Scheherazade CONCERT PROGRAM. Master Series Thursday Thursday 1 October at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Similar documents
CONCERT PROGRAM. Ears Wide Open Concert Three. Tuesday 27 October at 6.30pm Melbourne Recital Centre

Sidney Myer Free Concerts CONCERT PROGRAM. The Tang of the Tango Saturday 27 February at 7.30pm Sidney Myer Music Bowl

AN EVENING WITH THE MSO

SCHOOLS 2017 KINDERGARTEN + PRIMARY + SECONDARY

Suk's Asrael Symphony. Hrůša Conducts CONCERT PROGRAM. Thursday 1 September at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Brahms and Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky and Grieg

NICHOLAS CARTER CONDUCTS TCHAIKOVSKY 4

DALE BARLTROP 9 AUGUST

MORNINGS EMPEROR CONCERTO FRIDAY 2 MARCH 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY CONCERT PROGRAM

CONCERT PROGRAM. An American in Paris. Friday 30 October at 7.30pm Melbourne Town Hall

Mozart s Symphony No.40

AND THE AUSTRALIAN STRING QUARTET

Italian Symphony. Mendelssohn s CONCERT PROGRAM. Saturday 13 August at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

BEETHOVEN S EROICA MAY 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

Vivaldi s Four Seasons

BENJAMIN NORTHEY CONDUCTS SIBELIUS 2

TCHAIKOVSKY 5 13, 14 & 16 APRIL 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

Ravel s Bolero with Sibelius 7

Mahler 5. Sir Andrew Davis conducts CONCERT PROGRAM. Saturday 19 March at 2pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor for Piano and Orchestra, op. 23 (1875)

Mahler 6. Sir Andrew Davis Conducts CONCERT PROGRAM. Saturday 2 July at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Bach Suites CONCERT PROGRAM. Thursday 28 April at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall. Friday 29 April at 8pm Costa Hall, Geelong

PLAYS SCHUBERT 9 CONCERT PROGRAM

Beethoven, Mozart & Copland

PLAYS DAS LIED VON DER ERDE

PLAYS PASTORAL CONCERT PROGRAM

PLAYS BEETHOVEN 8 CONCERT PROGRAM

TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO

CONCERT PROGRAM. Beethoven s Fifth. Friday 29 July at 7:30pm Saturday 30 July at 7:30pm Melbourne Town Hall

SIMONE YOUNG AND KOLJA BLACHER

An evening with the MSO

PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH 5 CONCERT PROGRAM

CONTENTS: Peter and the Wolf 3. Sergey Prokofiev 5. Consider This: Class Activities 6. Musical Terms 7. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra 8

Classical Music Concerts. October 2018 May 2019

The Lark Ascending. Richard Tognetti and CONCERT PROGRAM. Saturday 20 August at 2pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Extending music s extraordinary impact together

A NIGHT OF ROMANTIC CLASSICS

Romeo & Juliet CONCERT PROGRAM. Saturday 4 June at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall. Monday 6 June at 6:30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

MAHLER 9 16, 17 & 19 MARCH 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS. 20, 21 & 23 JULY 2018 Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall CONCERT PROGRAM

SOUNDS OF SPRING CONCERT PROGRAM

PLAYS PETRUSHKA CONCERT PROGRAM

Shakespeare Classics

prince george s Philharmonic th season

REGIONAL TOUR 2017 Teaching Guide: Secondary

PLAYS SCHUMANN 3 CONCERT PROGRAM

For Immediate Release

Gluzman Plays Brahms

KOLJA BLACHER 28 JUNE 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

Concertmaster GLENN DICTEROW and Cellist ALISA WEILERSTEIN To Perform BRAHMS S DOUBLE CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO

Orchestral Concerts Database

as one of the experts in the Classical and pre-romantic repertory, pianist Melvyn Tan will return

Dvořák Cello Concerto

CLASSICS 2018/2019 HULL CITY HALL. in partnership with THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND HULL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

DO WHAT YOU LOVE MAKE MUSIC WITH THE TASMANIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA IN 2019

PLAYS LA MER CONCERT PROGRAM

For Immediate Release

XM RADIO TO BROADCAST NEW SERIES OF BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERTS IN SEASON

Program. 9th 11th September 2016

MELBOURNE SEASON MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE MONTSALVAT BARN GALLERY COLLINS STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

LOVE MUSIC? APPLY NOW TO JOIN THE TASMANIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA FOR 2018

BENJAMIN NORTHEY CONDUCTS ENIGMA

the orchestral playing was spectacular

The Boise Philharmonic will launch its 46 th Concert Season in September

Oxford s Professional Orchestra. into. Concerts. Christmas and New Year

Green Lake Festival of Music. established th ANNIVERSARY

PLAYS RACHMANINOV 2 CONCERT PROGRAM

Peoria Symphony Orchestra Program Notes September 22, 2018 Michael Allsen

BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND Griffith university PRESENT

AUDITIONS FOR ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL CLARINET

Season. mso.org.uk. FIVE SUPERB CONCERTS OCTOBER 2017 to MAY 2018 Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre Maidstone ME15 7RN

REGIONAL TOUR 2017 Concert Preparation Guide

$20 SCHOOLS TICKETS PROGRAM RESOURCES SLAVA, RODRIGO & BEETHOVEN VII SO DREAM THY SAILS

take a bow you deserve it national concerts outreach health & wellness initiative youth orchestra your generosity brings the joy and inspiration of

RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC PRESENTS TCHAIK 5, MOZART & THE KISS PIANIST ADAM GOLKA DEBUTS WITH PHILHARMONIC SATURDAY JANUARY 19

AN EVENING WITH THE MSO 29 JUNE 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM

PYSO LIVE AUDITION REPERTOIRE 2018 (As of January 2018)

Massachusetts Youth Symphony Project at Powers (MYSP) Winter Concert Notes Belmont, MA

SYMPHONY SEPTEMBER

Welcome to our Season!

