Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra: Overtures May 2016

vertures MAY 2016TSO WELCOMES NEW CONCERTMASTERFOLLOWING a national and international search, 1the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is delighted 2to welcome British violinist Emma McGrath asConcertmaster. 1 Emma is thanked by Dejan Lazić.A graduate of the Royal College of Music in Londonand Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Emma 2 Soloist Dejan Lazić performedmade her London debut at the age of ten when she Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G.performed in the Purcell Room at the SouthbankCentre. At the age of 14 she performed Bruch’s 3 Chief Conductor Marko LetonjaViolin Concerto No 1 with the London Philharmonic and orchestra take a bow.Orchestra conducted by honorary Tasmanian and muchloved TSO soloist, Howard Shelley. Emma has sinceappeared as a soloist pretty much everywhere — fromBelgium to Brunei, the United States to the RussianFederation.Emma comes to Tasmania fresh from the SeattleSymphony Orchestra and Seattle Opera Orchestrawhere she was Associate Concertmaster from 2009.In her pre-Seattle career, Emma was AssistantConcertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra,and has also performed with the Pittsburgh andChicago Symphony Orchestras, and toured Australiaand Japan with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.Emma and family arrived in Tasmania in early Marchand she went straight into rehearsals for the firstHobart Master Series concert for the year, From FairVerona with Love. These photos were taken at thatconcert on Saturday 5 March. 3 Q&A WITH TSO FOUNDATION DIRECTOR DON HEMPTON, PAGE 7

CHINA TOUR ANNOUNCED AFTER MANY months of negotiations, exchanges that, in turn, will lead to Among the repertoire to be performed the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is future visits to China by the TSO and will be The Wolf – Concerto for Double delighted to announce that it will tour for Chinese orchestras to come to Bass by Chinese-American composer China at the end of the year. Under Tasmania.” Tan Dun. Co-commissioned by the TSO, the baton of Marko Letonja, the eight- The TSO is grateful to the State The Wolf was premièred by the TSO concert tour will take in Shanghai, Government for providing a grant with soloist Stuart Thomson last year as Fujian Province and Jiangsu Province to help make the tour possible. part of the Tasmanian International Arts including a joint performance with Vanessa Goodwin, state Minister for Festival. Another TSO-commissioned the Jiangsu Symphony Orchestra in the Arts, said that “the Tasmanian work, the orchestration of Alban Berg’s Nanjing on New Year’s Eve. Symphony Orchestra is a much- Piano Sonata by Chinese-Australian “Touring is very good for the orchestra loved icon in our state and it is a composer Julian Yu, will also be and international touring even more pleasure to help them share their performed. so. It builds ensemble in every sense extraordinary musical capacity with The two-week tour will commence on of the word,” said Nicholas Heyward, our friends in China.” 26 December. If you would like to join TSO Managing Director. Tasmania has had a sister-state the orchestra on tour, take note of the “We expect this tour will enable the relationship with Fujian Province dates. It is hoped that a tour group will TSO to build connections in China by since 1981 so the tour will further be organised for TSO supporters. establishing player and management strengthen that relationship. MINI TSO MINI TSO, a 15-piece ensemble that features at least one of each type of orchestral instrument, Above: Mini TSO at George Town Memorial Hall. gave concerts to excited crowds of schoolchildren Right: Children hoist their home-made magic batons in the air. in Launceston, George Town and Burnie between 4 and 6 May. Conducted by Greg Stephens and presented by Mel King, Mini TSO performed arrangements of music by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Grieg and others. But the music-making wasn’t all one way with audience singalongs — the accompaniments were composed by graduates of the TSO- hosted Australian Composers’ School — forming a lively part of the concert. The two concerts in George Town, which catered to four schools from the region, were sponsored by Bell Bay Aluminium. SKYFIELDS A NEW OUTDOOR music venue, Skyfields, was launched with a day-long series of acts, including the TSO with Missy Higgins, on Saturday 19 March. Located near Sheffield in north-west Tasmania and stunningly situated in front of Mount Roland, Skyfields attracted an audience of 5,000 to its inaugural event.2

