Category Archives: Concerts

Concerts, French Horn

That Horn Tune

One of the most wonderful and best loved moments of Tchaikovksy’s 5th Symphony, which the orchestra will play on May 20 & 22, is the noble horn tune from the 2nd movement:

horn melody

It is one of the greatest horn solos in the orchestral repertoire and has inspired a great many adaptations and imitations since it was first composed in 1888. Frank Sinatra performed his version, Moon Love, with the Harry James Orchestra in 1939.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83b7KRQI4G8

The opening of John Denver’s Annie’s Song follows the same progression and rhythm:

Less obvious is the aria Vesti la giubba, from Leoncavallo’s 1892 opera, Pagliacci. The same melody, but a different rhythm creates a very different effect:

Vestir

That dramatic piece was used by the advertisers of Kellogg’s Rice Bubbles to depict the tragedy of running out of their product. Here’s the American (Rice Crispies) version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvYFxCwojcI

For the advertisers of Winfield cigarettes in the 70’s, Tchaikovsky’s music was the epitome of classys sophistication, with ‘Boris and the band’ setting the scene for a tuxedo clad Paul Hogan to extoll the virtues of the cigarettes with ‘a bit of polish – a touch of class’. Let her rip, Boris!

Concerts

World Premiere Performance

Kim d'EspineyMosman Symphony Orchestra’s first concert for 2016 at Mosman Art Gallery was an exciting blend of well-loved orchestral classics with a touch of exotic spice.

As well as Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2, the program featured the world premiere of Danza Arabica by Sydney musician, Kim d’Espiney. Kim has played oboe with the orchestra for several years. She also plays saxophone and clarinet and teaches all three instruments. This is her first composition for orchestra although she has written many arrangements for her students.

Kim says that the main reason she decided to compose Danza Arabica is because she wanted to celebrate Arabic culture.

“Like many people, I abhor the carnage and slaughter that is happening right now, from Iraq and Syria to Palestine, and I feel a tremendous sense of helplessness for all the innocent people caught in the cross-fire. An example that springs to mind is the current global tragedy: where thousands of refugees are being turned away by the rest of the world, as they flee war-torn countries to seek asylum.”

Kim comes from a Portuguese background and she feels that this may well have influenced her musical style:

“The most famous Portuguese folk music is the ‘Fado’ (meaning ‘destiny’ or ‘fate’). It has sorrowful melodies and lyrics with a rich Arabic/Moorish influence. The songs often tell stories about life of the poor or the harshness of the sea, with feelings of passion and intense longing. Having listened to a lot of Fado, I’ve no doubt this has had at least a subconscious influence on my composition.

“The inspiration for this piece was both melodic and rhythmic. The main theme grew from trying out different ideas on my clarinet – I like the smooth, mellow sound of the low register, and thought it might also work well on the bassoon. The rhythmic ideas were influenced by my love of Arabic music, with its vibrant rhythms and interesting textural effects. Once I had the basics, the rest flowed naturally.”

Kim was thrilled to have the opportunity to have her music performed by a symphony orchestra.

“It is an incredible experience: hearing the notes I have written coming to life through the efforts and skills of the players in the orchestra. It is also exciting to think that others may interpret my music in their own way.”

When asked if there were any more pieces in the pipeline, Kim’s response was

“Absolutely… watch this space!”

Concerts

Only 10 More Sleeps…

tiles1

There’s only 10 more sleeps to go before our first concert of the year, and we’re very excited to announce the addition of a touch of exotic spice to our program. The orchestra will be performing the world premiere of our very own Kim d’Espiney’s Danza Arabica.

Kim says that her work reflects her love of Arabic music with its vibrant rhythms and interesting textural effects:

“The main reason I decided to compose ‘Danza Arabica’ is because I wanted to celebrate Arabic culture. Like many people, I abhor the carnage and slaughter that is happening right now, from Iraq and Syria to Palestine, and I feel a tremendous sense of helplessness for all the innocent people caught in the cross-fire. An example that springs to mind is the current global tragedy: where thousands of refugees are being turned away by the rest of the world, as they flee war-torn countries to seek asylum.”

There are currently only 14 seats available for Sunday afternoon, but there are still good seats for Friday.

Buy tickets now

Concerts, romance

Romantic Pastorale

Single tickets are now on sale for our first concert of the year, and what a concert it promises to be!

As part of our ongoing Beethoven series, we’ll be performing his evocative 6th Symphony – the Pastoral.

“How happy I am to be able to walk among the shrubs, the trees, the woods, the grass and the rocks! For the woods, the trees and the rocks give man the resonance he needs.” Beethoven: letter to Therese Malfatti

Beethoven had a deep love of nature and he poured that love into a wonderful evocation of landscape. The 6th Symphony, with its depiction of nature in its various guises, from a gentle creek to a tumultuous storm, is one of Beethoven’s best loved. I can’t tell you much the orchestra is enjoying rehearsals!

We’re also thrilled to welcome back audience favourite Gregory Kinda who will play the rapturously lovely Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2. You can’t help but swoon to the lush harmonies and heart-stoppingly lovely melodies of this most romantic of works.

Book online to choose your seat.

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Community orchestras, Concerts, Mosman, Subscriptions

2016 Subscription Season Now Open

This year you can buy tickets to all 4 of our major concerts at discounted rates and ensure you get your favourite seat at each concert.

Delight in Beethoven’s evocative Pastorale Symphony, swoon to the romance of Rachmaninov, & thrill to the exciting rhythms of Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien.

We’ll be joined by some outstanding soloists. Two audience favourites return to the orchestra in 2016, with violinist Ron Thomas playing Brahms and pianist Gregory Kinda the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2, and Rachel Tolmie, a newcomer to the orchestra, but very well known to Australian audiences, will play the Donizetti Concerto for Cor Anglais.

The Mosman Symphony Chorus will feature in our main concert program with Borodin’s stirring Polovtsian Dances as well as  in a special Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah (not included in the subscription series.)

Online subscriptions close on February 12. Don’t miss out!