MAY

10illuminating notesP u b l i c A t i o n f o r t h e S u b S c r i b e r S , P At r o n S & f r i e n d S o f t h e W e S t A u S t r A l i A n S Y M P h o n Y o r c h e S t r A

i l l u M i n A t i n G n o t e S i S P r o u d lY S u P P o r t e d b Y M o n d o l u c e

2010 Abc Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards

the Keyboard final will be broadcast live across Australia through Abc classic fM and is the last step before the Grand final. WASo’s own executive Manager of Artistic Planning, Marshall McGuire, will also be on the adjudication panel.

This year the Keyboard Final will feature:

oliver She, 19, Qld rAchMAninov – Piano concerto no.3; movements 2 & 3.

Warwick Ambrose, 20, SA rAchMAninov – rhapsody on a theme of Paganini.

Philip eames, 23, Qld a selection of movements from bernStein’S Symphony no.2 The Age of Anxiety;

Joanne Kang, 19, nSW rAchMAninov – Piano concerto no.2; movements 1 & 3.

established in 1944, and originally called the concerto and vocal competition, the Abc Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards have provided opportunities for an extraordinary number of Australia’s finest classical performers including Geoffrey Parsons, roger Woodward, diana doherty, Adele Anthony, and WASo’s own Shaun lee-chen in 2007.

one of Australia’s rising stars, pianist Maxwell foster, was given a huge boost to his career when he won the prestigious award in 2008. only 16 at the time, Maxwell gave an outstanding performance that thrilled judges and audience alike. Since winning the title, Maxwell has become a highly sought-after concert performer. he has performed for Prime Minister Kevin rudd and at the oxford Piano festival and he will be performing with major orchestras throughout 2010. WASo audiences will have the opportunity to experience Maxwell’s talent first hand when he performs Mozart’s Piano concerto no.9 K.271 Jeunehomme as part of our Slavonic Dances concert on 18 and 19 June.

Maxwell Foster

6pm Wednesday 7 July Perth Concert Hall. All tickets $25*.

for bookings phone WASo on 9326 0000 or visit www.waso.com.au

for more information on the Abc Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards visit www.symphony.net.au

*Transaction fees may apply.

WASo is delighted once again to be hosting the Keyboard final of the Abc Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards on Wednesday 7 July at 6pm in the Perth concert hall. the evening features four of Australia’s finest young pianists that have progressed through the rigorous stages of this national competition. the contestants in Stage 3 will perform as soloists with WASo in this section final, with the winner receiving a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to compete for the $20,000 prize in the Grand final to be held in brisbane in August.

Shaun Lee-Chen

© Symphony Australia

Message from Paul Daniel

As I write, the weather rules – or at least, the volcano that changed the weather. Here in the frozen north, just as spring was arriving, the Iceland volcano has frozen things up, at least travel-wise. Instead of flying back and forth to Frankfurt for Britten's Billy Budd, I'll be in a train tunnel under the sea. At least my carbon footprint is going down by a couple of sizes!

During the Northern Hemisphere concert season (which is at its height in winter, just as Perth enjoyed its heatwave), variety was the name of my game. I worked with Ute Lemper on Weill and Eissler, conducted Schubert and Britten in Spain, Elgar in Finland (particularly cold!), and of course enjoyed the wonderful WASO November concerts hugely.

After our busy family Christmas, I conducted in Milwaukee, London and Dresden before travelling to Austria to workshop a new opera by Judith Weir. I conducted more German concerts before returning to Perth for the memorable series of WASO concerts in March. How brilliantly your Orchestra played with the virtuosity of Lady Macbeth and La Mer, and the WASO Chorus embraced the Sea Symphony, creating memories that will last a long time.

I can't wait to get back to Perth for our July concerts which are particularly exciting, as we continue to explore the monumental but beautifully intimate and moving music of Elgar, in his second symphony. I've always adored Korngold's orchestral panache and style and Rod McGrath's performance of Korngold's Cello Concerto will be a high point of my season.

The music in the following week's concert, Resurrection Symphony, needs little introduction, but mixes two composers who rarely share a concert – Purcell and Mahler. I wanted to create something of the sense of mortality and fate that triggered Mahler's epic emotional journey in his second symphony. The music that Purcell wrote to accompany Queen Mary's cortege into Westminster Abbey in 1695 seems to me to produce an extraordinary prelude to Mahler's funeral march, before his symphony bursts out into the ecstasy of its final 'resurrection'. I hope you agree with me!

I look forward to seeing you in July!

Paul Daniel Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser

Paul Daniel appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to

the first edition of Illuminating Notes for 2010.

Farewell to Jay HarrisonWASO’s performance of Lady Macbeth on Saturday 20 March marked a particularly important date in our calendar as we farewelled a long-serving and highly valued member of our Orchestra – Principal Cor Anglais player Jay Harrison.

Jay's retirement comes after an incredible 32 years with the Orchestra. His final performance with WASO in March closed an epic chapter in his family's association with Orchestra – this is the first time in almost 60 years that a Harrison has not been a permanent musician with WASO.