GATUCIDHOABIREMLGANIO’SRNLUON-NCEHTTIS SPECIAL GUEST David Rich, TSO Chair.THERE WAS A palpable buzz in the air as (L-R) Melita Hickling, Henry Jones Art Hotel,Corporate Partners, Patrons and their guests filled Sam East, TSO, and Damon Wise, Southern Crossthe lavish Jones & Co Room at the Henry Jones Austereo.Art Hotel for the TSO’s first Chairman’s Lunch RACT table.of the year on Friday 29 April. Special guestspeaker was Guido Belgiorno-Nettis AM, formerManaging Director of Transfield Holdings andChairman of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.Guido’s address, entitled “From Deficit toSurplus”, spoke of the challenges the ACO hasfaced over the years and how the path to success— the ACO is now recognised as one of theworld’s finest chamber orchestras — has beenone in which all sorts of obstacles have had to beovercome. The 100-strong audience enjoyed notonly fine food but plenty of food for thought.The Chairman’s Lunch was generously sponsoredby Emirates and received in-kind support fromthe Henry Jones Art Hotel.The TSO would like to thank all those who tooktables and seats at the event: Emirates, HydroTasmania, RACT, Southern Cross, Unica Wealth,Clemenger, Henry Jones Art Hotel, WorrallLawyers, Menzies Institute of Medical Research,Federal Group and TSO Patrons. Profits fromthe Chairman’s Lunch will go towards the TSO’sEducation and Outreach programs. Dominic Mulcahy, Unica Wealth (centre), with guests.(L-R) Dean Cleaver, Emirates, guest speaker Guido Belgiorno-Nettis,Nicholas Heyward, TSO Managing Director, and David Rich, TSO Chair. 3

2015 A SUCCESSFUL COMINGS AND GOINGS YEAR FOR THE TSO The Tasmanian mountains and getting the sea breeze THE TSO gave 77 performances in 2015 Symphony on her face. playing to a total audience of 51,151. Orchestra After nearly 18 years at the TSO, FIONA There were 17% more subscribers than in is pleased WEBSTER has resigned as Senior 2014 and traffic to the TSO’s Facebook to welcome Business Services Officer to make a page increased by an incredible 45%. STEFANIE “tree change” with her husband Mark These and other statistics are available FARRANDS as to Tumblong in New South Wales, in the TSO’s Annual Report for 2015. Principal Viola. where Mark has family. During her time “I am delighted to report that 2015 was a Stef has come to at the TSO, Fiona saw many changes, successful year, artistically and financially,” Tasmania from not least the move from the Odeon said David Rich, TSO Chair. “Tasmanians Berlin where, for the past five years, she Theatre to Federation Concert Hall, can be proud of the achievements and has been freelancing and studying with and the introduction of the GST. Fiona artistic successes of the TSO and the renowned violist Tabea Zimmermann at was a whizz with accounting systems Board is grateful to all of those who the esteemed Hanns Eisler Hochschule and her eagle eye and sharp mind were continue to make this happen.” The für Musik. Prior to Berlin, she studied greatly appreciated when it came to Annual Report is posted at tso.com.au/ at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music number crunching and record keeping. about/annual-reports/. and ANAM. She has performed with Accounting standards and reporting many renowned orchestras including requirements changed over the yearsMOFO WRAP-UP the Berlin Philharmonic, Chamber and Fiona took all developments in Orchestra of Europe and Camerata her stride. In addition to building Salzburg. Indeed, she was back at the rapport with reporting bodies, financial Berlin Philharmonic for a brief stint institutions and funding bodies, she built