- Melbourne
More than words could ever express, music speaks directly to your heart.
The musicians of MCO leave nothing on the table in this season opener, showcasing the orchestra’s powerful emotional expression and captivating unconducted dynamics.
Artistic Director Sophie Rowell has asked musical storyteller Katy Abbott to compose a new work to begin our year, drawing on their mutual love of the communicative possibilities of music.
Currently Principal Viola of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Chris Moore brings his trademark eloquence and insight to every musical encounter. Chris joins Sophie Rowell to perform the solos in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, with its beloved dialogue between the solo violin and viola. Each voice inspires the other, a true conversation between friends.
Chris steps into the orchestra for Bunuba woman Molly Jalakbiya and Paul Stanhope’s haunting Dirrari Lament, telling the story of a mother black cockatoo grieving for the loss of her young one. Hope returns with Dvořák’s Serenade, one of the great masterpieces of the string orchestra repertoire, and a celebration of Czech song and dance.
Single tickets and subscription packages are now on sale.
29 Feb - 3 Mar 24
THE PLAYERS
SOPHIE ROWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CHRISTOPHER MOORE VIOLA
MELBOURNE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
THE MUSIC
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KATY ABBOTT Glacial Thunder
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WA MOZART Sinfonia Concertante K365 (arr string orchestra Chris Moore)
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MOLLY JALAKBIYA & PAUL STANHOPE Dirrari Lament (new version for string orchestra)
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ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Serenade for Strings Op 22
Why You’ll Love this Concert
Melodious Mozart
Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante is a double concerto — in this case a congenial musical conversation between the solo violin and solo viola, accompanied by the orchestra. The viola and violin trade some of Mozart’s most beautiful melodies, making this a favourite of musicians and audiences alike. MCO’s Sophie Rowell and guest violist Chris Moore bring this gorgeous work, to life for these performances.
Paired Premieres
Katy Abbott is one of Australia’s most treasured composers. To start our 2024 season, MCO has commissioned her to write a new work which she’s entitled Glacial Thunder. Abbott is known for her virtuosic yet accessible writing. In this piece, she uses the string orchestra to its fullest, reveling in a range of special techniques, improvisatory sections, and tight interlock between the different sections of the orchestra. The second new work on this program is a new version of Molly Jalakbiya + Paul Stanhope’s Dirrari Lament. The melody of the Lament belongs to Bunuba elder Molly Jalakbiya, and is about a mother black cockatoo who grieves at the death of her baby. Starting life as a string quartet, Paul has re-written it for the lush sound of MCO.
Decadent Dvořák
Music Speaks is a real showcase for strings — showing off the power and communication of our incredible MCO string musicians at their best. The highlight of this feast of strings must be Czech composer Dvořák’s Serenade — it’s one of his most famous works, full of local flavour, catchy dances and string brilliance. Don’t miss this uplifting masterpiece being performed by MCO in our two concerts to start the year.
Listen to our curated playlist
Preview video
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"PURSUED GREATNESS WITH DETERMINATION + CONFIDENCE"
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