Program: Concertos Festival

Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra

� Program 1

6.30 pm Performance

Conducted by Paul Dean

Mozart

Concerto in A major for Clarinet & Orchestra, K.622

Vine Pipe dreams : concerto for flute and strings

Mendelssohn

Concerto in E minor for Violin & Orchestra, op.64

Beethoven

Concerto No. 3 in C minor for Piano and Orchestra, op.37

� Program 2

8 pm Performance

Conducted by Peter Luff

Copland

Concerto for Clarinet & Orchestra

Bartók

Concerto for Viola & Orchestra, op.posth.,

BB 128

Glière

Concerto in B-flat major for Horn & Orchestra, op.91

Korngold

Concerto in D major for Violin & Orchestra, op.35

Program Notes

Program 1

Conducted by Paul Dean

Mozart

Concerto in A Major for Clarinet and Orchestra, K.622 (1791)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

II. Adagio

III. Rondo: Allegro

Originally written for the now obsolete basset clarinet, this concerto combines exquisite lyricism with dark and intimate orchestration. The expressive capabilities of the clarinet are at its finest in the Adagio, with the resonant chalumeau register contrasting against pianissimo high notes. This leads to a playful Rondo, challenging in its technical capacity and dialogue between soloist and orchestra.

Vine Pipe Dreams: Concerto for Flute and Strings (2003)

Carl Vine (1954-)

Vine muses on many possibilities in his compositional statement “In a universe where all is possible, what might a flute dream?”. Pipe Dreams challenges the soloist with a shifting landscape of rhythmic convolution; brilliant gestural work, beautifully idiomatic to the instrument, transforms into longing phrases where the player may search for meaning. The form is moderate-slow-fast, with the final section a fiery challenge from the flute to the first violins to “keep up!”. Originally commissioned for Emmanuel Pahud and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Mendelssohn

Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra,

Op. 64 (1844)

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

I. Allegro molto appassionato

One of the most highly-regarded concertos for violin, the E minor concerto is a tour de force of the Romantic style. Atypical for the time and for the sonata form of this movement, the work opens with an effortless technical display by the soloist before the orchestra states the theme. The work remains technically challenging throughout, playing to the violin’s greatest strengths across a huge variety of complex passagework. The cadenza comes as a surprise, appearing early at the end of the development section and leading the orchestra into the recapitulation of the movement.

Beethoven

Concerto No. 3 in C Minor for Piano and Orchestra,

Op. 37 (1800)

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

III. Rondo: Allegro

Begun in 1800, this work seems to not have been fully finished by Beethoven until 1803, with Beethoven’s page turner noting that even the soloist’s part was incomplete on the page as it was premiered. It marks the lowest point in the composer’s life - his deafness and emotional turmoil during this time led to the famous Heiligenstadt Testament. The third movement, performed today, combines a sense of urgency and tension with orchestral intensity.

Program 2

Conducted by Peter Luff

Copland

Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (1949)

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

I. Slowly and expressively - Cadenza

II. Rather fast

The concerto opens with expansive lines that are lush without being too heavily orchestrated. The soloist floats through registers, dreamy and ethereal, with the primary challenge being to make these larger leaps feel effortless and well-balanced. Copland makes the unusual choice in this work to begin slowly, languorously; the music fades into existence almost as if watching the opening of a film, before moving into a cadenza that links the opening with the jazzier and more Latin-esque second half.

Bartók

Concerto for Viola and Orchestra,

Op. Posth., BB 128 (1945)

Béla Bartók (1881-1945)

II. Adagio religioso

III. Allegro vivace

Bartók was in the terminal stages of leukaemia when he wrote this work; he died leaving only sketches of the orchestration, with his close friend Tibor Serly finishing it for publication. The viola is an atypical soloists’ instrument, with this work commissioned by respected violist William Primrose who urged him to not “...feel in any way proscribed by the apparent technical limitations of the instrument”. In a letter responding to Primrose, Bartók wrote “Most probably some passages will prove to be uncomfortable or unplayable.” Uncomfortable perhaps—but as generations of violists have proven, not unplayable.