earlier this year. In 2011, she appeared friendships with orchestra members and as soloist with the Melbourne Symphony administration staff, visiting conductors Orchestra performing the Viola Concerto and soloists. In 2014 she and Mark by contemporary Austrian composer travelled around Australia in their Olga Neuwirth. Other solo engagements retrofitted bus and the seed was planted include appearances with Australian for a permanent move to New South Chamber Orchestra emerging Artists Wales. “I would like to thank all at the Program, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra TSO from the Board to musicians to staff and Melbourne String Ensemble. Stef is for making my time there so enjoyable.” passionate about chamber music (she The TSO, in return, would like to wish is a founding member of the Hamer Fiona every success for the next chapter Quartet), yoga and travel. She loves of her life. the ocean and summer sun, climbing AS IN PAST YEARS, the TSO POP-UP RECORDER contributed to MONA’s summer Festival of Music and Art, known VIRTUOSO RECORDER PLAYER Genevieve Lacey demonstrated why as Mofo for short. The TSO the recorder was the coolest instrument on the planet when she gave performed with Kate Miller- a free pop-up concert at Tarremah Steiner School on 7 April. Students, Heidke at the Odeon Theatre on teachers and members of the general public were dazzled by the array 18 January (photo above), the of sounds she coaxed from recorders of varying sizes. The pop-up, TSO Chorus gave concerts at which was given plenty of advance publicity by Ryk Goddard on 936 MONA over the weekend of 16- ABC Hobart, came two days ahead of Genevieve’s Matinee Series 17 January, and TSO musicians concert with the TSO, Bach to the Future. Tim Jones (Principal Tuba) and Matt Goddard (Principal Timpani) also gave concerts at MONA. Mofo’s sister event, Dark Mofo, is coming up next month and the TSO will be contributing to the program with a performance of Górecki’s haunting Symphony No 3, with soloist Greta Bradman, in Federation Concert Hall on Saturday 18 June. Buy tickets at darkmofo.net.au.4

SSNUOMMIGNIMLHEAETSRGLORIOUS SUMMER WEATHER helped to swell the numbersat this year’s RACT Symphony under the Stars in Glenorchyand Launceston. The concert in Tolosa Park on Saturday 13February attracted an audience of approximately 4,500 whilethe concert in City Park on Saturday 20 February played to awhopping 9,000, an attendance record.Titled “That’s Amore”, RACT Symphony under the Stars wasconducted by Benjamin Northey and featured special guestartist soprano Amelia Farrugia, who sang arias from Verdi’sLa traviata and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, among other numbers.The compere for the evening was Ryk Goddard. In keepingwith the Italian theme, other works included Mendelssohn’sItalian Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien. 5

RACT SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARSANNUAL GENERAL We raised a record $12,500 selling raffle tickets at this year’s RACT SymphonyMEETING under the Stars in Glenorchy and Launceston. A big thank you to the ticket sellers and, of course, to the ticket buyers.The TSO Friends AGM was held in theTSO Studio on Sunday 3 April. Maggie • Yoram Levy, Principal Trumpet, OPEN REHEARSALSMcKerracher, TSO Friends President, was awarded a professionaltabled the 2015 Annual Report, and development grant to assist with Friday 20 May 10amKatie Zagorski, Andrew Seymour studies in Germany, Israel and the Federation Concert Hall, Hobartand James Menzies (the new Player Netherlands. Garry Walker conductorRepresentative on the TSO Friends Alexander Gavrylyuk pianoCommittee) generously gave of their • We gave a grant of $500 to the The Greatness of Gavrylyuktime and enlivened the afternoon with Northern Strings Summer Schoollive music. and also contributed to the Friday 5 August 10amThe Annual Report included the Devonport and Hobart Eisteddfods Federation Concert Hall, Hobartfollowing: and the Launceston Competition. Marko Letonja conductor• Thank you to TSO musicians and Javier Perianes violin • We paid for transport costs for