From The New World

Editorial Review

Europe may be the home of classical music but this line-up shows the New World has plenty of inspiration to offer.

Event Details

Event Type:

Classical Music

Editorial Review

26-28 July 2008
Hamer Hall - The Arts Centre
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Classical music is steeped in history, so it's no wonder so many of the pieces chosen by orchestras stem from another time and from countries across the globe. It's tough for young composers to overcome the looming shadows of the likes of Mozart, Brahms, Schubert and company. In this concert, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) puts the spotlight, not on young New World composers, but more generally on the spirit of musical adventure that has come out of comparatively youthful colonial nations.

The concert includes Sibelius's The Oceanides, which was written by the Finnish composer for presentation in the United States. Leonard Bernstein's Serenade (after Plato's Symposium) sits more firmly in the New World, with the Massachusetts-born composer's work referencing the rhythm of jazz. Czech composer Dvorak's work From the New World is an obvious addition to the line-up. However, written in New York, it is said that this work is filling with echoing sadness as Dvorak dwells on his desire to be home again.

Bringing these pieces to life is another star of the New World, Canadian violinist James Ehnes. Though this prolific, multi-award-winning artist has appeared alongside orchestras from the London Symphony Orchestra to the Hong Kong Philharmonic, this will be his first appearance with the MSO.

Shelley Tustin