Jay’s father Jack Harrison was in WASO for 42 years and is the longest serving member to this day. The Harrison family’s connection to WASO includes Jay’s mother, Marcia, who wrote the history of the Orchestra to mark our 75th anniversary in 2003 and Jay’s sister, Jody, who has also worked at WASO.

Jay started out as a clarinetist but switched to the oboe and cor anglais after falling in love with the sound of these instruments. He first played the oboe in 1979, eventually rising to his position as Principal Cor Anglais with WASO. Jay has seen many changes at WASO over the years as it has grown to become the vibrant organisation it is today.

"My time in the Orchestra has been very rewarding and I don't think I would have been as motivated or interested in any other career,” Jay said in a recent interview with The West Australian. "I am a little bit sad I guess, but having done this for 32 years I don't think it is the job and the performing that I will miss, but the comradeship that has built up over the years."

I'm sure we will continue to see Jay as a frequent visitor to WASO's future performances. We wish Jay well in all of his future adventures and thank him for his outstanding commitment to WASO. Jay Harrison

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Emirates Access amazing online fare offers exclusive to WASO Subscribers at www.waso.com.au Enter your password ENCORE and experience exceptional service, comfort, superior technology and an unsurpassed fare courtesy of WASO’s Principal Partner.

ABC Shops Receive 10% off any full price purchases in ABC Shops in WA. Phone 9321 6852. This discount only applies to in-store purchases.

Adelaide Symphony Receive concession prices to all ASO concerts. Call Bass Dial and Charge 131 246. Visit www.aso.com.au for information.

AEG Ogden Receive 5% discount on food and coffee for pre-show dining at the Perth Concert Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre. Phone 9231 9946.

Australian Chamber Orchestra Receive 10% discount on Australian Chamber Orchestra 2010 Season concerts. Enter the promotion code ‘WASO’ when you book online at aco.com.au or phone 1800 444 444.

Black Swan State Theatre Company Receive concession price tickets to all main house Black Swan State Theatre Company 2010 productions. Bookings via BOCS 9484 1133.

Ellington Jazz Club Receive “Jazz Standard” member’s price to all performances at The Ellington Jazz Club at 191 Beaufort St Perth. Book at www.ellingtonjazz.com.au or 9228 1088.

Elmstock Tea Company Receive a 10% discount on Elmstock Tea purchased at the Balcatta outlet or online www.elmstocktea.com.au

Hyatt Regency Perth Receive a 25% discount off the total bill in Café. Up to a maximum of $45.00. Valid anytime.

Limelight Magazine Receive over 40% discount on a 12 month limelight subscription, retail $102 WASO subscribers $59.95. Phone 1300 610 765 and quote 6210.

Luna Palace Cinemas Purchase movie tickets at the discounted price of $13.00 at www.lunapalace.com.au

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra WASO subscribers receive 10% off single ticket prices to subscription series concerts. Book at www.ticketmaster.com.au Subject to availability.

Musica Viva Receive a 10% discount off all full price adult tickets to Musica Viva performances. Bookings via BOCS on 9484 1133.

Opera Australia Receive 10% discount on tickets for Opera Australia 2010 performances at the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre, Melbourne. Phone (02) 9318 8200 (Sydney) or (03) 9685 3700 (Melbourne) and quote WASO. Limit 4 per customer. Not valid with any other offer.

Perth Theatre Company Receive a 10% discount off standard price tickets to all Perth Theatre Company 2010 productions. Bookings via BOCS on 9484 1133.

The Queensland Orchestra Receive a 10% saving on any single ticket price to subscription series concerts, subject to availability and excluding special events. To book, call Qtix at 136 246 and quote “Queensland Arts Subscriber”.

Plan B Wealth Management WASO subscribers receive a special discount on Plan B’s comprehensive range of financial planning services. For more information please call 1300 362 082.

Sydney Symphony Receive 10% discount on tickets for SSO 2010 Season concerts. Visit www.sydneysymphony.com or phone (02) 8215 4600 and quote promotion code 2022. Terms and conditions apply.

The Perth Mint 2 for 1 entry to The Perth Mint's Gold Exhibition as well as a 10% discount on jewellery and souvenirs at The Perth Mint shop.

Vegetal Flowers Receive 20% off the purchase price of fresh flowers. Phone 9388 2454.

West Australian Ballet Receive a 10% discount off full price tickets for West Australian Ballet Performances. Bookings via BOCS 9484 1133.

West Australian Opera Receive concession price adult tickets to West Australian Opera’s 4 main house productions. Applicable to A, B and C Reserve seating and not valid on opening or Saturday nights. Bookings via BOCS 9484 1133.

West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra Receive a 10% discount off full price tickets to WAYJO performances. Bookings 9471 1950.

West Australian Youth Music Assocation Receive a 25% discount off full price and concession tickets to WAYMA performances, excluding children’s concerts. Bookings 9328 9859.