2018/2019 EDUCATION PROGRAMS. TOMMY BANKS CENTRE for MUSICAL CREATIVITY WINSPEARCENTRE.COM/LEARNING

A stellar season of music

CELEBRATED MASTER CONDUCTOR GERARD SCHWARZ RETURNS TO LOS ANGELES TO CONDUCT THE USC THORNTON SYMPHONY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 AT 7:30PM

2013 Music Camp June 26 th -30 th. Lehigh University / Zoellner Arts Center / Bethlehem, PA PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND MASTERCLASSES

PLAYS MAHLER 7 CONCERT PROGRAM

RI PHILHARMONIC PAIRS MOZART AND MAHLER ON FEBRUARY 22 MUSIC DIRECTOR LARRY RACHLEFF CONDUCTS

Eynsford Concert Band

Audition Requirements for SEASON 2018

Years of the NSO

PYSO AUDITION REPERTOIRE 2018 (As of January 2018) VIOLIN

PRESS RELEASE. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 17 May 2013

Performance Events (Fall 2018)

For immediate release Contact Glenn Petry (212) Alan Gilbert leads four major European orchestras this fall, including two debuts

OVER 10,000 LOCAL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 5 TO TAKE PART IN LINK UP, AN INTERACTIVE LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE, ON MARCH 1, 7, & 9 AT BENAROYA HALL

University Wind Ensemble

Piano Superstar Yundi Returns to Open the. Hong Kong Philharmonic s 2012/13 Season JAAP! with. Tchaikovsky s Piano Concerto No.

Symphonic Sooners. By Patty Flood, '60

Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra in C minor, Opus 18 (1901)

Transcription:

CONCERT PROGRAM Scheherazade Master Series Thursday Thursday 1 October at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Master Series Friday Friday 2 October at 8pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Great Classics on Monday Monday 5 October at 6.30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

WHAT S ON OCTOBER DECEMBER 2015 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Friday 30 October Gershwin s An American in Paris evokes a journey through the bustling streets of the French capital, punctuated by taxi horns and a bluesy trumpet solo. Also featured in this program is Ravel s Piano Concerto in G and Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3 Organ. TCHAIKOVSKY AND GRIEG Friday 13 November Saturday 14 November Asher Fisch conducts three masterworks that defined the Romantic era. Tchaikovsky s stirring Romeo and Juliet is followed by Grieg s poignant Piano Concerto and the high-voltage intensity of Tchaikovsky s Fourth Symphony. SIBELIUS FINLANDIA Thursday 19 November Friday 20 November Yan Pascal Tortelier celebrates the 150th anniversary of two Nordic masters. Sibelius majestic Finlandia is balanced against Nielsen s spirited Violin Concerto. Also featured in this program is Sibelius Symphony No.5 and tone poem The Swan of Tuonela. BRAHMS AND TCHAIKOVSKY Thursday 26 November Friday 27 November Saturday 28 November Divertimento, Bartók s dark take on the Baroque, kick-starts this night of European festivities. Brahms Violin Concerto delivers a fiery, gypsy-inspired rondo and Tchaikovsky s Serenade for Strings pays homage to Mozart. MESSIAH Saturday 5 December Sunday 6 December Join conductor Bramwell Tovey, the MSO Chorus and renowned international soloists for one of the MSO s most beloved Christmas traditions, Handel s Messiah. CHRISTMAS CAROLS Saturday 12 December Sunday 13 December Bramwell Tovey joins the MSO as conductor, pianist and host in this celebration of the great musical traditions of Christmas, from famous orchestral works and favourite Christmas songs to the most beloved of Yuletide carols. 2

REPERTOIRE Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Jakub Hrůša conductor Jack Liebeck violin Smetana The Bartered Bride: Overture Dvořák Violin Concerto Interval Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade This concert has a duration of approximately 2 hours including one 20 minute interval. Friday evening s performance will be recorded for broadcast on ABC Classic FM at 1pm on Saturday 17 October. Master Series Partner Pre-Concert Talks 7pm Thursday 1 October, Stalls Foyer, Hamer Hall 7pm Friday 2 October, Stalls Foyer, Hamer Hall Megan Burslem will present a talk on the artists and works featured in the program. Post-Concert Conversation 8.30pm Monday 5 October, Stalls Foyer, Hamer Hall Join MSO Director of Artistic Planning Ronald Vermeulen for a post-concert conversation with conductor Jakub Hrůša. 3

WELCOME I was privileged to attend a concert in 2014 in which Jakub Hrůša conducted the first ever performance by the MSO of Smetana s complete Má vlast and what a great performance it was! So it is with the greatest pleasure that we welcome Jakub back to conduct more music from his native Czech Republic: Smetana s rousing overture to his opera The Bartered Bride and, with soloist Jack Liebeck, Dvořák s songful and enchanting Violin Concerto, one of my personal favourites. We move from Prague to Saint Petersburg for the evening s main event. Rimsky-Korsakov s Scheherazade, a work whose dazzling orchestral colour and dramatic evocation of the exotic East make a mockery of the composer s over-modest assessment of himself as an officerdilettante who sometimes enjoys playing and listening to music! I know you will be thrilled tonight both by the MSO s extraordinary virtuosity and by Jakub Hrůša s dynamism as an interpreter of the Eastern European repertoire. I wish I could be here too! Sir Andrew Davis Chief Conductor The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we perform The Kulin Nation and would like to pay our respects to their Elders and Community both past and present. 4

MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA With a reputation for excellence, versatility and innovation, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia s oldest orchestra, established in 1906. The Orchestra currently performs live to more than 200,000 people annually, in concerts ranging from subscription performances at its home, Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne, to its annual free concerts at Melbourne s largest outdoor venue, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Sir Andrew Davis gave his inaugural concerts as Chief Conductor of the MSO in April 2013, having made his debut with the Orchestra in 2009. Highlights of his tenure have included collaborations with artists including Bryn Terfel, Emanuel Ax and Truls Mørk, the release of recordings of music by Richard Strauss, Charles Ives, Percy Grainger and Eugene Goossens, a 2014 European Festivals tour, and a multi-year cycle of Mahler s Symphonies. The MSO also works each season with Guest Conductor Diego Matheuz, Associate Conductor Benjamin Northey and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Recent guest conductors to the MSO have included Thomas Adès, John Adams, Tan Dun, Charles Dutoit, Jakub Hrůša, Mark Wigglesworth, Markus Stenz and Simone Young. The Orchestra has also collaborated with non-classical musicians including Burt Bacharach, Ben Folds, Nick Cave, Sting and Tim Minchin. The MSO reaches an even larger audience through its regular concert broadcasts on ABC Classic FM, also streamed online, and through recordings on Chandos and ABC Classics. The MSO s Education and Community Engagement initiatives deliver innovative and engaging programs to audiences of all ages, including MSO Learn, an educational iphone and ipad app designed to teach children about the inner workings of an orchestra. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is funded principally by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and is generously supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. The MSO is also funded by the City of Melbourne, its Partner, Emirates, corporate sponsors and individual donors, trusts and foundations. 5

JAKUB HRŮŠA CONDUCTOR JACK LIEBECK VIOLIN Born in the Czech Republic, Jakub Hrůša has served as Music Director and Chief Conductor of Prague Philharmonia since 2009. He is also Guest Conductor of Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, where he recently extended his commitment through to the 2017/ 18 season. He is a regular guest with many of the world s leading orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, The Cleveland Orchestra, and the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras. Recent highlights included Bohemian Legends, a major series with the Philharmonia Orchestra devoted to the music of Dvořák, Suk and Janáček, and debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Finnish National Opera (Jenůfa). In the field of opera, he has been a regular guest with the Glyndebourne Festival and Glyndebourne Tour, conducting Carmen, The Turn of the Screw, Don Giovanni, La bohème and Rusalka. This year Jakub Hrůša debuts with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, RAI National Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Paris Opera. Jakub Hrůša studied conducting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Born in London, Jack Liebeck has appeared with all of the major British orchestras, and internationally with the Royal Stockholm and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras, Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra, Real Filharmonía de Galicia, National Orchestra of Belgium, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, among others. Recently he performed Dario Marianelli s especially commissioned Voyager Violin Concerto with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in a lecture/concert with renowned physicist Brian Cox. A committed recitalist and chamber musician, he has also appeared in recital at London s Wigmore Hall, and in 2013 became the violinist of Trio Dali. This season he makes his Gewandhaus debut with the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra performing Magnus Lindberg s Violin Concerto, and also performs Tchaikovsky s Violin Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic and Brahms Violin Concerto with the Orchestra of Opera North. He appeared at this year s BBC Proms with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth. Jack Liebeck is a professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music and Artistic Director of Oxford May Music Festival, a festival of music, science and the arts. His recordings include Dvořák s Violin Concerto, winner of a 2010 Classical Brit Award, and the complete Brahms violin sonatas with Katya Apekisheva. 6

BEDŘICH SMETANA (1824 1884) The Bartered Bride: Overture In a breathless overture to the work that gave his long-suffering fellow-countrymen their own operatic identity, Smetana encapsulates the vitality and bustle, as well as the rustic charm, of a Czech village in festive mood. This was the first time Czech village life had been portrayed believably in opera. Although premiered inauspiciously in the shadow of a looming war with Bismarck s Prussia, The Bartered Bride survived the fiasco of its truncated opening season in 1866 to win the undying affection of Czech people and, subsequently, audiences throughout the world. Smetana s comedy is peopled with characters his audiences would recognise and empathise with, individuals experiencing the deep human emotions of hope and fear, venality and cunning, confusion and despair and, above all, unquenchable young love. In the all s fair context of love and war, not even a dubious device by which the happy outcome turns on a piece of shameless deception can arouse disquiet. Thus not only the bride is won but a questionable cash bonus as well. (The opera is literally The Sold Bride, not bartered.) While the overture essentially sets the scene of festivity on the village green, the three main motifs (bustling, suspenseful string figures in the opening, a polka-like subject which foreshadows the brilliant national dances to come, and a winsome, contrasting oboe melody) will all be heard again at the climax of the second act as the bridal-sale contract is signed before the outraged village-folk as indignant witnesses. Smetana lived to resent the fact that the runaway success of this, the second of his eight completed operas, overshadowed later works he valued more highly. However The Bartered Bride was the means by which this expatriate composer, home at last from a youthful odyssey in Sweden, resoundingly fulfilled his determination to give his people a national music. Anthony Cane 2005 The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra first performed this work at a War Funds Concert on 3 August 1940 conducted by Georg Schnéevoigt, and most recently at the 2015 Sidney Myer Free Concert with Gergely Madaras. 7

