symphony central coast 2016 concert season
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Welcome to Symphony Central Coast’s 2016 season which might be safely called a season of contrasts as we dip our musical toes into the autumnal and wintery waters of political oppression and battle scars, frolic on the spring hillside of timeless comedy and emerging virtuosity and relax with old friends come summer. There are tales to be told, memories to be revisited and conviviality to be shared, all in your local concert hall among friends.TRANSCRIPT
Artistic Director Dr Steven Stanke
Symphony Central Coast “Excite, entrance and inspire through musical excellence”
2016CONCERTSEASON
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Welcome to Symphony Central Coast’s 2016 season which might be safely called a season of contrasts as we dip our musical toes into the autumnal and wintery waters of political oppression and battle
scars, frolic on the spring hillside of timeless comedy and emerging virtuosity and relax with old friends come summer. There are tales to be told, memories to be revisited and conviviality to be shared, all in your local concert hall among friends.
Our year begins with Beethoven’s mighty Eroica symphony, a bold new statement encompassing the anguish and despondency felt by the composer as he responded to political and personal changes, the most telling the realisation that his deafness was worsening and his hearing likely to leave him completely. Although initially claimed to be Napoleon, who was then First Consul but later self-proclaimed emperor of France, the ‘hero’
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEVEN STANKE
Artistic Director's Message
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in this symphony is most likely Beethoven himself, resolving to merge determination and triumph over adversity through a work that exorcised his fears and provided a path for a renewed compositional philosophy. Max, a hero of a different kind, operates in Weber’s opera Der Freischütz (The Marksman), a tale of magic bullets, invisible spirits and pacts with the devil. Der Freischütz is a gothic horror, difficult to stage and is one of the cornerstones of romantic opera. Its reputation as a precursor of German nationalism in music is hardly surprising since it was inspired by German folk song, based on German legend, and set in a German forest. For a further look at heroes and legends, we have included Sibelius’ tone poem En Saga (A Saga), an ‘adventure in an inner landscape, a state of mind’ the composer explained. In an effort to describe Finland’s emerging nationalism and escape from the Russian yoke, the work is typically Sibelian: icy textures, warm brass and woodwinds, and melancholy solo instruments. It paints a sound picture of a cold tundra at the northern extreme of the world. Jasmine Baric, winner of SCC’s 2014 concerto competition, provides a touch of finesse and virtuosity with Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto.
In June, we follow our hero’s exploits through war and peace, beginning with Beethoven again and his overture to the play
"...a tale of magic bullets, invisible
spirits and pacts with the devil.
Der Freischütz is a gothic horror,
difficult to stage and is one of the cornerstones of romantic opera."
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Egmont, a powerful tribute to a man who was condemned to death for taking a stand against political oppression. Dimitri Shostakovich lived with the same threats from Stalin’s regime and told his story through his symphonies, none less emotive than his Fifth, written in response to direct government
domination over the spirit of the people. Fearing for his life, he wrote a triumphant symphony concluding with a rousing march but to many, the victory is hollow. Shostakovich himself later said “I think it is clear what happens in the Fifth. The
rejoicing is forced, created under threat. It’s as if someone were beating you with a stick, saying ‘Your business is rejoicing, your business is rejoicing...’” Sally Maer explores the profound wisdom and beauty of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, written in the aftermath of the Great War.
For our September concert, we lighten the mood with Samuel Barber’s effervescent Overture to The School for Scandal and Zoltan Kodaly’s daydreaming story teller Hary Janos. Barber’s overture was written in 1931 when he was still a student and was a stunning success, immediately placing Barber as one of the most promising talents of his generation. It frolics along, convincingly complementing the play which is a comedy of
"Fearing for his life, he wrote a triumphant symphony concluding with a rousing march but to many, the victory is hollow."
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manners, containing plenty of wit and amorous intrigue. Can you imagine what a musical sneeze might sound like? Kodaly began his opera Hary Janos with a musical sneeze because there is an old Hungarian superstition that if one sneezes while telling a story, then it must be true! Hary Janos was a real person but he told real whoppers, including the time he defeated Napoleon’s army all by himself! And of course, we showcase emerging talent on the Central Coast through the Concerto Competition, traditionally hard fought and spectacularly performed.
To conclude the year, we spend time with our favourite musical ‘family and friends,’ sharing stories of love, dancing while no one is watching (at least on the inside) and remembering the year that was. There is a wedding, a tragedy, a rhapsody and musical trips to Norway, Finland, France and Spain. The sensational Angela Brewer shares some of her favourite songs and arias and Greg Turner and Vanessa Ropa, two of our woodwind principals, dazzle with a dance linked to the death throes of a tarantula bite!
Life is indeed full of contrasts and I do hope that you can join us for afternoons of heroism, determination, legend, beauty and triumph in 2016.