Yamaha Music Education Centre Receive 10% off 1 semester of group music lessons for children 3–8 years old (includes Music Wonderland, Junior Music or Young Musicians' Courses). Phone 1300 139 506 or visit www.yamahamusic.com.au

Subscriber Benefits 2010Use your West Australian Symphony Orchestra 2010 Subscriber Card to take advantage of these great discounts and special privileges.

Perth Mint’s Great Composers Coin SeriesThe Perth Mint of Australia has produced a series of silver coins celebrating some of the world’s best-loved composers. The series of five coins will be released over two years and feature composers Felix Mendelssohn, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, Gustav Mahler and Franz Liszt.

The first two coins in the series were released by Perth Mint in mid 2009 and early 2010 and feature Mendelssohn and Chopin. The newest addition to the collection has just been released and celebrates the 200th anniversary of German composer Robert Schumann.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality, each coin release is limited to a mintage of just 5,000. Each coin is housed in a presentation case and illustrated shipper accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The coins make a beautiful gift for music loving friends and family.

The Great Composers coins retail for $89.50, and are available from The Perth Mint at 310 Hay Street, East Perth, on 1800 098 817 or online at www.perthmint.com.au. They can also be purchased from the Perth Concert Hall’s shop Encore which is open during WASO performances.

WASO’s Private Giving Program is supported by The Perth Mint.

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Subscribe to WASO’s SymphonE-News and be the first to hear our latest news and special offers. It’s frEE to join! Log on to waso.com.au and click on the SymphonE-News link.

Behind the Scenes with Bugs Bunny

We caught up with Emmy Award-winning creator and conductor George Daughtery to find out more about this unusual combination of cartoons and classics.

Why did you create Bugs Bunny at the Symphony?

I had two very strong reasons behind my desire to create this show. The first stemmed from my great memories of these cartoons from my own childhood. Many kids got their first dose of classical music from these incredible cartoons. Wagner, Rossini, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Mendelssohn — they are ALL in these cartoons. The cartoons made this great music totally irresistible and unforgettable to kids (and adults) who weren’t normally drawn to classical music. And my second reason was a really strong desire to create a concert which pulls people into a concert hall who might not otherwise come. This concert, just like the cartoons, has introduced a lot of adults to the incredible magic of the symphony orchestra, and then they come back for to see other classical concerts.

How many times have you conducted the show around the world now?

I can’t even count. Hundreds of times. Maybe over a thousand times. We’ve tallied up that almost a million people have seen it. It’s been amazing.

It seems like a pretty good gig: fly around the world, travel light, work with leading orchestras in world-famous venues …

Well, I don’t exactly travel light! I’m very big on taking my entire life on the road with me. But it is incredible. I have been lucky to conduct some of the greatest orchestras in the world in some of the most legendary concert venues in the world.

And what do these orchestras think about playing “cartoon music”?

Well, there is nothing “cartoony” about the music, other than the animated visuals. The music is actually extremely difficult – very virtuosic. Carl Stalling, the original Warner Bros. animation composer, was a master musician and a superb orchestrator. He knew exactly when to unleash the full fury of the entire orchestra, and he also knew when to apply a minimalist touch for even more stunning effect. The musicians instantly recognize the brilliance of the compositions and the incredibly high musical standard. And then, of course, there is the whole difficulty of playing an entire concert in exact synchronization to cartoons being projected on a big screen! So it is a very unique experience for these orchestras.

Do you have a particular favourite piece in the show?

All of the cartoons in the show — and all of the characters — have their own unique and very specific special qualities. They are all so wonderful. I do have to say, though, that What’s Opera, Doc? is very dear to my heart. I mean, who else but Chuck Jones could have taken all 23 hours of Wagner’s Ring Cycle (as well as the major leitmotifs from Tannhauser, The Flying Dutchman, Die Meistersinger, and Lohengrin) and delivered the whole thing in seven minutes and 30 seconds flat? That’s What’s Opera, Doc?!!

In your experience, what do audiences enjoy most about the show?

There are so many things to enjoy. First of all, there is the excitement and immediacy of the music. People who have seen — and heard — the show say that they will never be able to hear animation music in the same way, or watch cartoons in the same way. Kids love this concert on a very basic and visceral level — they love these cartoons. They are fast and furious, colourful, funny, engaging, and of course, there is all this great music. But unlike so many other cartoons and things from our childhoods, these particular cartoons really grow up with you as you get older... and when you are an adult, you see a whole new sophistication in these Bugs Bunny classics. That is what makes them so special; you can watch them your whole life, and always see something new.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is presented by Ernst & Young.

At the end of May WASO will perform Bugs Bunny at the Symphony – featuring classic Warner Bros. cartoons projected live on the big screen with the Orchestra playing their exciting soundtracks live. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony started its life as Bugs Bunny on Broadway and was first performed 20 years ago. While the show has previously been performed in Australia in both Sydney and Melbourne, this is the first time the concert will be performed in Perth.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

George Daughtery

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is on Friday 28 & Saturday 29 May at Burswood Theatre. For bookings phone Ticketek on 132 849 or visit www.ticketek.com.au

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News from WASO’s Private Giving Team

Patrons & Friends Private Lounge

Private Giving

It has been nearly a year since the Private Giving team – Alecia Benzie, Sarah Gallinagh and Sarah Tompkin – started working together and it has been a great pleasure to get to meet and know so many of you. During what was a financially difficult time, our Patrons maintained and in many cases strengthened their support for WASO, and this is deeply appreciated.