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK (1841 1904) Violin Concerto in A minor, Op.53 (B.108) Allegro ma non troppo Adagio ma non troppo Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo Jack Liebeck violin It was probably on the recommendation of Brahms that the great Joseph Joachim became the dedicatee of the only violin concerto composed by Dvořák. Ironically, however, Joachim was never to play it. Brahms had composed his own Violin Concerto for Joachim in 1878, and seems to have given him a couple of Dvořák s chamber works for performances in Berlin and London. Encouraged by Joachim s interest, Dvořák visited him in Berlin in July 1879 to discuss the idea of a concerto. He sent him a completed draft in November, followed by a full revision, incorporating Joachim s suggestions, in May 1880. In its new version, he believed, the whole concerto has been transformed. Even so, it was not altogether to the virtuoso s liking. After a further two years, Joachim revised the solo part and suggested that Dvořák lighten the orchestration. Although the composer would agree to only minor changes, in particular rejecting any suggestion of separating the linked opening movements, Joachim nevertheless committed himself to launching the work in London in 1884. That premiere was abandoned when Dvořák found he was not free to conduct. Joachim now lost interest. Dvořák turned to the young Czech violinist František Ondříček, who promptly gave the first performance in Prague on 14 October 1883 and proceeded to play the concerto throughout Europe with great success. Joachim s obviously strong reservations about the concerto doubtless reflect his firmly traditionalist view of Classical structure and balance in music. He seems to have felt unable wholeheartedly to lend his name to a work so untraditional, particularly in its first two movements. He quite possibly disliked the improvisatory nature of the concerto, finding Dvořák s artistic integrity perhaps compromised by his failure to carry through a proper sonata structure in the opening movement. Likewise, he doubtless agreed with the publisher Simrock that the opening movements should be separated; and as the outstanding virtuoso violinist of the day he must have wondered at the lack of opportunity for a cadenza, even though there is brilliance enough in the solo part as written out. The concerto nevertheless embodies much of Joachim, particularly in the style of the solo writing, and Dvořák never withdrew the dedication, inscribed to Joachim in highest admiration. Eschewing a conventional orchestral opening tutti, Dvořák launches immediately into his two-part main theme the first part boldly rhythmic with full orchestra, and the second a passionate answering phrase from the solo violin. This theme, in one or other of its parts, forms the essence of the entire movement. Dvořák introduces subsidiary themes, most notably an effusive folk-like tune which appears on a flood of warm solo violin tone when the movement is already well advanced. However, the lesser themes serve in the main only as brief moments of repose while the composer gathers his forces to proceed with his main business of developing the opening subject. The development completed, Dvořák wastes no time on a conventional recapitulation of his original ideas: he merely recalls the violin s answering phrase from the opening theme, transforming it into a serenely reflective bridge which leads without a break into the sweet lyricism of the slow movement. Here the composer, in long and tender phrases, sings a song of heartfelt rapture. The finale is a spirited homage to Czech national dance, fundamentally a vigorous, syncopated furiant. Interspersed with this dance, rondo-fashion, is first a cheerful oboe motif taken up by the flute; then a swelling dolce theme on solo violin; and last a highly bucolic, faintly melancholy section in characteristic dumka rhythm. Neither pure rondo nor sonata, the movement reiterates all three subsidiary themes in different guises (as the main theme is itself varied on every appearance). At the end the dumka returns, now in great good humour, and the main theme sweeps the concerto to a taut, forceful conclusion. Anthony Cane The Melbourne Symphony was the first of the Australian state symphony orchestras to perform this work, in October 1938 with conductor Malcolm Sargent and soloist Guila Bustabo. The Orchestra s most recent performance was in March 2007 with Olari Elts and Natalia Lemeiko. 8

NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844 1908) Scheherazade Symphonic Suite, Op.35 Largo e maestoso Lento Allegro non troppo (The Sea and Sinbad s Ship) Lento (The Story of the Kalender Prince) Andantino quasi allegretto (The Young Prince and the Young Princess) Allegro molto Vivo Allegro non troppo e maestoso Lento (Festival at Baghdad The Sea The Ship Goes to Pieces on a Rock Surmounted by a Bronze Warrior Conclusion) The Sultan Shahriyar, convinced of the duplicity and infidelity of all women, had vowed to slay each of his wives after the first night. The Sultana Scheherazade, however, saved her life by the expedient of recounting to the Sultan a succession of tales over a period of a thousand and one nights. Overcome by curiosity, the Sultan postponed from day to day the execution of his wife, and ended by renouncing altogether his sanguinary resolution. Rimsky-Korsakov conceived the idea of a symphonic suite based on episodes from Scheherazade in the middle of winter 1887 88, while he and Glazunov were engrossed in the completion of Borodin s unfinished opera Prince Igor. The following summer he completed the suite a kaleidoscope of fairytale images and designs of Oriental character. All I had desired, he later wrote in My Musical Life, was that the hearer, if he liked my piece as symphonic music, should carry away the impression that it is beyond doubt an Oriental narrative describing a motley succession of fantastic happenings and not merely four pieces played one after the other and composed on the basis of themes common to all the four movements. Why then, if that be so, does my suite bear the name, precisely, of Scheherazade? Because this name and the title The Arabian Nights connote in everybody s mind the East and fairytale wonders; besides, certain details of the musical exposition hint at the fact that all of these are various tales of some one person (who happens to be Scheherazade) entertaining therewith her stern husband. Rimsky-Korsakov considered Scheherazade one of those works in which my orchestration had reached a considerable degree of virtuosity and bright sonority without Wagner s influence, within the limits of the usual make-up of Glinka s orchestra. So formidable is his instinct, that with surprisingly modest forces (adding to the traditional orchestra only piccolo, cor anglais, harp and percussion) Rimsky-Korsakov can convince his listeners of the raging of a storm at sea, the exuberance of a festival, and the exotic colour of the Orient. As if repeating in music Scheherazade s feat of narrative woven from poetry and folk tales, Rimsky-Korsakov drew on isolated episodes from The Thousand and One Nights for his suite. At first he gave the four movements titles drawn from these narratives. But he soon withdrew the headings, which, he said, were intended to direct but slightly the listener s fancy on the path which my own imagination had travelled, and to leave more minute and particular conceptions to the will and mood of each. According to the composer, it is futile to seek in Scheherazade leading motifs that are consistently linked with the same poetic ideas and conceptions. Instead, these apparent leitmotifs were nothing but purely musical material for symphonic development. The motifs unify all the movements of the suite, appearing in different musical guises so that the themes correspond each time to different images, actions and pictures. The ominous octaves representing the stern Sultan in the opening, for example, appear in the tale of the Kalender Prince, although Shahriyar plays no part in that narrative. And the muted fanfare of the second movement returns in the otherwise unconnected depiction of the foundering ship. Rimsky-Korsakov did admit, however, that one of his motifs was quite specific, attached not to any of the stories, but to the storyteller: The unifying thread consisted of the brief introductions to the first, second and fourth movements and the intermezzo in movement three, written for violin solo and delineating Scheherazade herself as telling her wondrous tales to the stern Sultan. It is this idea an intricately winding violin theme supported only by the harp which soothes the thunderous opening and embarks upon the first tale: the sea and Sinbad s ship. For Rimsky- Korsakov, who was synaesthesic, the choice of E major for the billowing cello figures can have been no accident: his ears saw it as dark blue. A cajoling melody played by solo bassoon represents a Kalender (or beggar ) Prince in the second movement. The similarity between the two main themes of the third movement (for violin and then flute and clarinet) suggests that the Young Prince and Princess are perfectly matched in temperament and character. An agitated transformation of the Sultan s theme, in dialogue with Scheherazade s theme, prefaces the final tale. The fourth movement combines the Festival in Baghdad and the tale of the shipwreck, described by one writer as a confused dream of oriental splendour and terror. Triangle and tambourines accompany the lively cross-rhythms of the carnival; and the mood builds in intensity before all is swamped by the return of the sea theme from the first movement. But after the fury of the shipwreck, it is Scheherazade who has the last word. Her spinning violin solo emerges in gentle triumph over the Sultan s bloodthirsty resolution. Yvonne Frindle 1998/ 2009 The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra first performed Rimsky-Korsakov s Scheherazade on 30 August 1939 with conductor Malcolm Sargent, and most recently in December 2014 under Benjamin Northey. 9

ORCHESTRA Sir Andrew Davis Harold Mitchell AC Chief Conductor Chair Diego Matheuz Guest Conductor Benjamin Northey Patricia Riordan Associate Conductor Chair First Violins Violas Flutes Horns Dale Barltrop Concertmaster Eoin Andersen Concertmaster Sophie Rowell Associate Concertmaster Peter Edwards Assistant Kirsty Bremner MSO Friends Chair Sarah Curro Peter Fellin Deborah Goodall Lorraine Hook Kirstin Kenny Ji Won Kim Eleanor Mancini Mark Mogilevski Michelle Ruffolo Kathryn Taylor Rebecca Adler* Edward Antonov* Alyssa Conrau* Jacqueline Edwards* Lawrence Lee* Oksana Thompson* Second Violins Matthew Tomkins The Gross Foundation Second Violin Chair Robert Macindoe Associate Monica Curro Assistant Mary Allison Işin Cakmakçioğlu Freya Franzen Cong Gu Andrew Hall Francesca Hiew Rachel Homburg Christine Johnson Isy Wasserman Philippa West Patrick Wong Roger Young Aaron Barnden* Christopher Moore Christopher Cartlidge Acting Associate Lauren Brigden Katharine Brockman Simon Collins Gabrielle Halloran Trevor Jones Fiona Sargeant Cindy Watkin Caleb Wright Ceridwen Davies* Merewyn Bramble* Cameron Campbell* Anthony Chataway* Sophie Kesoglidis* Isabel Morse* Cellos David Berlin MS Newman Family Cello Chair Rachael Tobin Associate Nicholas Bochner Assistant Miranda Brockman Rohan de Korte Keith Johnson Sarah Morse Angela Sargeant Michelle Wood Svetlana Bogosavljevic* Double Basses Steve Reeves Andrew Moon Associate Sylvia Hosking Assistant Damien Eckersley Benjamin Hanlon Suzanne Lee Stephen Newton Esther Toh* Simon Pauperis* Prudence Davis Flute Chair - Anonymous Wendy Clarke Associate Helen Hardy* Guest Associate Sarah Beggs Piccolo Andrew Macleod Taryn Richards* Oboes Jeffrey Crellin Thomas Hutchinson Associate Ann Blackburn Cor Anglais Michael Pisani Clarinets David Thomas Philip Arkinstall Associate Craig Hill Alex Morris* Bass Clarinet Jon Craven Bassoons Jack Schiller Elise Millman Associate Natasha Thomas Contrabassoon Brock Imison Zora Slokar Tim Thorpe* Guest Geoff Lierse Associate Saul Lewis Third Jenna Breen Abbey Edlin Trinette McClimont Trumpets Geoffrey Payne Shane Hooton Associate William Evans Julie Payne Trombones Brett Kelly Cameron Malouf^ Bass Trombone Mike Szabo Tuba Timothy Buzbee Timpani Christine Turpin Percussion Robert Clarke John Arcaro Robert Cossom Stephen Hardie* Timothy Hook* Greg Sully* Harp Yinuo Mu *Guest musician ^ Courtesy Adelaide Symphony Orchestra 10

