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GSO: Symphonic Masters

Sunday, 10 November 2024

2:00 pm

Gippsland Symphony Orchestra presents SYMPHONIC MASTERS at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Serge Prokofiev – Selections from Romeo and Juliet Suite 1 & 2

Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is a ballet composed in 1935-1936 based on William Shakespeare’s play of the same name. Prokofiev also arranged three orchestral suites and a set of ten piano pieces from the music for the ballet. The GSO has selected from suites 1 and 2 for this performance: Montagues and Capulets, Madrigal, Minuet, Masks, Death of Tybalt, Friar Laurence, and Romeo at Juliet’s Tomb. Prokofiev’s suites are some of the most memorable and dramatic moments from the ballet, capturing the essence of his powerful and evocative compositional style. The suites are often performed in concert and have become popular pieces in the orchestral repertoire.

Claude Debussy – Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra – soloist Niels Bijl

In 1901 American saxophonist Elise Hall had requested Claude Debussy to compose a piece for the saxophone, however, he didn’t take the commission seriously and looked scornfully on the abilities of Hall as a saxophonist and as such did not work on the commission for some time. Hall made many trips to Paris to meet with Debussy and he eventually began to work on the piece and sent the score for saxophone and piano to Hall in 1911. It was subsequently arranged for orchestra by Jean Roger-Ducasse in 1919.

Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4

Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Op. 98, is a monumental work in the symphonic repertoire, composed in 1884-1885. This highly regarded symphony explores emotional depth, structural coherence, and symphonic innovation, making it a cornerstone of Romantic symphonic repertoire. After its premiere performance, the symphony received mixed reviews. Listeners were challenged by the dense, rich textural colours and the complexity of its structures. It is now viewed as the work of a genius and rightly celebrated as one of the great symphonic achievements, a work that combines romantic intellectualism and emotional expressionism. The fourth symphony by Brahms places him in the vanguard of symphonic composers, a rightful heir to Beethoven’s crown.

Duration: 1 hour and 50 minute including intermission

Members: $20
Full: $25
Concession: $20
Youth U/18: $15

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