THE AUSTRALIAN WORLD ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2024 PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL GUEST WORLD-RENOWNED COUNTERTENOR ANDREAS SCHOLL
“One of the great orchestras in the world.” Sir Simon Rattle
Following last year’s breathtaking performances of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, The Australian World Orchestra will come together this October to present a unique and intimate concert experience. With three exhilarating appearances only, two concerts in Sydney at The Nielson – Pier 2/3 and one in Melbourne at the Hanson Dyer Hall, this will be an exclusive fusion of virtuosity and passion not to be missed.
Audiences will be enchanted by the ethereal voice of special guest countertenor Andreas Scholl before immersing themselves in the world-class musicianship of the Australian World Orchestra, reunited from stages across the globe.
In part one Scholl will breathe life into Baroque masterpieces by Bach and Vivaldi, alongside the mesmerising minimalism of Arvo Pärt.
Part two will present Mozart’s majestic “Gran Partita”, a serenade of sublime beauty and intricacy, igniting the senses and stirring the soul; performed by a selection of the AWO’s finest wind musicians.
“Andreas Scholl has the world’s most cultured counter-tenor voice. During his three Handel arias some 6,000 people scarcely dared breathe.” THE TIMES
One of the world’s finest counter tenors, Andreas Scholl is a Grammy nominated artist who has won numerous awards and prizes and was the first countertenor ever to appear at the Last Night of the Promos. Concert performances have included appearances with Berliner Philharmoniker, New York Philharmonic, Concertgebouw, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the world’s leading baroque orchestras.
Read Andreas Scholl’s complete bio here.
About the repertoire
Johann Bach & Antonio Vivaldi
Allow yourself to be transported back to the early 1700s. A time where two forces of nature were innovating the keystone characteristics of the Baroque style in parallel: Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach. Whilst the two composers never met, Bach’s studies of Vivaldi’s surging rhythmic impulse may be observed in the virtuosic harmonies and coloratura.
Arvo Pärt
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is one of the most unique musical voices of the last century. His “… creative output has significantly changed the way we understand the nature of music…”. (Arvo Pärt Centre) The distinct Pärtian style is trademarked by tintinnabuli, derived from the Latin tintinnabulum meaning ‘little bell’. Pärt invented this minimalistic style, wherein complex numerical formulas dictate the parameters for composition, ultimately creating a paired back melodic texture: it is music distilled to an eloquent essence.
Mozart’s Gran Partita
Translating loosely to “big wind symphony”, this serenade is scored for twelve wind instruments and lone string bass. This is a Mozartian masterpiece which has, for good reason, remained firmly embedded in the heart of the repertory.
About the Australian World Orchestra
The Australian World Orchestra (AWO) is recognised as one of the most exciting initiatives in Australia’s cultural history. Founded in 2011 by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Alexander Briger AO, its mission is to bring together Australia’s finest classical musicians – from ensembles at home as well as all around the world – to create something uniquely electrifying. Touring within Australia and overseas has won the Orchestra an enviable reputation and established new audiences for classical music, while the AWO education program has helped foster the next generation of Australian musicians.
The AWO’s musicians are drawn from the world’s finest orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Concertgebouw and Australia’s orchestras and ensembles. The immense talent, coupled with its award-winning sound, has seen many of the world’s finest conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta AC, Riccardo Muti and Simone Young AM lead the orchestra both in Australia and overseas. The Australian World Orchestra has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as charismatic, inspiring and one of a kind.
PRAISE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN WORLD ORCHESTRA 2023 PERFORMANCES
★★★★★ “A genuinely virtuosic performance, with flawless solo work and imposing coordination.”
CLASSICAL VOICE
★★★★★ “…a display of cohesion and precision, verve and gusto… There were so many wonderful moments, so many layers, in this performance that it seems unfair to single out individuals.”
LIMELIGHT
★★★★★ “Intense, energetic and cathartic……Eagerly anticipated and never disappointing.”
THE AGE
