Pastoral, Poetical, Timeless and Thrilling
Australia’s Romantic and Classical orchestra has announced its exciting new program for next year, with choral music, sweeping full orchestral concerts, string ensembles and chamber works – all featuring its unique historically informed performance style on dynamic period instruments.
Under the Artistic Direction of Richard Gill AO, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra brings to life the colours and contrasts of Classical music together with the expression and emotion of Romantic music in a fabulous concert season in 2018 at Sydney’s City Recital Hall and the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Starting the year in style the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra presents Pastoral Melodies (22-25 March, Melbourne and Sydney), featuring much-loved idyllic and tempestuous works of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Beethoven. Together with Polyphonic Voices in Melbourne and Sydney Chamber Choir in Sydney, the orchestra’s world-class musicians on exquisite period instruments present their latest “thrilling, committed performances” (Limelight).
In May, the ARCO Chamber Soloists bring to life a spectacular program of Mozart, Von Winter, Gambaro and Beethoven (18-21 May, Sydney, Batehaven and Melbourne). Timeless and thrilling, Classical Melodies will spotlight the Classical wind and string instruments, taking music lovers back in time to experience the depth and breadth of tonal colour available to 18th & 19th century composers – now lost in the world of modern instruments.
Finally, in August, Poetical Melodies channels the elegiac and daring (19-22 August, Sydney and Melbourne). The sublime string section of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra takes centre stage in this program, exploring the sweeping melodies of the Romantic period on gut strings, delving into works by Mendelssohn, Grieg, Van Bree, Puccini and Dvořák. Directed by concertmaster Rachael Beesley, the rich and expressive 19th century style of performance is recreated in this unique and engaging concert experience.
Richard Gill AO said that the beauty of musical sound was uppermost in the Artistic Team’s minds when planning this season. “The word melody, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was first heard in about 1290. Here we are in 2018, over seven hundred years later, still using the word and enjoying the beauty of musical sounds. Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra welcomes audiences to join us on our 2018 melodic adventure. We would very much enjoy your company.”
Established in 2013, the orchestra has become a vibrant and leading presence on the Australian music scene, providing opportunities for engagement with wide audiences through live performance in major venues as well as radio broadcasts. The orchestra’s commitment to music education is at its core: the Young Mannheim Symphonists program provides young musicians with expert guidance in Historically Informed Performance (HIP); and the concert series Richard Gill Presents – A Voyage of Musical Discovery – in collaboration with renowned Australian contemporary, jazz and baroque ensembles – brings the high school music curriculum to life for young audiences.
To find out more about the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra’s season concerts, education programs and performance series and to book tickets or discounted season subscriptions visit www.arco.org.au
Media: for more information, interviews, recordings, great images by Nick Gilbert or the full season brochure, contact Geoff at Sirmai Arts Marketing t: (02) 9345 0360 m: 0412 669 272 e: geoff@sirmai.com.au