MANAGEMENT Board Artistic Marketing Development Michael Ullmer Chairman Andrew Dyer Danny Gorog André Gremillet Margaret Jackson AC Brett Kelly David Krasnostein David Li Ann Peacock Helen Silver AO Kee Wong Company Secretary Oliver Carton Executive André Gremillet Managing Director Catrin Harris Executive Assistant Human Resources Miranda Crawley Director of Human Resources Business Francie Doolan Chief Financial Officer Raelene King Personnel Manager Leonie Woolnough Financial Controller Phil Noone Accountant Nathalia Andries Accountant Grace Gao Finance Officer Suzanne Dembo Strategic Communications and Business Processes Manager Ronald Vermeulen Director of Artistic Planning Andrew Pogson Special Projects Manager Laura Holian Artistic Coordinator Helena Balazs Chorus Manager Stephen McAllan Artist Liaison Education and Community Engagement Bronwyn Lobb Director of Education and Community Engagement Lucy Bardoel Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Lucy Rash Pizzicato Effect Coordinator Operations Gabrielle Waters Director of Operations Angela Bristow Orchestra Manager James Foster Operations Manager James Poole Production Coordinator Alastair McKean Orchestra Librarian Kathryn O Brien Assistant Librarian Michael Stevens Assistant Orchestra Manager Lucy Rash Operations Coordinator Alice Wilkinson Director of Marketing Jennifer Poller Marketing Manager Megan Sloley Marketing Manager Ali Webb PR Manager Kate Eichler Publicity and Online Engagement Coordinator Kieran Clarke Digital Manager Chelsie Jones Front of House Supervisor James Rewell Graphic Designer Chloe Schnell Assistant Marketing Manager Clare Douglas Marketing Coordinator Claire Hayes Ticket and Database Manager Paul Congdon Box Office Supervisor Angela Ballin Customer Service Coordinator Leith Brooke Director of Development Jessica Frean MSO Foundation Manager Ben Lee Donor and Government Relations Manager Arturs Ezergailis Donor and Patron Coordinator Judy Turner Major Gifts Manager Justine Knapp Major Gifts Coordinator Michelle Monaghan Corporate Development Manager 11

SUPPORTERS Artist Chair Benefactors Harold Mitchell AC Chief Conductor Chair Patricia Riordan Associate Conductor Chair Joy Selby Smith Orchestral Leadership Chair Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO International Guest Chair MSO Friends Chair The Gross Foundation Second Violin Chair MS Newman Family Cello Chair Flute Chair Anonymous Program Benefactors Meet The Orchestra Made possible by The Ullmer Family Foundation East meets West Supported by the Li Family Trust The Pizzicato Effect (Anonymous) MSO UPBEAT Supported by Betty Amsden AO DSJ MSO CONNECT Supported by Jason Yeap OAM Benefactor Patrons $50,000+ Betty Amsden AO DSJ Philip Bacon AM Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO John and Jenny Brukner Rachel and the Hon. Alan Goldberg AO QC The Gross Foundation David and Angela Li Annette Maluish Harold Mitchell AC MS Newman Family Roslyn Packer AO Mrs Margaret S Ross AM and Dr Ian Ross Joy Selby Smith Ullmer Family Foundation Impresario Patrons $20,000+ Michael Aquilina Perri Cutten and Jo Daniell Susan Fry and Don Fry AO Margaret Jackson AC John McKay and Lois McKay Elizabeth Proust AO Rae Rothfield Maestro Patrons $10,000+ John and Mary Barlow Kaye and David Birks Paul and Wendy Carter Mitchell Chipman Jan and Peter Clark Sir Andrew and Lady Gianna Davis Andrew and Theresa Dyer Future Kids Pty Ltd Robert & Jan Green Lou Hamon OAM David Krasnostein and Pat Stragalinos Mr Greig Gailey and Dr Geraldine Lazarus Mimie MacLaren Matsarol Foundation Ian and Jeannie Paterson Onbass Foundation Glenn Sedgwick Maria Solà, in memory of Malcolm Douglas Drs G & G Stephenson. In honour of the great Romanian musicians George Enescu and Dinu Lipatti Lyn Williams AM Kee Wong and Wai Tang Jason Yeap OAM Anonymous (1) Patrons $5,000+ Lino and Di Bresciani OAM Linda Britten David and Emma Capponi Tim and Lyn Edward John and Diana Frew Danny Gorog and Lindy Susskind Nereda Hanlon and Michael Hanlon AM Hartmut and Ruth Hofmann Jenny and Peter Hordern Jenkins Family Foundation Suzanne Kirkham Vivien and Graham Knowles Elizabeth Kraus in memory of Bryan Hobbs Dr Elizabeth A Lewis AM Peter Lovell The Cuming Bequest Mr and Mrs D R Meagher Wayne and Penny Morgan Marie Morton FRSA Dr Paul Nisselle AM Lady Potter AC Stephen Shanasy Gai and David Taylor The Hon. Michael Watt QC and Cecilie Hall Anonymous (5) Associate Patrons $2,500+ Dandolo Partners Will and Dorothy Bailey Bequest Barbara Bell in memory of Elsa Bell Mrs S Bignell Stephen and Caroline Brain Mr John Brockman OAM and Mrs Pat Brockman Leith and Mike Brooke Rhonda Burchmore Bill and Sandra Burdett Oliver Carton John and Lyn Coppock Miss Ann Darby in memory of Leslie J. Darby Mary and Frederick Davidson AM Peter and Leila Doyle Lisa Dwyer and Dr Ian Dickson Jane Edmanson OAM Dr Helen M Ferguson Mr Bill Fleming Colin Golvan QC and Dr Deborah Golvan Susan and Gary Hearst Gillian and Michael Hund Rosemary and James Jacoby John and Joan Jones Kloeden Foundation Sylvia Lavelle Ann and George Littlewood H E McKenzie Allan and Evelyn McLaren Don and Anne Meadows Ann Peacock with Andrew and Woody Kroger Sue and Barry Peake Mrs W Peart Ruth and Ralph Renard Tom and Elizabeth Romanowski Max and Jill Schultz Diana and Brian Snape AM Mr Tam Vu and Dr Cherilyn Tillman William and Jenny Ullmer Bert and Ila Vanrenen Barbara and Donald Weir Brian and Helena Worsfold Anonymous (14) Player Patrons $1,000+ Anita and Graham Anderson, Christine and Mark Armour, Arnold Bloch Leibler, Marlyn and Peter Bancroft OAM, Adrienne Basser, Prof Weston Bate and Janice Bate, Timothy and Margaret Best, David and Helen Blackwell, Bill Bowness, Michael F Boyt, M Ward Breheny, Suzie Brown, Jill and Christopher Buckley, Lynne Burgess, Dr Lynda Campbell, Sir Roderick Carnegie AC, Andrew and Pamela Crockett, Natasha Davies, Pat and Bruce Davis, Merrowyn Deacon, Sandra Dent, Dominic and Natalie Dirupo, Marie Dowling, John and Anne Duncan, Kay Ehrenberg, Gabrielle Eisen, Vivien and Jack Fajgenbaum, Grant Fisher and Helen Bird, Barry Fradkin OAM and Dr Pam Fradkin, David Frenkiel and Esther Frenkiel OAM, Carrillo and Ziyin Gantner, David Gibbs and Susie O Neill, Merwyn and Greta Goldblatt, Dina and Ron Goldschlager, George Golvan QC and Naomi Golvan, Charles and Cornelia Goode, Dr Marged Goode, Louise Gourlay OAM, Ginette and André Gremillet, Max Gulbin, Dr Sandra Hacker AO and Mr Ian Kennedy AM, Jean Hadges, Paula Hansky OAM and Jack Hansky AM, Tilda and Brian Haughney, Henkell Family Fund, Penelope Hughes, Dr Alastair Jackson, Stuart Jennings, George and Grace Kass, Irene Kearsey, 12