Dr Steven Stanke
Conductor STEVEN STANKE
WEBEROverture Der Freischütz
SIBELIUSEn Saga (A Saga)
BARBERViolin Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3
Beethoven’s mighty ‘Eroica’ symphony, originally dedicated to Napoleon, concludes a program of Germanic bravado with Weber’s overture to Der Freischütz and Sibelius’ nod toward emerging Finnish nationalism in his tone poem En Saga. Jasmine Baric provides a touch of finesse with Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto..
Sunday 3 APRIL 2016
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Sunday 26 JUNE 2016
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Beethoven’s overture to the play Egmont by Goethe is a powerful tribute to a man who was condemned to death for taking a stand against political oppression. Shostakovich lived with the same threats from Stalin’s regime and told his story though his symphonies, none less emotive than his Fifth, written in response to direct government domination over the spirit of the people. Sally Maer explores the profound wisdom and beauty of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, written in the aftermath of the Great War.
Conductor STEVEN STANKE
BEETHOVENEgmont overture
ELGARCello Concerto
Soloist SALLY MAER
SHOSTAKOVICHSymphony No. 5
CELLO SOLOIST SALLY MAER
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Conductor STEVEN STANKE
CONCERTO COMPETITION FINALS
BARBERSchool for Scandal
KODALY Hary Janos Suite
Barber's effervescent Overture to the School for Scandal frolics along, a convincing complement to Sheridan's comedy of manners, containing plenty of wit and amorous intrigue. Kodaly's Hary Janos (John Hary) is a teller of tall tales, including the time he defeated Napolean's army singlehandedly. Kodaly's suite begins with a musical sneeze so, according to ancient Hungarian superstition, it must be true! No tall tales from our concerto competitors though – sheer talent and skill.
Sunday 18 SEPTEMBER 2016
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Conductor STEVEN STANKE
Soloist ANGELA BREWER
SAINSBURYAustralian Concert Overture
GRIEG Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
SIBELIUS Valse Triste
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2
RACHMANINOVVocalise
CHABRIEREspana
SAINT SAENSTarantella - Soloists GREG TURNER, VANESSA ROPA
Spend time at the end of the year with your favourite musical 'family and friends', sharing stories of love, dancing while no one is watching (at least on the inside) and remembering the year that was. The sensational Angela Brewer shares some of her favourite songs and arias and Greg Turner and Vanessa Ropa, two of our woodwind principals, dazzle with a dance linked to the desth throes of a tarantula bite!
Sunday 4 DECEMBER 2016
VOCAL SOLOIST ANGELA BREWER
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SOLOIST - CELLO
Originally from London, Sally studied
at The Royal Academy of Music where
she performed in the presence of Diana,
Princess of Wales. After graduating with
an honours degree presented to her by
Lord Yehudi Menhuin, she relocated from
England to Australia in the late 90s.
Sally made the transition from being
an orchestral musician in the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra and The Australian
Opera and Ballet Orchestra, to playing on
TV shows such as The Voice, Australian
Idol and X Factor, to then becoming a
headline entertainer on a variety of cruise
ships including the famous Queen Mary II.
Sally had a rare once-in-a-life-time
invitation to perform at the Dawn Service
at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli 2004 with The
Peter Sculthorpe String Quartet.
The ABC signed Sally to their label in
2005 as "Cello Diva". They produced her
first solo album, ‘Bed of Roses’, aired
regularly on Classic FM. Sally appears
on many chart topping ABC compilation
albums and this year her second ABC
album was released.
SALLY MAER
WAR & PEACE CONCERTCello performance of:
ELGARCello Concerto Pre-concert
talk with soloist SALLY MAER 26 June 2016
1.45pm
Sally has performed her solo Cello Diva
show in all the major concert venues across
Australia including the Sydney Opera
House Concert Hall, the Melbourne Hamer
Hall and at the Famous Speigeltent for the
Melbourne International Arts Festival.
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SOLOIST - VOCAL
Australian Soprano, Angela Brewer
returns from singing by invitation at
The Royal Danish Opera House, Denmark.
After completing her honors degree at The
Victorian College Of The Arts, Melbourne
University with a thesis "The Physiology
of Singing", Angela began work at the age
of 23 with "Opera Australia" and has since
performed in over 200 main stage Italian,
French, German and English Operas at the
Sydney Opera House.
As a freelance artist, Angela performed
with the Australian Ballet in the world
premiere, "Wild Swans" by Elena Kats-
Chernin, Puccini's opera "Suor Angelica" in
China and recently teamed with New York's
contemporary composer, John Corigliano
to present a classical take on Bob Dylan's
seven poems, "Mr Tambourine Man".
Angela regularly makes appearances for
ABC radio, live broadcasts, as a recording
artist and has performed for the likes of
Sean Connery, Kate Blanchett and Joan
Sutherland.
