Melbourne Symphony Orchestra launches 2014 season

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s 2014 season has been revealed, and its new focus on accessibility will be music to many ears.
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The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s 2014 season has been revealed, and its new focus on accessibility will be music to many ears.

Tickets start out at just $20 for concerts at the Melbourne Town Hall and $25 for concerts at Hamer Hall. There are also two new seating reserves for concerts at Hamer Hall.

‘Making our music accessible to everyone who wants to hear it is one of our most important goals. We strongly believe that price shouldn’t be an obstacle to people experiencing the MSO,’ said Managing Director André Gremillet.

It’s not just city slickers who can experience the majesty of the MSO. Concerts will also be held in Geelong, Monash, and several regional venues across Victoria.

The low prices are by no means a reflection on the quality of programming, with many exciting concerts lined up.

Korean-born pianist Joyce Yang and the MSO’s Principal Guest Conductor Diego Matheuz will explore the works of Boradin, Rachmaninov and Sibelius at the opening night gala on 28 March.

 

‘I love all the pieces in this program, but I have a special feeling for Sibelius’ Symphony No.2 because I have played it many times as an orchestral musician but have never conducted it. It is an amazing, fresh and transparent piece which is incredibly powerful,’ Matheuz said.

Chief conductor Sir Andrew Davis will conduct a multi-year cycle of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies, beginning with Mahler Symphony No.1 in July and Symphony No.2, the Resurrection, in November.

‘From the First Symphony – a young man’s piece – through the tragedy of the Sixth and the resignation of the final works, the Mahler symphonies take Orchestra and audience on an emotional journey quite unlike anything else in the history of music,’ said Sir Andrew Davis.

Strauss, Beethoven and Berlioz will also come under the baton, as will Charles Ives and Australian Percy Grainger.

Knee-slapping may also ring out from the Melbourne Town Hall as actor, composer and comedian Eddie Perfect presents four programs of popular classics, all introduced with his unique humour.

‘It will be warm, inviting, inclusive, fun and, of course there will be bloody good music, played by bloody world class Australian musicians,’ said Eddie Perfect.

Many of the world’s greats can be found in the season, including violinists Frank Peter Zimmermann, James Ehnes and Nicola Benedetti, conductor Jakub Hrůša, pianists Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax and Saleem Abboud Ashkar and soprano Erin Wall.

 

Popular Australian exports Piers Lane, Ray Chen, James Morrison and Elizabeth Wallfisch are also included.

The season wouldn’t be complete without the return of a few special events. The annual Metropolis New Music Festival is back to celebrate contemporary music, and so is the MSO Pop series, which will be focusing on jazz and the best of Broadway. There is even a classically trained garage band Time for three if you’re seeking something particularly unique.

Tan Dun will also be returning to Melbourne to ring in the Chinese New Year in early February.

 

For more information, visit the MSO website.

(Pictured: Chief Conductor Sir Andrew Davis)

Melanie Sano
About the Author
Melanie Sano is an ArtsHub writer.