We have made a few changes that you may have noticed, including our new Private Giving brochure which outlines how Patrons support WASO’s artists and vision through their donations. If you visit our website, www.waso.com.au, we have also updated our Private Giving pages to include information about giving – to WASO and in general – so if you know of anyone who is thinking about becoming an arts patron please direct them to our website. It also contains useful information about ways you can be involved, including our Annual Giving Program, our Commissioning Program called the WASO Song Book, our Bequest Program called the Symphony Circle, as well as the latest news and events updates from the Friends of WASO.

Annual Giving is the bedrock of WASO’s philanthropic support. It is critical to our ability to plan our future with confidence and enhances the artistic vibrancy of WASO. We are proud to acknowledge the support we receive through the Annual Giving Program, and it offers our Patrons the opportunity to support WASO and its artists through donations that are fully tax deductible. Our Patrons form part of a special community of individuals who support what we do and, when possible, we invite our Patrons to participate in special events and celebrations.

In addition to Annual Giving, there are other ways to support your Orchestra and the WASO Song Book, featured on page 6, is another wonderful way to be involved. Further details are on our website but please feel free to call us if you have any questions and we would be very happy to talk to you in more detail about what we do.

We welcome your stories, your ideas and your views, so please get in touch if you want to be involved with our special community of Patrons.

As a Patron or Friend you are a valued supporter of the Orchestra and we try to make your visit to the Concert Hall as enjoyable as we can. It is for this reason that we created the Patrons and Friends Private Lounge on the Lower Gallery of the Perth Concert Hall, and we encourage all our Patrons and Friends to join us in the lounge for Masters and Classics concerts. This provides a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with like-minded music lovers and supporters of WASO. Please also note that there are speakers set up so you can listen to the Pre-Concert Talks (starting at 6.45pm) from the comfort of the Lounge. You can also pre-order your drinks for interval to avoid the queue, and water is available free of charge.

The Private Giving Team is currently looking at ways to refurbish this space and welcomes your ideas – watch this space.

WASO’s Private Giving Team

Alecia Benzie, Executive Manager, Private Giving 9326 0020 or benziea@waso.com.au

Sarah Gallinagh, Donations & Bequests Coordinator 9326 0075 or gallinaghs@waso.com.au

Sarah Tompkin, Philanthropy Coordinator 9326 0015 or tompkins@waso.com.au

Tutti Patron Raimund Dolinschek with Sarah Gallinagh.

Tutti Patrons Bob and Lisa Von Felten. 5

The WASO Song Book – WASO’s Commissioning ProgramInspired by Paul Daniel and founded by WASO Chairman Janet Holmes à Court, The WASO Song Book is an opportunity for you to become part of WASO’s history. A matter very close to the heart of everyone at WASO is the commissioning of new works. Each year our aim is to perform new works for our audiences, providing opportunities to nurture musical careers and create new music that may become the classics of tomorrow. These works, over a period of years, will form “The WASO Song Book” – new works commissioned for WASO, by WASO. It is a truly unique project and we are inviting you to join us and be a part of this exciting, extremely rewarding, creation.

For centuries composers have had enlightened benefactors to enable them to bring their musical ideas to life – Claudio Monteverdi had the Doges of Venice to support him, J.S. Bach had the Archbishop of Salzburg and Haydn had the Esterhazy family just to name a few. At WASO we are proud to acknowledge our very own benefactors. Most recently, Janet Holmes à Court has led the way in supporting new works for WASO by commissioning new pieces by Carl Vine and Sir John Tavener. This support, including her most recent commission of Tavener’s Little Ceremonial, was recognised by our Principal Conductor Paul Daniel following its world premiere at Beethoven's Emperor on Friday 26 March.

Commissioning new work is an extremely rewarding experience. You are credited on the score – forever – as the commissioner of the work. Your name will be mentioned in program notes and all other publications where the work is discussed. Where possible, you will have the opportunity to meet the composer and perhaps most importantly, you will get the pleasure of knowing you are supporting the creative minds of contemporary Australia and that you have enabled the composing of a new work of art that would otherwise not have been able to be created.

As Janet Holmes à Court said to WASO subscribers, Patrons and Friends after the Tavener premiere, “commissions can be supported in many different ways for many different reasons. Ten friends can get together to commission a new work for the eleventh friend’s birthday. A commission can celebrate an anniversary, the birth of a grandchild, the memory of a loved one or it can be for the simple pleasure of leaving a legacy to your love of music.”