SUPPORTERS Ilma Kelson Music Foundation, Dr Anne Kennedy, Bryan Lawrence, Lew Foundation, Norman Lewis in memory of Dr Phyllis Lewis, Dr Anne Lierse, Violet and Jeff Loewenstein, The Hon Ian Macphee AO and Mrs Julie Mcphee, Elizabeth H Loftus, Vivienne Hadj and Rosemary Madden, Dr Julianne Bayliss, In memory of Leigh Masel, John and Margaret Mason, In honour of Norma and Lloyd Rees, Ruth Maxwell, Trevor and Moyra McAllister, David Menzies, Ian Morrey, Laurence O Keefe and Christopher James, Graham and Christine Peirson, Andrew Penn and Kallie Blauhorn, Kerryn Pratchett, Peter Priest, Eli Raskin, Peter and Carolyn Rendit, S M Richards AM and M R Richards, Dr Rosemary Ayton and Dr Sam Ricketson, Joan P Robinson, Doug and Elisabeth Scott, Jeffrey Sher, Dr Sam Smorgon AO and Mrs Minnie Smorgon, John So, Dr Norman and Dr Sue Sonenberg, Dr Michael Soon, Pauline Speedy, State Music Camp, Dr Peter Strickland, Geoff and Judy Steinicke, Mrs Suzy and Dr Mark Suss, Pamela Swansson, Tennis Cares- Tennis Australia, Frank Tisher OAM and Dr Miriam Tisher, Margaret Tritsch, Judy Turner and Neil Adam, P & E Turner, Mary Vallentine AO, The Hon. Rosemary Varty, Leon and Sandra Velik, Elizabeth Wagner, Sue Walker AM, Elaine Walters OAM and Gregory Walters, Edward and Paddy White, Janet Whiting and Phil Lukies, Nic and Ann Willcock, Marian and Terry Wills Cooke, Pamela F Wilson, Joanne Wolff, Peter and Susan Yates, Mark Young, Panch Das and Laurel Young-Das, YMF Australia, Anonymous (5) The Mahler Syndicate David and Kaye Birks, John and Jenny Brukner, Mary and Frederick Davidson AM, Tim and Lyn Edward, John and Diana Frew, Louis Hamon OAM, Francis and Robyn Hofmann, The Hon Dr Barry Jones AC, Dr Paul Nisselle AM, Maria Solà in memory of Malcolm Douglas, The Hon Michael Watt QC and Cecilie Hall, Anonymous (1) MSO Roses Founding Rose Jenny Brukner Roses Mary Barlow, Linda Britten, Wendy Carter, Annette Maluish, Lois McKay, Pat Stragalinos, Jenny Ullmer, Rosebuds Maggie Best, Penny Barlow, Leith Brooke, Lynne Damman, Francie Doolan, Lyn Edward, Penny Hutchinson, Elizabeth A Lewis AM, Sophie Rowell, Dr Cherilyn Tillman Foundations and Trusts The Annie Danks Trust Collier Charitable Fund Creative Partnerships Australia Crown Resorts Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation The Cybec Foundation The Harold Mitchell Foundation Helen Macpherson Smith Trust Ivor Ronald Evans Foundation, managed by Equity Trustees Limited and Mr Russell Brown Linnell/Hughes Trust, managed by Perpetual The Marian and EH Flack Trust The Perpetual Foundation Alan (AGL) Shaw Endowment, managed by Perpetual The Pratt Foundation The Robert Salzer Foundation The Schapper Family Foundation The Scobie and Claire Mackinnon Trust Conductor s Circle Current Conductor s Circle Members Jenny Anderson, G C Bawden and L de Kievit, Lesley Bawden, Joyce Bown, Mrs Jenny Brukner and the late Mr John Brukner, Ken Bullen, Luci and Ron Chambers, Sandra Dent, Lyn Edward, Alan Egan JP, Gunta Eglite, Louis Hamon OAM, Carol Hay, Tony Howe, Audrey M Jenkins, John and Joan Jones, George and Grace Kass, Mrs Sylvia Lavelle, Pauline and David Lawton, Lorraine Meldrum, Cameron Mowat, Laurence O Keefe and Christopher James, Rosia Pasteur, Elizabeth Proust AO, Penny Rawlins, Joan P Robinson, Neil Roussac, Anne Roussac-Hoyne, Jennifer Shepherd, Drs Gabriela and George Stephenson, Pamela Swansson, Lillian Tarry, Dr Cherilyn Tillman, Mr and Mrs R P Trebilcock, Michael Ullmer, Ila Vanrenen, Mr Tam Vu, Marian and Terry Wills Cooke, Mark Young, Anonymous (22) The MSO gratefully acknowledges the support received from the Estates of: Angela Beagley, Gwen Hunt, Pauline Marie Johnston, C P Kemp, Peter Forbes MacLaren, Prof Andrew McCredie, Miss Sheila Scotter AM MBE, Molly Stephens, Jean Tweedie, Herta and Fred B Vogel, Dorothy Wood Honorary Appointments Mrs Elizabeth Chernov Education and Community Engagement Patron Sir Elton John CBE Life Member The Honourable Alan Goldberg AO QC Life Member Geoffrey Rush AC Ambassador The MSO relies on your ongoing philanthropic support to sustain access, artists, education, community engagement and more.we invite our supporters to get close to the MSO through a range of special events and supporter newsletter The Full Score. The MSO welcomes your support at any level. Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible, and supporters are recognised as follows: $100 (Friend), $1,000 (Player), $2,500 (Associate), $5,000 (), $10,000 (Maestro), $20,000 (Impresario), $50,000 (Benefactor). The MSO Conductor s Circle is our bequest program for members who have notified of a planned gift in their Will. Enquiries: Ph: +61 (3) 9626 1248 Email: philanthropy@ mso.com.au 13

