. Even though you know it is coming, you can accentuate the effect with some definite body movement. The third student was Simon Frosi, nominated by WAAPA who played the Moderator from Concerto No 2 by Rachmaninov. This is a very challenging piece mainly because the chords were composed to suit the very large hands of Rachmaninov. Most pianists find it difficult to play all the notes in a chord but this need not be a problem. The orchestral passage does tend to overpower the piano and not all notes are audible. When the right hand crosses over the left it can be difficult to exert enough power with the right hand. To counter this Stephen suggested moving slightly to the left for these passages. All three played with great skill and were very attentive to Stephen s advice. The audience were treated to some beautiful music. With two Steinway grand pianos side by side it allowed Stephen to demonstrate his points by playing alongside and at times with the student. This was a special experience for the audience.

4 Join us in Making Music Together! WASO patron Janet Holmes à Court AC will generously match $15,000 raised by the community for Making Music Together. Our commissioning program, the WASO Song Book, has a new campaign, Making Music Together which seeks to raise $30,0000 to fund an original composition by an acclaimed composer. Making Music Together asks you to donate $500 or more to achieve this goal and everyone is welcome to become involved. Janet Holmes à Court AC, founding patron of the WASO Song Book, will generously match $15,000 raised by the community to reach a total of $30,000. As Janet Holmes à Court AC said to WASO subscribers and Patrons after the Tavener premiere (a work commissioned by Janet), commissions can be supported in many different ways for many different reasons. Ten friends can get together to commission a new work for the eleventh friend s birthday. A commission can celebrate an anniversary, the birth of a grandchild, the memory of a loved one or it can be for the simple pleasure of leaving a legacy to your love of music. We are halfway to reaching our $15,000 target and would like to thank and welcome the following donors to our Making Music Together campaign: Bernard Barnwell Glenda Campbell-Evans Robyn Glindemann Geoff Stearn Patricia Williams Anonymous (1) All our Making Music Together donors will be kept updated on the progress of the commission and there will be an opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the new work and meet the composer. It is a wonderful and very special way to get closer to your Orchestra. Enclosed is a Making Music Together donation form if you would like to be part of this commission program and help us reach our target! By being involved you will also have the pleasure of knowing you have enabled the creation of a new work of art that would otherwise not exist. For further information, please contact WASO s Executive Manager, Private Giving, Alecia Benzie on or benziea@waso.com.au L-R: Amy Stokes, Alecia Benzie & Sarah Gallinagh. Farewell to Amy Stokes We were sad to farewell Private Giving Team member, the lovely Amy Stokes, who recently moved on to an exciting new role at The University of Western Australia. We wish Amy all the best and look forward to seeing her at a WASO concert! Meanwhile Executive Manager, Private Giving, Alecia Benzie and Annual Giving and Bequests Coordinator, Sarah Gallinagh are holding the fort and look forward to catching up with Patrons & Friends over the last few months of Thank you to Barry Neubecker A big thank you to Patrons & Friends Committee Member, Barry Neubecker, for providing much of the content for our Encore newsletters. His entertaining and engaging summaries of our events for Patrons & Friends are appreciated by readers and WASO staff. Encore October 2012

5 A Walk Down Memory Lane with Maestro Vladimir Verbitsky Patrons are important to WASO, their financial contribution being vital to the viability of the organisation. The opportunity to be involved is often described as a privilege by many patrons and it was certainly a privilege to be a part of a very special evening at the Perth Mint to meet Conductor Laureate Vladimir Verbitsky and his wife Nellie and to be entertained by a small group of musicians who have had a long and happy association with the Maestro over his 25 years at WASO. In the gold-pouring room at the mint, Michael Waye entered with a haunting flute solo after which a warm welcome was given by Alecia Benzie, Executive Manager, Private Giving. John Ford took over as MC and guests were then treated to some wonderful music and anecdotes from John, Allan Meyer, Helen Tuckey, Tim White and Rob Gladstones. All obviously have a deep affection and respect for Maestro Verbitsky and his dedication to perfection. Allan recalled the terror at the end of a performance of Rachmaninoff Symphony No 2 in which he had a long clarinet solo. Maestro Verbitsky strode through the orchestra straight to Allan whose first thought was what have I done? He was taken firmly by the arm and led to the front of the stage and made to take a bow, which lasts as a rich memory for Allan. Violist Helen Tuckey took the opportunity to relate her great Russian moment when she met the famous Aram Khachaturian. Bypassing the Russian interpreter, they managed some conversation in German. He asked if she knew Shostakovich s Viola Sonata to which she replied she did not. A few days later in the mail, she received the full score, in Russian, from Khachaturian a truly prized possession! This function was a warm and friendly occasion allowing patrons to meet Maestro Verbitsky and his charming wife and to chat with the musicians. The venue seemed appropriate given the place gold holds in the history of Western Australia since the late 19 th century. The position of WASO in the community today is almost synonymous with this history. WASO needs constant financial support to grow and maintain its excellence so more patrons are always very welcome. The rich reward patrons receive in return is, above all, the appreciation of the dedicated staff and musicians. Notes from Department of Immigration and Citizenship Born in Leningrad (St Petersburg) Vladimir graduated from the Leningrad Conservatoire in piano and conducting. After holding several Chief Conductor positions in Russia, it was in 1986 when he was first introduced to his Australian audience during a USSR State Symphony Orchestra Australasian tour. At the end of the tour he was invited to be the Music Director of Orchestra Victoria. He was appointed guest conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in 1987, principal guest conductor in 1992, and conductor laureate in In 2009 Vladimir Verbitsky was conferred as an Australian citizen by the former Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans at a citizenship ceremony after a performance Mr Verbitsky had conducted with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) at the Perth Concert Hall. Tim White told of how Vladimir picked up more of the English language as the years and his visits to Perth progressed. However, Tim fondly remembers the orchestra to be urged more less when seeking an even quieter passage. He also remembered nobody leaving the Concert Hall when Vladimir officially became an Australian citizen after a concert in Rob Gladstones added his thoughts as to what it meant to play under Vladimir s baton and then gave guests a premiere of his newly-acquired horn in a duet with Allan. Maestro Verbitsky told the guests he regards WASO as a worldclass orchestra and in fact his special favourite. Finally, Vladimir and Nellie were presented with gold brooches making them honorary patrons of WASO. Above: Vladimir Verbitsky (Conductor Laureate). Top: Allan Meyer (clarinet), Helen Tuckey (viola), Vladimir Verbitsky (Conductor Laureate), John Ford (Principal 2nd Violin), Tim White (percussion), Nellie Verbitsky & Michael Waye (Principal Piccolo).