We invite you to be a part of The WASO Song Book by supporting a new work for WASO. In doing so, you will join a special community of WASO supporters, dedicated to building the music of tomorrow. To learn more, please contact Alecia Benzie, Executive Manager, Private Giving on 9326 0020 or benziea@waso.com.au

Private Giving

Paul Daniel presents the score of “Little Ceremonial” to Janet Holmes à Court.

Thank You to our Helping HandsWASO has a dedicated group of Friends who participate as volunteers providing invaluable support to WASO. These volunteers help at the WASO Program and Merchandise Desk at the Perth Concert Hall on concert nights to distribute programs and function as a point of contact for the public. Our volunteers also take bookings for Friends events, assist in WASO’s music library and help administration staff with mail-outs.

A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our volunteers, including Christine Atkinson, Pam Bennet, Zeeva Boalch, Nelly Brandsma, Annette Cotte, Val Ferreira, Dot Hancock, Barbara Kent, Eric Lawson, Wolfgang (Wolfie) Lehmkuhl, Mary Napier, Dusty Peck, Brendan Pullan, Jeanette Robertson, Audrey Rogers and Stan Vicich for their contribution. Pam Bennet at WASO's Administration Office.6

From the President

Dr Fred Affleck, President

Welcome Friends and Patrons to another season of wonderful concerts by the WASO. 2010 is a busy year for Maestro Paul Daniel and the Orchestra, and the Friends of WASO have planned many wonderful events for all our Friends and Patrons.

Our events season got off to an excellent start with Tea & Symphony on 19 March featuring the final rehearsal for the first Classics concert. Make a note – the next ‘Meet the Sections’ event will be on Sunday 30 May and will introduce our Celli to you at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at UWA. An event not to be missed!

I’m sure you will have your favourites in the 2010 season. I already have a couple – the first Classics concert showing off our own Principal Horn David Evans with his delightful solo in Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Suite of Dmitri Shostakovich was nothing short of spectacular.

A last word. When you attend your next concert, please come and see us either pre-concert or at interval in the Patrons and Friends Private Lounge at the southern end of the Lower Gallery. You can listen to the Pre-Concert Talks, mingle with other Friends and Patrons and even pre-order your drinks for interval.

Dr fred Affleck President, Patrons & friends

We are delighted to announce the next highly anticipated Meet the Section event and this time it’s Meet the Celli! We have secured a fantastic space for this event – the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at the University of Western Australia. On Sunday 30 May from 5.30pm to 7.30pm we will introduce our cello players to you. This gives you the chance to ask all those cello questions you have always wanted to ask. Our cellists will present to you excerpts from some of the most beautiful and timeless pieces written for the cello so be sure not to miss out! With delicious catering and the beautiful sounds of the celli in the stunning grounds of the University, this is promising to be a gorgeous event.

Tickets are $35 for Friends and Patrons and $40 for your guests. WASO gratefully acknowledges the support of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery for the Meet the Celli event. Tickets to these events sell fast so please book early by returning the booking form on page 8 by mail before Friday 21 May or email the Friends of the WASO on friendsofwaso@waso.com.au

The Concert

WASO cellists Shigeru Komatsu & Fotis Skordas

Cinema Paradiso in Northbridge was the ideal venue for a special preview of the film The Concert on Sunday 18 April. Almost 200 people, including WASO musicians, attended the screening of this fantastic film and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

There was pathos, humour and deep emotion in this wonderful story which portrayed the highly illicit re-assembling of old members of the Bolshoi Orchestra by a disenchanted former conductor to travel from Moscow to stage a special performance at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. A stand out feature was the passion these old musicians had retained for their instruments and their music... and there were many misty eyes by the end.

We are delighted with the response to this project which has netted $2,500 towards the Friends of WASO Scholarship fund – a fantastic result! A special thanks to our volunteers and to everyone who contributed to this result by attending the event.

Laughter and Misty Eyes at The Concert

Meet the Celli

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!

EVENT BOOKING FORMIf you would like to attend any of the upcoming events please complete this form and mail or fax to: PATRONS AND FRIENDS OF WASO. PO Box 3041, Perth Adelaide Terrace, WA 6832. Telephone 9326 0016 Fax 9326 0080

Name(s): ....................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone: .................................................................................... Email ...................................................................................

Meet the Celli – Sunday 30 May, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at UWA

............... Patrons & Friends tickets at $35 each. Subtotal ............... ............... Guests at $40 each Subtotal ...............

Names of attendee(s) ................................................................................................................................................................

Tea & Symphony – friday 16 July, Perth Concert Hall

............... Patrons & Friends tickets at $20 each. Subtotal ............... ............... Guests at $25 each Subtotal ...............

Names of attendee(s) ................................................................................................................................................................

I enclose a cheque for: $ ............................................ I wish to pay by: Mastercard Visa (please make cheques payable to West Australian Symphony Orchestra)

No.: Exp:

Cardholder’s name: ...................................................................... Signature: ........................................................................

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ISSUE TICKETS. YOUR NAME(S) WILL BE CHECKED AGAINST A LIST ON ARRIVAL.

Please indicate how many tickets you would like to purchase for the following event.