Grieg is Good guest artists who appeared at our children from Risdon Vale Primary events in 2015: Howard Shelley, School to attend a TSO Education TSO FRIENDS CALENDAR Mark Bain, Martin Penicka, Simone concert. Walters, Lorenz Lossius, Rohanna Meet Yoram Levy O’Malley, Tim Jones, Jennifer • Jun Yi Ma, TSO Concertmaster Sunday 31 July Marten-Smith, Jim Coyle, Kettering until the end of 2015, was Launceston, venue to be Piano Quartet, Huon String Quartet presented with a farewell gift, and confirmed. and Satin Winds. Thanks also to long-service presentations were Ryan O’Malley and Simon Rogers. given to Alison Lazaroff-Somssich Sunday 7 August• A new initiative in 2015 was the and Roger Jackson. Hobart, TSO Rehearsal Studio trombone masterclass given by David Robins. Held in Launceston, • Heartfelt thanks to the extremely it was very successful and plans are hard-working committee afoot for another workshop and members: Diane Truskett, masterclass in 2016. Special thanks Don Hempton, Grant to David Robins and Catherine Taylor, Mike Scott, Keith Hamilton. Anderson, Muriel Morillon,• Our Quiz Night raised $2,900. Carol Samuelson, Catherine• Georgie O’Malley and James Hamilton, Tina Pinkard, Anderson were the recipients Geoff Walker, John of the $600 Sabina Heilmann Canterford, John Pugsley and Memorial Bursary, and Rhys Gray Mark Bain. Special thanks received the prize for the student also to Ciara Nicholls. who gains the highest score in TCE Music and goes on to study at the Tasmanian Conservatorium. Double bass player James Menzies, flautist Katie Zagorski and clarinettist Andrew Seymour performed at the TSO Friends annual general meeting.6

Carnival of the AnimalsThere were floppy ears, feathers and Q&A (fake) furs in abundance at the TSO’s first Family Classics concert for the year, WITH DON HEMPTON, TSO Carnival of the Animals, on Wednesday FOUNDATION DIRECTOR 23 March. Audience members were invited to dress in animal costumes When did you first become and, as you can see from these photos, interested in classical music? they took up the challenge like ducks As the youngest of four children, I to water. Not to be upstaged by the had to queue for piano practice in fancy dress, a live piglet in the foyer the morning and was entertained – a promotion for Babe in Concert – not only by my parents’ musical brought a touch of authenticity and won endeavours on violin and trumpet, the hearts of many. but by visiting musicians. University and then a hectic professional life saw music pushed out of my life until the mid 1990s when I started attending concerts with my wife, Jasmine. What role do you think music plays in our lives? Music plays a part throughout our lives, from the maternal heartbeat in utero through the lullabies and simple tunes of childhood to the raw emotional music of adolescence and beyond. Orchestral music takes one that additional step into a peaceful place where many of us can escape the rollercoaster ride of modern living. Has your career as a doctor informed your love of music in any way? Going to concerts became an important part of our lives, especially in recent years when Jasmine’s declining health became a major issue. Despite her deafness, she could still appreciate the music by its vibrations and by the general atmosphere in the auditorium. Music has a profound effect on all of us from the reduction of stress, to the feeling of euphoria, from the lowering of blood pressure to the benefit of stimulating the immune system. Leaving a gift in your will to the TSO Foundation as Jasmine and I have done has given us the knowledge that the beautiful music created by this orchestra will live on into the future. Information on leaving a gift in your will to the TSO Foundation can be found at tso.com.au/support/a-gift- in-your-will/. Alternatively, you can contact Jessica Armson, Philanthropy and Special Events Coordinator, on 6232 4405. 7

