‘Crossing the Atlantic’

Saturday April 5th

Venue: Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, Performing Arts Centre, Ivanhoe
Guest Artists – Lotte Betts-Dean | Mezzo Soprano

Marquez	Danzón No 2
Elgar	Sea Pictures
Brahms	Symphony No.4

South American born Marquez’s Danzón No 2 is a distinctive urban dance from the Veracruz region of Mexico. It is rhythmic and spirited, but also nostalgic, even sad, with melodies of smouldering sensuality.

The Sea Pictures are Elgar’s only vocal song cycle. This collection of five poems set to music are much loved and an established part of the British music repertoire.

Each of Brahms four symphonies is a masterpiece, each unique, each portraying its own universe of character and emotion. His fourth and final symphony is also his most baffling, tragic and most daunting for audiences. It has become a cornerstone of the symphonic literature.

‘The Best of British’

Saturday June 28th & Sunday June 29th

Venue: Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, Performing Arts Centre, Ivanhoe
Guest Artists – The Ashton Smith Singers

Founded in 1895, The Proms, or as they are more formally known, The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, are billed as the greatest classical music festival on earth. With well over 90 concerts every year from July to September, they take place in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Click here to read the fascinating history of The Proms.

Along with all the Proms essentials, this programme included the best of British music, such as Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia, Nimrod, Jerusalem and film music from the Dam Busters and James Bond.

‘Totentanz’

Saturday September 13th & Sunday September 14th

Venue: Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, Performing Arts Centre, Ivanhoe
Guest Artist – Benjamin Martin | Piano

Gershwin	Cuban Overture
Daugherty	Red Cape Tango
Franck	Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra
Liszt	Totentanz: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra
Dvorak	Symphonic Variations Op.78, B.70

Dies Irae is a 13th Century latin hymn. It is one of the most famous melodies of the Gregorian chant. Based upon a reference from the Old Testament, it is a reflection upon the Last Judgement. Liszt’s Totentanz and Daugherty’s Red Cape Tango use this musical quotation to great effect in their sombre and daring stylistic compositions.

The Symphonic Variations by both Dvorak & Franck have not achieved major repertory status of the orchestral genre, but they are works that manifest considerable depth. They are serious and dramatic, with magical displays of compositional genius that transports the listener with an astounding spectacle of driving power, mellow relaxation and a profusion of enchanting melodies.

‘An American in Paris’

Saturday December 6th

Venue: Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, Performing Arts Centre, Ivanhoe
Guest Artist – Natsuko Yoshimoto | Violin

Barber	Overture to The School for Scandal Op.5
Gould	American Salute
Barber	Violin Concerto Op.14
Copland	The City
Gershwin	An American in Paris

Barber’s concert overture to The School for Scandal bursts with wit and youthful energy. In between cheeky tunes and bustling rhythms, lies a haunting lyrical theme so characteristic of Barber’s maturity.

Copland’s “The City” was set to a short documentary film from 1939. It attempts to contrast the evils of the industrialised city with the idyllic conditions one finds in small-town America

Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” is one of his most famous and popular orchestral works. It is a dizzying whirl of colourful rhapsodic invention portraying the experiences of a visitor to that romantic city, Paris.