Private Giving

With two successful Tea & Symphonies having happened earlier this year, the next round of Open Rehearsals is already in the making: On Friday 16 July you are invited to join us for the General Rehearsal of Mozart & Elgar. In this concert, Principal Conductor Paul Daniel continues his interpretations of Elgar’s symphonies with the Second, which captures the spirit and emotions of the passing of King Edward VII, to whose memory this work is dedicated. Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s rarely performed Cello Concerto from 1946, encapsulating the composer’s time in Hollywood, will be performed by WASO’s own Principal Cello Rod McGrath and Mozart’s Symphony No.34 will complete the program.

To attend this Tea & Symphony, please arrive at the Concert Hall at 9.30am for a 10.00am start and have your name checked off on the list at the desk (we do not issue tickets). Morning tea with the Orchestra will be served at interval.

for bookings please return the enclosed booking form, with payment by friday 9 July.

Tea & Symphony

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The WASO Chorus Performs in SydneyThe WASO Chorus recently travelled to Sydney to take part in a performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony with the Sydney Symphony at the Opera House. Chorus Director Marilyn Phillips, who travelled with the group, takes us behind the scenes of this tour and gives us a taste of what’s on the horizon for the WASO Chorus.

The year that marked the 150th anniversary of Mahler’s birth began splendidly for the WASO Chorus. More than 80 voices travelled to Sydney to perform Mahler's Eighth Symphony in the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy.

This auspicious musical event involved an incredible 550 musicians performing together on stage. All of the WASO choristers involved in the performance agreed that the experience was immensely worthwhile, despite the demands of intensive rehearsals with complex harmonies and a challenging German text.

Audience members agreed the choral singing was spine-tingling, demonstrating the power of disciplined massed voices producing sounds from the softest controlled pianissimo to powerful fortissimo. Few musical experiences can match over four hundred voices singing the opening Veni – one of the many magical moments in a week of inspired music making.

Chorister Maya Kraj-Krajewski described the experience of performing at the Sydney Opera House as "exhilarating" and said the week in Sydney brought Chorus members closer together while also providing an opportunity to meet other choristers from around Australia.

“It was wonderful to experience a tour like this first-hand where it really did make us stronger,” said Maya. “Our newfound camaraderie enhanced our performance of the Mahler and when we returned to Perth, it was great to see the spark from Sydney was still there at rehearsals for the Sea Symphony, performed only weeks later.”

The WASO Chorus will continue with the Mahler Anniversary by performing his Second Symphony at the Perth Concert Hall in July with Paul Daniel. This concert will be a further opportunity for the Chorus to demonstrate their nationally acknowledged reputation in another classic of the choral repertoire, this time in front of their home audience.

The Chorus will also feature in WASO’s Grand Gala concert, A Night in Paris with Sumi Jo on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 July. Later in the year they will perform their own concerts in Bunbury on Sunday 26 September and Mandurah on Sunday 3 October.

New voices are of course always welcome, and auditions for potential choristers are held on a regular basis. The commitment required is one rehearsal a week, occasionally two. The musical achievements of the WASO Chorus in recent years have increasingly revealed the talents of those who, in the beginning, only thought of themselves as inexperienced amateurs. Come and experience the joy of good choral singing – you'll never know how good you are till you try!

The WASO Chorus is supported by Lotterywest.

WASO Chorus at the Sydney Opera House.

Performing Mahler's Symphony No.8.

For more information about joining the WASO Chorus contact Stephen McAllan on 9326 0051 or mcallans@waso.com.au

Troy Greatz (Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani) and his wife Kerry welcomed in the new year with the arrival of their daughter Poppy Clair Greatz.

Poppy was born on 31 December 2009 and weighed in at 3.52kg.

Peter Miller (Trumpet) and Eve Silver (Cello) recently got engaged on the Mediterranean Coast in Northern Spain. The couple plan to marry in December in Melbourne.

Orchestra News

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James Ledger’s Composer-in-Residence tenure has come to an end, marking an outstanding and rewarding period with the Orchestra – but not the end of the relationship. Whilst we look forward to more of Ledger’s works in the future, there have been many triumphs over the past three years.

James’ residency began in 2007. His first major achievement with WASO was the world premiere of his Trumpet Concerto in 2007’s Great Classics Series concert, Splendour of Brass. This composition received critical acclaim as expressive, imaginative and sensitive, and strengthened his position as a serious and prolific Australian composer.

The Wagnerian themed 2008 Gala Opening premiered The Madness and Death of King Ludwig as its opener – James’ musical telling of the intriguing story of King Ludwig, Wagner’s patron. This begins in the low depths of the basses and brass before rising up – an idea that parallels that of Wagner’s in Die Walküre. Also in 2008, James’ composition Bell Weather was premiered as part of the WASO Chamber Players Series in the Art Gallery of WA.

James’ growth was evident in 2009, his final year in residence, with his offerings Arcs and Planes and Chronicles. According to The West Australian the geometry inspired Arcs and Planes “encapsulates see-sawing glissandos and zanily distributed pitch complements rippling and fizzing in a kaleidoscopic dance”. This piece was a contribution to science as much as it was to music.