CODETTA And on the subject of sold-out concerts, which took place in the Macquarie Wharf there was not a seat to be had at either No 2 Cruise Terminal (a.k.a. MAC2), includedGilbert & Sullivan devotees came out of performance of Babe in Concert on 16 such popular classics as the “Waltz of thethe woodwork for the Gilbert & Sullivan April. A screening of the movie Babe Flowers”, “In the Hall of the Mountain King”Spectacular in Federation Concert Hall with the soundtrack played live by the and music from the Enigma Variations.on 26 February. Such was the demand for TSO, Babe in Concert was a hit with the Benjamin Northey conducted. TSO musicianstickets that a waitlist had to be prepared young, old and everyone in between. It and Azamara guests mingled at a post-and, sadly, many G&S fans had to be was conducted by the composer of the concert reception and the night was cappedturned away. There’s a lesson in this: don’t soundtrack, Nigel Westlake. off with a brilliant fireworks display. In await until the last minute. Buy your tickets On the evening of Wednesday January happy postscript to the event, there wasearly! Better still, subscribe. 20, the TSO performed for passengers of a run on TSO CDs at the Box Office by the cruise ship Azamara Quest on its first Azamara passengers the following day.TSO PARTNERS ever voyage to Australia. The concert, Keep an eye out for some new faces in the string section of the orchestra. AuroraCORE PUBLIC SUPPORT The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is assisted by the Australian Henrich has been invited to trial in thePRINCIPAL PARTNER Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and position of Tutti Double Bass and DouglasPREMIER PARTNERS advisory body, and the Tasmanian Government through the Coghill has been invited to trial in theMAJOR PARTNERS Minister for the Arts, and the Tasmanian Icon Program. position of Tutti Viola.LEADERSHIP PARTNERS Congratulations to Greg Stephens, TuttiPARTNERS WINE PARTNER MEDIA SUPPORTER French Horn, and his wife Maria on the birth of their first child, Emilie Rose, who wasSUPPORTING PARTNERS We also wish to thank ushered into the world on 5 November 2015. Foot & Playsted It’s not every day that a performance ofFor information on TSO Partner opportunities, In Graphic Detail Bach’s St Matthew Passion swings around.please contact Sam East on 6232 4430 or In fact, the TSO has not performed it sinceemail [email protected]. 1966! Don’t miss your chance to hear this extraordinary work when the TSO, TSO Chorus, Festival of Voices Choir and Youth Choir, and a stellar line-up of soloists perform it in Federation Concert Hall on Saturday 9 July. Legendary choral director Richard Gill will conduct. The TSO’s 2016 Season Brochure has proved a winner with members of the public. So much so that copies have been disappearing fast from stores, cafes, libraries and over the counter at the TSO Box Office. So it is pleasing to note that the Season Brochure was a finalist (i.e. silver medallist) at the 2016 Tasmanian Advertising & Design Awards. Congratulations to the design team at Clemenger Tasmania, Phillip Drury and Alecia Groom. The TSO has been extremely busy of late with its Outreach activities. In February, Harpist Meriel Owen gave a presentation and performance at Mathers House in Hobart, a facility run by Hobart City Council. Ten TSO musicians along with Maria Grenfell, Senior Lecturer in Composition at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, workshopped original compositions by nine high school students from all over Tasmania in Hobart in March, followed-up by a second workshop in Launceston in May. A third workshop will take place in July. Meanwhile, in Burnie, TSO musicians on tour with Mini TSO in May took part in string and concert band workshops at Parklands High School. Also in May, Emma McGrath, TSO Concertmaster, gave a solo performance and answered questions from the floor at St Michael’s Collegiate in Hobart.Federation Concert Hall © 2016 Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Pty Ltd1WDEavAeLySStOreeWt,ISHoHbaTrOt TaTsHmAanNiaK7000 Australia ABN 81 088 230 184GPO Box 1450 Hobart TAS 7001 AustraliaBOX OFFICE ADMINISTRATIONTelephone: 03 6232 4450 Telephone: 03 6232 4444Facsimile: 03 6232 4455 Facsimile: 03 6232 4455Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: 1800 001 190 www.tso.com.au