Rautavaara: Angel of Light

Details

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Northey conductor
Nicolas Fleury horn
Rachel Shaw horn

Program

May Lyon Opal
Barber Adagio
Rautavaara Angel of Light

About the performance

Let the lush strings of Samuel Barber and Finnish composer Rautavaara sweep you up in a program inspired by dreams and hope for the future. Also included is a world premiere showcasing the superb talent of two of MSO’s own musicians.

• Childhood dreams and revelations
  A name you might not be familiar with, Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 – 2016) is widely recognised as the most popular Finnish composer since Jean Sibelius. Rautavaara composed prolifically in almost every form and style of classical music, using lush soundscapes in a careful balance between originality and a more traditional Romantic style. His Seventh Symphony explores the Finnish tradition of mysticism in music. Moody with swirling strings and burnished brass, Angel of Light – inspired by childhood dreams and revelations – premiered in 1994.
• From Puff Daddy to Platoon
  Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings has become one of the most well-known and loved pieces of American classical music of the past century. In a mere eight minutes, Barber creates the intensely moving effect of lingering hope – fluctuating harmonies creating a tension that never quite resolves. It’s been sampled on tracks by contemporary musicians Sean Coombs, (aka Puff Daddy), Madonna, DJ Tiesto and heard in films like The Elephant Man and Platoon.
• A world premiere performance
  Be among the first to hear Opal by Melbourne-based composer May Lyon. Movements for the work include Precious Opal, Water and Cut from Rock, which represents the mining of Opal. Also, the coming together of two to form one precious object, Water and Silica for Opal – like two horns shimmering together to form one “solo” instrument, featuring the MSO’s own Nicolas Fleury and Rachel Shaw.

Duration: approx. 60 minutes with no interval

Program and artists subject to change

Please note: Hamer Hall information upon arrival

· Foyer bars will be closed until the vaccine is widely distributed
· No Food & Beverage, other than water will be permitted indoors
· Alcohol will initially only be served at outdoor bars and venues and other precinct restaurants
· No Cloak Room
· No Box Office sales or transactions, only available for trouble shooting or ticket collection
· Masks will be mandatory for Audience members at all times, regardless of restriction level
· Masks to be worn by performers at all times, however it is recognised and acknowledged that it will not always be possible for all performances and genre types to wear a mask during a performance