Chronicles, a diptych for orchestra, is Ledger’s reflection on the skies of Estonia where he studied in 2008 as a Churchill Fellow. This piece explores change and rebirth, from the greying tone of the clouds to the deepened angle of sunlight in the winter sky.

Following on from his outstanding work with WASO, the Sydney Opera House commissioned a new clarinet quintet for WASO Chamber Players, which premiered in December 2009 in the Utzon Room.

As well as undertaking a brief to create new and enriching works for the Orchestra, the Composer-in-Residence is also responsible for a number of arrangements and other special programs. During his time with WASO, Ledger fashioned arrangements for WASO’s Pops in the Park performances with Augie March and Ben Lee. He was also instrumental in a number of projects including composition and mentoring programs for music students.

Ledger’s residency a triumph

James Ledger

Since the last edition of Illuminating Notes was published WASO has received a number of awards which we are excited to add to our collection.

In September 2009 WASO won both a national and state Classical Music Award. The Classical Music Awards were presented by the Australian Music Centre and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 21 September.

WASO won the national award for the Best Performance of an Australian Composition with our performance of Carl Vine's exquisitely crafted Symphony No.7 Scenes from a Daily Life. Our November 2008 premiere of this composition, conducted by Arvo Volmer, also earned WASO the 2009 Limelight Magazine Award for Best New Composition. This commission was made possible thanks to the generous support of Janet Holmes à Court AC and Symphony Australia with funds provided by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts.

WASO also received the Western Australian Classical Music Award for Best Performance of an Australian Work for James Ledger’s The Madness and Death of King Ludwig. This composition, which was performed by WASO in March 2008 conducted by Asher Fisch, was written by Ledger during his tenure as WASO’s Composer-In-Residence.

WASO Wins

Did you know 2010 marks the first of two consecutive Mahler anniversary years?

On 7 July this year it will be 150 years since Gustav Mahler's birth in Kaliste (now in the Czech Republic). The 18 May 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of his death. Orchestras around the world will be celebrating these important anniversaries with performances of Mahler’s great symphonies during 2010-11.

WASO pays tribute to the birth of this incredible composer in July with our performance of his Symphony No.2 Resurrection on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July. This concert will feature soprano Sara Macliver, mezzo soprano Liane Keegan and the WASO Chorus under the guidance of Paul Daniel. With over 200 musicians on stage, Mahler’s second symphony is a monumental orchestral and choral masterpiece.

Mahler Anniversary

The Composer-in-Residence program is an important tool for WASO to achieve its purpose of touching souls and enriching lives through music. James’ time with WASO has certainly helped achieve this purpose and has added to Western Australia’s cultural vibrancy. We thank James for his time at WASO and wish him the very best in the future. Our relationship will, of course, continue and we look forward to performing many more of James’ compositions for years to come.

Carl Vine10

Pre-Concert Talk SpeakersJune – July

richard Tognetti with WASOFri 11 and Sat 12 JunePre-Concert Talk with Margaret Pride

Verbitsky Conducts Dvorak Thu 17 JunePre-Concert Talk with Cassandra Lake

Slavonic DancesFri 18 and Sat 19 JunePre-Concert Talk with Cassandra Lake

Mozart & ElgarFri 16 and Sat 17 JulyPre-Concert Talk with Marilyn Phillips

resurrection SymphonyFri 23 and Sat 24 JulyPre-Concert Talk with Brendon Pearn

Enigma VariationsThu 29 JulyPre-Concert Talk with Prue Ashurst

Simone Young ConductsFri 30 and Sat 31 JulyPre-Concert Talk with Prue Ashurst

Meet the ArtistJune – July

On Friday evening following the concert join guest artists in the Terrace level foyer for an informal interview hosted by Marshall McGuire. Discover how the concert repertoire is selected and gain an insight into the life of an artist.

resurrection SymphonyFriday 23 JulyPost-Concert Talk with Paul Daniel

WASO Pre-Concert Talks and Meet the Artist are supported by Wesfarmers Arts.

Double bassist Andrew Tait recently spent a few months in London to study with renowned English double bass maker Roger Dawson. Andrew received a $25,000 arts development grant from the Department of Culture and the Arts to travel to London to develop a fi ve-string double bass. We asked Andrew to share a bit about the art of making a double bass and his experience in London...

It's seven thirty in the morning and dark, as I slide down an icy Greenwich road covered in snow. Most of my West Australian Symphony Orchestra colleagues are reclining on hot beaches in the south west of Western Australia. Instead I am walking to work in the heart of a northern winter. I say work, but it does not feel like work. The hours fl y by in the small Deptford workshop of Roger Dawson, one of the world’s pre-eminent luthiers.

Roger and his apprentice, Sam, are kept busy restoring and preserving the beautiful old instruments of the London double bass community. They envy me my uninterrupted activity, for I have been awarded a Department of Culture and the Arts development grant to travel to London to design and build a fi ve stringed double bass, absorbing the London tradition and benefi ting from Roger’s lifetime of experience in the trade.