SUPPORTERS MAESTRO PARTNERS OFFICIAL CAR PARTNER ASSOCIATE PARTNERS SUPPORTING PARTNERS 3L ALLIANCE ELENBERG FRASER FEATURE ALPHA INVESTMENT FUTURE KIDS VICTORIA WHITELAW GOLDEN AGE GROUP KABO LAWYERS LINDA BRITTEN NAOMI MILGROM FOUNDATION UAG + SJB GOVERNMENT PARTNERS MEDIA PARTNER 14

MSO on tour: Music & Culture in Bendigo Thursday 15 and Friday 16 October 2015 Join us for two days in the thriving regional city of Bendigo, as the MSO prepares to perform for the first time in the wonderful new venue the Ulumbarra Theatre. By day we will show you some of Bendigo s finest heritage attractions, art galleries and local gourmet fare; in the evening experience a backstage tour of the new theatre before enjoying the MSO perform Mozart s Violin Concerto No.5 with Eoin Andersen. You ll also have the opportunity to see MSO first-hand as it merges learning and entertainment with a concert for local school children, fostering a lifelong love and appreciation of music. Be quick, places are limited to 16 people. For an information package please call 03 9626 1249 or email knappj@mso.com.au Spring comes to Summerlea Sunday 25 October 2015 12pm 3pm Summerlea, Flinders Private garden of Perri Cutten and Jo Daniell Gourmet al fresco lunch, local wines and heavenly songs amidst a tranquil coastal garden MSO s annual fundraising event for the MSO Chorus is sure be a very special afternoon. Join designer Perri Cutten and photographer Jo Daniell at their breathtaking property at Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula for a day of choral performances, gourmet lunch and garden tours. Ticket price of $200 includes: Performances by MSO Chorus amid tranquil garden surrounds, Al fresco long table lunch, featuring local produce and wines, Self-guided tour and exploration of landscaped designer gardens, Opportunity to meet and chat to MSO Chorus members and hosts Perri Cutten and Jo Daniell. Proceeds will help us raise vital funds for the MSO Chorus. Hurry, places are strictly limited! To secure your booking, or for further information call 03 9929 9600 15

Visit new worlds with our inflight entertainment Explore a world of heroes and villains, star-crossed lovers or monsters from another time. From Hollywood to Bollywood and more, choose from up to 2,000 channels of award-winning inflight entertainment. Partner of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. emirates.com/au Fly Emirates and enjoy an exclusive 10% subscriber discount* *Exclusive 10% discount across all classes valid for Melbourne Symphony Orchestra subscriber and patron online bookings, and their companions when travelling together. To book, visit mso.com.au/support-us/our-partners/emirates/emirates-offer for your password to redeem online discount via emirates.com/au/mso. Offer applies to Emirates operated services on permitted routes originating from Melbourne, and excludes flights operated by partner airlines. Discount applies to the fare component only and excludes taxes, surcharges and levies. Bookings can only be made up to 11 months in advance. Offer valid for sale on or before 31 December 2015, subject to availability at time of booking and may be subject to change and withdrawn without notice. Visit emirates.com/au/mso for full terms and conditions. PARTNERING WITH THE MSO AT VICTORIA HARBOUR It takes a place to create a community, and a community to create a place. Every day Lendlease creates places that offer some of the best things in life. Imaginative design, exceptional quality, luxury features and inspired locations. Places for people. As a Maestro partner, we aim to collaborate with the MSO to create meaningful connections with people through performances, to shape great places in Victoria. www.lendlease.com