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The Classics Come to Kenthurst.

Australian Romantic

The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra is returning to the Hills and is sure to impress.

Featuring the work of Elgar, Holst, Schumann, Wolf and Herbert, the Sunday afternoon 4pm concert at Hills Grammar School, Kenthurst is the orchestra’s first of the year and first of the series which will continue on to Newcastle City Hall, Sydney’s City Recital Hall, the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

In the late 19th century, the serenade was the vehicle for exquisite, expressive writing by some of the biggest names of the era. Edward Elgar and Hugo Wolf both wrote serenades that remain among their best-loved works, filling these relatively brief pieces with beautiful, tuneful music that highlights the expressive and emotive way that string musicians were performing at the time.

Voyage 1 C Robert Catto The Classics Come To Kenthurst.

Another composer who knew his way around a tune was American Victor Herbert, whose serenade shows you why no less a judge than Dvorák thought he had promise beyond the Tin Pan Alley songs he was famous for.

This program also features an arrangement of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 in a world premiere of a rich new arrangement by Australian composer Shauna Beesley. Originally for solo instrument and piano, this enlarged arrangement highlights the superb playing of co-artistic director and violin soloist Rachael Beesley against a lush, enchanting torrent of strings. Schumann’s title suggests uninhibited imagination, and that is precisely what you will hear!

Rachael Beesley directs an ensemble of outstanding Australian international musicians – all experts in Historically Informed Performance or ‘HIP’ and playing authentic period instruments.

Founded under the artistic direction of renowned musician and educator, the late Richard Gill AO, and already a dynamic influence on the Australian music scene, the orchestra’s twin goals of performance and education are delivered through live concerts in Australia’s capital cities and in metropolitan and regional centres, collaborations with guest ensembles, radio broadcasts, innovative education programs, pre-concert presentations and specialist online resources.

Bringing together leading Australian and international exponents, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra brings historical insights and new perspectives to masterpieces from the Classical and Romantic periods. Its Young Mannheim Symphonists youth orchestra program will hold its 2022 National Winter Academy in July at the Kings School, North Parramatta.

“Northern Serenades” is the first of this year’s ambitious and exciting concert series, which continues in 2022 with “Austrian Encounters” (featuring the Australian Boys’ Choir), “Sounds of Vienna” and “Tempestuous Skies”.

“The past two years have taught us a great many things,” says Rachael, “but what we have learned above all else is how deeply and profoundly we love performing with our dear friends and colleagues, and for our loyal friends and audience.

“So it is with renewed enthusiasm and resolve that we present this series of concerts to INSPIRE, EDUCATE and ENLIGHTEN, with some of the most beautiful music ever composed, from the salons of Vienna to the stages of Tin Pan Alley, from the damnation of Don Giovanni to the celestial grandeur of Jupiter.”

For more information, concert schedule and programs, tickets etc, visit www.arco.org.au

THE AUSTRALIAN ROMANTIC & CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA PRESENTS
Northern Serenades, Sunday 20 March 4pm Hills Grammar School, Kenthurst
EDWARD ELGAR
Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op.20
GUSTAV HOLST
St Paul’s Suite in C major Op.29, No.2
ROBERT SCHUMANN/SHAUNA BEESLEY
Fantasiestücke, Op.73
for violin & strings (world premiere)
HUGO WOLF
Italian Serenade in G major (strings version)
VICTOR HERBERT
Serenade for Strings in F major, Op.12

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