Stringed instrument building is a delicate balance between strength (enough to support the nearly half a ton of string tension on a bass bridge) and lightness (allowing for suffi cient vibration). A fi ve stringed double bass pushes this balance to the limit.

Roger and I decide to copy an instrument made by Fendt (London 1800's) as an appropriate model from which to start.

Building can begin with the arrival of a shipment of specially selected and dried timber from Dave Dykes wood yard in Sussex. A combination of soft and hard woods are used. European spruce is used for the "belly" (or front) and maple (or English sycamore) for the sides, back, neck and scroll.

The sides are bent to shape around a hot iron with the addition of water, but the rest of the instrument is carved with gouge chisels, thumb planes, rasps and scrapers. For all our advances in science and technology the old methods of instrument making have still not been surpassed. With escalating prices pushing the majority of marvellous old instruments out of the reach of working musicians it is ever more important to keep these traditions alive.

The World of Double Bass

A double bass in the making.

Andrew Tait

Recently, WASO hosted its fi rst Meet the Orchestra and Principal Conductor function after the Friday and Saturday performances of Beethoven’s Emperor at the Perth Concert Hall. Paul Daniel and many Orchestra members and staff mingled and shared a drink with a number of delighted audience members after the evening’s performances.

Hosting Meet the Orchestra and Principal Conductor functions allows WASO to provide a friendly, casual atmosphere where our valued audience members have the opportunity to catch up and chat with all of WASO’s stars.

For many, this was another chance to catch up with old friends in WASO but for others, this was a fi rst-time experience and there has been plenty of great feedback since the event. One comment on Facebook said “Thank you Mr Paul Daniel for speaking to me after the concert. It was also nice to meet some of the cast”. Another guest said “Some of the musicians just came up and introduced themselves… I was thrilled! I’ll be looking out for them at the next concert.”

We invite you to join us for our next Meet the Orchestra and Principal Conductor function following the Friday and Saturday evening performances of our Classics Series concert, Mozart & Elgar, on 16 and 17 July. Book now and come along to meet your Orchestra!

Meet your Orchestra

Xiao Le Wu and Peter Miller with members of the audience.

Concert Webcast

With the support of our Streaming Partner iiNet, WASO will present a webcast of Richard Tognetti with WASO on Saturday 12 June. Enjoy WASO live from your living room or watch the webcast on demand to relive the magic. To view the concert visit www.waso.com.au and click on the webcast icon.

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Telephone: 9326 0000 | Facsimile: 9326 0099 | www.waso.com.au

We would like to hear what you think about Illuminating Notes. All feedback is welcome. Please send your comments to waso@waso.com.au with the words Illuminating Notes in the subject line.FEEDBACK

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Andrew Nicholson was first introduced to the flute aged eight and at thirteen he won the National Music for Youth Woodwind prize at the Festival Hall. In 1985 he was awarded a scholarship to study at Chethams School of Music and in 1988 was a finalist in the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year.

Andrew began his professional career working with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and in 1992 was appointed Principal Flute with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Seven years later he returned to England as Principal Flute with the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester before joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as Principal Flute in 2002. Andrew toured extensively with the Orchestra and gave masterclasses and recitals at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.

Andrew has worked with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra and in 2007 he was appointed Principal Flute of BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He also played Principal Flute on the last two Harry Potter films.

Andrew is excited about his big move to Perth and says his main reasons for crossing the globe were “to work with such a great Orchestra and with Principal Conductor Paul Daniel, and to enjoy the more relaxed lifestyle that Australia offers.”

After completing a Bachelor of Music degree at The Victorian College of the Arts, Adam Mikulicz spent 3 years studying music at the Australian National Academy of Music where he performed in many chamber and solo recitals.

In 2008 and 2009 Adam spent time in Europe gaining further experience by having lessons from some of Germany's finest Bassoonists. Most recently he was a resident of the Bern Hochschule in Switzerland, receiving weekly lessons from the principal bassoon of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Adam has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, The Queensland Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.

Simone Walters made the move West to join WASO in July last year. Simone studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Victorian College of the Arts and was mentored and inspired by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s principal Contrabassoon, Brock Imison, who ignited her passion for the instrument. In Sydney Simone studied with Matthew Wilkie (Principal Bassoon at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) after successfully auditioning for SSO’s Sydney Sinfonia programme in 2004. After completing her Graduate Diploma of Music Performance, Simone toured Europe with the Australian Youth Orchestra as Principal Contrabassoon. In 2009 Simone travelled to Moscow and Paris with contemporary music ensemble ELISION as well as to the United States with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra where she performed at Carnegie Hall. Her experience includes performances with all of Australia’s major orchestras.

WASO Welcomes…WASO is excited to welcome three new musicians to the Orchestra – Andrew Nicholson (Principal Flute), Adam Mikulicz (Associate Principal Bassoon) and Simone Walters (Principal Contrabassoon).

Andrew Nicholson Adam Mikulicz Simone Walters