ANGELA BREWER
CLASSICS CONCERTVocal performance of:
RACHMANINOVVocalise
ORFFIntrutina from Carmina Burana
DVORAKSongs My Mother Taught Me
The Water is Wide
BRACKETTSimple Gifts
PUCCINIO mio babbino caro
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Concert No.1: HEROES Sunday April 3 2016BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3
Concert No.2: WAR AND PEACE Sunday June 26 2016ELGAR Cello Concerto – soloist Sally MaerSHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No.5
Concert No.3: PRODIGIES Sunday September 18 2016Finals of Concerto CompetitionKODALY Hary Janos Suite
Concert No.4: CLASSICS Sunday December 4 2016SAINSBURY Australian Concert OvertureGRIEG, SIBELIUS, NICOLAI, LISZTAngela Brewer sings RACHMANINOV, DVORAK, PUCCINI
SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT SERIES
HIGHLIGHTS
Ticket Savings
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Online: symphonycentralcoast.com.auPhone: Credit Card or Enquiries: Call 0478 708 474Post: Please make cheques payable to Central Coast SymphonyOrchestra and post, along with this form to Symphony Central CoastPO Box 86, Gosford 2250.In person: Cash/Chq or Credit Card: Visit Central Coast Conservatorium,corner Mann and Georgiana Terrace, Gosford from 11th January 2016 Priority Season SCC 2016 subscriptions on sale from 4th January 2016General Tickets from 1st February 2016
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Based in Gosford, Symphony Central Coast was formed from local community orchestras in 1999 with support from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. SCC has grown into a full size symphony orchestra,
presenting outstanding musical programs of orchestral and choral masterworks to the Central Coast community.
The flagship activities of the SCC are the annual subscription series, comprising four concerts and featuring the best orchestral works by leading composers and performers. The orchestra is also very active in wider community engagement, performing at a variety of venues and with other community groups. Artistic Director and Conductor Dr Steven Stanke and the SCC are committed to entertain and inspire through musical excellence.
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Symphony Central Coast is one of the Central Coast's most valued and prized cultural assets, proving that the presence of a thriving symphony orchestra is a reflection of the pride in cultural awareness and support by the Central Coast community.
By necessity, sponsorship plays an essential role in ensuring the success of Symphony Central Coast. The generosity of local companies and individuals enables us to present innovative and acclaimed productions, maintain and develop artists' skills, and engage audiences.
We invite you to you to join us as a sponsor as we embark on our 2016 journey. As a sponsor you can make an immediate and tangible contribution to the company. Gifts of all sizes ensure the future of SCC.
Please contact us to discuss how you can help keep orchestral music alive on the Central Coast in 2016.
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The musicians
of SCCCharlotte Brown Josh IngleElizabeth Woolnough CELLIMichal Wieczorek Hilary Day Keiko Clements #Robyn Wand #Lean LoganMark Hollands #Nicole McVicarKarly Melas BASSESIan Esplin Steven Dunn Fiona Lugg
FLUTES/PICCOLO Rosalie Bourne Vanessa Ropa Aaron Rothemond
OBOESRachel Tolmie Andrew Ross
CLARINETSGreg TurnerDiane Gardiner BASSOONSZola SmithJoe Wolfe
HORNS Chris Hunt Kahlea BalcombRadu Boros Arthur Webster
TRUMPETSTrish O'Hearn Michael Tierney TROMBONEGary Kosky Rowen McBride E-Yang Liu TUBARowan Taylor TIMPANI/PERCUSSIONBarney Waters Wesley Chegwidden #Gerard Nicholls
CCCon teacher | # CCCon student | CCGS student | CCGS teacher/tutor
VIOLINS 1 Olena Zaporozhets Miranda Arrighi Jasmine Baric Elissa McGregor Michele Dunn Ken Arnot # Yuko Hughes Karina Hollands VIOLINS 2Sarah Fisher-Dobbin Vanessa Anderson # Lauraine Fullbrook Jude Hulson-Calvert Vicky Palmer Reg Lear Madeleine Snook # Rachel Montalbano VIOLASNatalie Adby Danny Morris
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We salute our corporate sponsors and funding partners.Their support helps ensure we provide musical experiences
that continue to inspire our audiences.
Salute
DIAMOND $20,000 PLUS
GOLD $10,000 - $19,999
RUBY $5,000 – $9,999
BUSINESS PATRONS
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HEROESSunday 3 April
WAR & PEACESunday 26 June
PRODIGIESSunday 18 September
CLASSICSSunday 4 December
VENUECentral Coast Grammar SchoolArundel Road, ERINA HEIGHTS
HOW TO BOOKSCC 2016 subscriptions open now. Single tickets open in February.
Online symphonycentralcoast.com.au Phone 0478 708 474
If you have any further questions about booking tickets, please contact SCC on 0478 708 474.
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