6 An evening with World Artist Stephen Hough Continuing to provide the opportunity for patrons to meet visiting world artists, a dinner was held at the Old Swan Brewery on August 30 for English pianist Stephen Hough. WASO board member Mark Coughlan hosted the evening and had an entertaining conversation with Stephen after the dinner with an opportunity for patrons to ask Stephen their own questions. It was a wonderful evening and Stephen proved to be an engaging, warm and intelligent raconteur. Stephen Hough became a world artist after a humble start as a boy who simply liked the piano. His parents bowed to his request and bought an old upright piano for five pounds from a Liverpool music shop. His parents did not pester him to play the piano but he spent many hours playing and even composing small pieces. It was only after he won a competition (surprising even himself) that his parents realised that Stephen had real talent. He continued to pursue music, becoming a professional musician at the age of 21. He believes there are usually high expectations from winning piano competitions, but in fact this is only the start of a very long journey. The first performance bookings may be relatively easy but return bookings depend on ability and repertoire. Stephen continues to write music as well as poetry and is obviously a deep thinker about many aspects of music and how performance has evolved over the years. For example, early musicians wore dress suits because that is how the audience dressed in the very early days of public and private concerts. Modern dress has become more relaxed yet orchestras continue to dress formally on most occasions. Alecia Benzie (Executive Manager, Private Giving) with Gay & Bob Branchi (Patrons). Encore October 2012 In answering questions, Stephen revealed other interesting insights: soloists playing from memory is not traditional. Chopin even found it disrespectful to do so while Liszt was probably the first musician to play without music. Stephen said it would take about a year to learn a concerto like Rachmaninoff s 3rd to the extent of achieving a real feel for the work. He does not listen to other artists recordings when learning a new work, feeling it is more important to study and understand what the composer intended rather than another s interpretation. He also has no problem with audiences clapping between movements, and in fact rather likes it. Australia is a desirable destination for Stephen musically and also because his father was born in Mayfield near Newcastle in NSW prior to That date is significant and although the law has since altered it meant that Stephen was an automatic Aussie and hence has both Australian and British passports. Stephen Hough (piano), Mark Coughlan (WASO Board). Rachel Irving (Patron), Wolfgang Lehmkuhl (Committee Member), Dr Paul Lee (Patron). Stephen was in Perth to perform the Saint Saens Egyptian-inspired concerto with WASO and also to conduct a masterclass at WAAPA. Robyn Glindermann (President P&F Committee), Stephen Hough (piano) & Mark Coughlan (WASO Board).

7 2012 Patrons & Friends Events the last for 2012! POSTPONED (formerly known as Tea & Symphony) The Annual Patrons & Friends Christmas Party 2.30pm, Sunday 21 October Penrhos College 10am, Friday 9 November Perth Concert Hall 4.30pm, Thursday 6 December Perth Concert Hall Unfortunately we have had to postpone this event. We apologise for this change to our calendar and will do our best to re-schedule this event next year. For those who have purchased tickets and wish a refund please contact our Box office. Alternatively we can transfer the cost of this ticket onto your next Patrons & Friends event. Join Patrons & Friends at the last WASO in Rehearsal sure to be full of Spanish flavours with Grammy Award-winning LA Guitar Quartet presenting a diverse program ending with an exotic suite from Stravinsky s ballet about a fiery bird and a wicked sorcerer. Our annual Christmas Party is great fun and a great opportunity to celebrate a year of wonderful music. Come and listen to Principal Conductor Paul Daniel rehearse the always resounding Symphony in the City and then join Paul and our WASO musicians for a stand up barbeque style light dinner and drinks outdoors on the terrace (weather prevailing). Meet the Double Basses WASO in Rehearsal Tickets are $25 for Patrons & Friends and include a lovely morning tea with the musicians. Tickets are $45 for Patrons & Friends and $55 for guests. All bookings through the WASO Box Office on and all proceeds from these events support the Friends of WASO Scholarship. FEEDBACK Recently the Private Giving team have made some changes to the look and content of the Encore! Newsletter. We re always keen to hear your feedback on the format and content of the publication, so drop Sarah a line on gallinaghs@waso.com.au if you ve got any comments.