Glière

Concerto in B-flat Major for Horn and Orchestra, Op. 91 (1951)

Reinhold Glière (1875-1956)

II. Andante

III. Moderato - Allegro vivace

This work was written for Russian horn player Valery Polekh after Glière’s admiration of the horn section during rehearsals for his earlier tone poem, the Bronze Horseman. Polekh wrote after playing through the manuscript that “The composer put his whole heart, soul, talent, and great love for the instrument into it. I felt that the concerto would become a horn player’s favourite.” Glière demonstrates the tonal and technical capabilities of the instrument exquisitely. The movements played today contrast tender, emotive lyricism and the playful hunting calls of a horn at its finest.

Korngold

Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35 (1945)

Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)

I. Allegro moderato – Moderato assai

II. Canzonetta. Andante

III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo

Korngold’s Concerto in D came at the end of an enormously successful career in Hollywood, utilising themes from various film scores he had completed through the years. However, its dedication to Alma Mahler is a beautiful recollection to his earliest years, where at just ten years of age the precocious Korngold was dubbed a musical “genius” by Gustav Mahler. The work as a whole is flawlessly, unashamedly romantic, but at the same time frighteningly virtuosic.

Program notes by Dr Samuel Dickenson

� Artists

Paul Dean

Conductor, Program 1

Brisbane born and bred clarinetist Paul Dean is regarded as one of Australia’s foremost musicians in his multiple capacities as soloist, chamber musician, composer and artistic director. He currently holds positions as Head of Winds at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Co-Artistic Director of Ensemble Q and conductor of both the Queensland Youth Orchestra 2 and the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. Paul was the Artistic Director of the Four Winds Festival and the Tutti Beijing International Youth Music Festival and was also the founder of the Southern Cross Soloists, the Bangalow Music Festival, the Coramba Chamber Music Festival and the Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School. He held the position of Composer in Residence in 2019 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, featuring the world premieres of his clarinet concerto and violin concerto with Jack Liebeck as soloist. His Concerto for Cello and Wind Quintet was selected by Musica Viva to be performed by Ensemble Q with Trish Dean as soloist on their national tour in 2021.

Peter Luff Conductor, Program 2

Peter Luff is Head of Brass at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and Associate Professor in Horn and Brass studies. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium and a Master of Music in conducting from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU). Peter has conducted many orchestras and ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble, Bangalow Festival Orchestra, Brisbane Philharmonic, Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. Formerly Associate Principal Horn with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Peter has and continues to perform with orchestras and ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Southern Cross Soloists and is currently a member of QCGU ensemble in residence, Ensemble Q.

Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra

The Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra consists of approximately 90 of the most talented young instrumentalists in Queensland. The orchestra, from its home at the Griffith University South Bank campus, performs an annual series of orchestral concerts, large choral works, and operatic and musical theatre productions, in addition to a range of creative collaborations both on site as well as in the wider community. Students in the Queensland Conservatorium orchestral program have the unique opportunity to perform under the baton of a variety of conductors, instilling a flexibility required in the profession. Resident conductors Johannes Fritzsch, Peter Luff and Peter Morris are joined each year by distinguished guest conductors from around the world, providing students with the rich depth of experience they will find when entering the profession. Notable guest conductors have included Sir Neville Marriner, Peter Sculthorpe, Jessica Cottis, Nicholas Braithwaite, Natalia Raspopova, Larry Rachleff and Elim Chan, to name a few.

Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra

Paul Dean, conductor

Concertmaster

Miriam Niessl*

Violin 1

Kevin Hsu

Nai Shan

Dylan Weder

Julian Lachmund

Lydia Hwang

Sophia Di Lucchio

Liam Holbrook

Violin 2

Daisy Elliott*

Ingram Fan

Alan Leslie

Kezia Marvella

Chinsia Burns

Yvonne Spina

Guy Tomlinson

Imogen Revill

Viola

Ella Pysden*

Maddisyn Dixon Whitbourne

Rose-Ann Breedt

Felix Hughes Chivers

Eben Yeh

Contrabass

Charlotte Scanlan*

Sophia Buchanan

*Principal player

Violoncello

Kate Hwang*

Ai Hasegawa

Stirling Hall

Caleb Christian

Flute

Elinor Hillock*

Jennifer Pittock

Oboe

Shana Hoshino*

Jade Wolter

Clarinet

Lewis Blanchard*

Catherine Edwards

Bassoon

Christopher Buckley*

Georgina Sinclair

French Horn

Rhiannon Hurn*

Isabelle Raiz-Scanlon

Jude Austen Kaupe

Lauren Owens

Trumpet

Matthew Nash*

Tennyson Hall

Timpani

Dara Williams*

6:30pm Concert

Braden Simm, flute

Touring the state with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 2022 was the dawn of a growing orchestral career for Sir Samuel Griffiths Scholarship recipient Braden Simm. As an avid flautist and Bachelor of Music candidate, he has had expert tutelage from world class players Virginia Taylor and Alison Mitchell - refining his imaginative musicianship and artistry.

Recently appointed Principal Flute in Queensland Youth Symphony, Braden will be embarking on a 2023 tour to Europe and Singapore, performing in renowned and prestigious venues such as the Musikverein and the Brandenburg Theatre. Throughout his ensemble playing, he has participated in a wide genre of concert programs including, symphonic works, opera productions, and musicals with the Queensland Conservatorium’s Symphony Orchestra. Such concerts inspired an appreciation for these varied vessels of artistic expression, and the experience to bring these musical mediums to life. Braden has also performed with Associate Professor Paul Dean and Ensemble Q as part of the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program.

Nathanael Duffy, clarinet

Since age 8, QCQU Bachelor of Music candidate Nathanael Duffy has been captivated by the kaleidoscopic voice of the clarinet. A Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship recipient, he is guided by Australia’s brilliant clarinettist-composer Paul Dean, as well as Principal Clarinet of QSO Irit Silver.

Nathanael is a casual clarinettist with the QSO and has performed with Ensemble Q at the 2023 Opera at Jimbour festival and with the Australian Youth Orchestra for its 2023 Autumn Season. An avid chamber musician, he was principal clarinet for Queensland Ballet’s 2022 production of Peter and the Wolf and played in the 2022 Tyalgum Music Festival, performing Contrasts by Bela Bartok. He is looking forward to performing Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time alongside QCGU colleagues as part of the 2023 Australian Festival of Chamber Music Winterschool.

Oscar Matthews, piano

Oscar Matthews is a Brisbane-born aspiring classical pianist who is studying a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, under the tutelage of Daniel de Borah. Oscar began his piano studies at age 6 and has immersed himself in music ever since. He has performed as a soloist and in chamber ensembles in various venues, including at the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference and in St Andrews Church Brisbane. He has also performed as a guest artist with the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale and Brisbane Concert Orchestra and looks forward to performing Beethoven’s entire Third Concerto with the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra in July 2023. Oscar has participated in lessons and masterclasses with esteemed pianists Jayson Gillham, Piers Lane, Roy Howat and Mikhail Solovei. He obtained the Licentiate in Music (LMus A) diploma during high school and has won many awards from competitions including the Queensland Piano Competition.

Yuro Lee, violin

Yuro started playing the violin at the age of 7 years old, when her parents offered for her to play as they wanted her to improve her confidence on stage. She is currently 19 years old, and studies at the Queensland Conservatorium with Michele Walsh in second year of university. She attended St Peters Lutheran College and had opportunities to play as a soloist with orchestra, as well as with QKO and many instances when she played with piano accompaniment in front of a live audience. Last year, she also played the Mendelssohn Concerto with the Preston Symphony Orchestra in the Preston Youth Concerto Competition, where she received the Audience Prize. In July, she is excited to play the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante. Aside from playing solo repertoire and chamber music, Yuro enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra

Peter Luff, conductor

Concertmaster

Haneulle Lovell*

Violin 1

Luke Hammer

Noah Coyne

Kaia Scheidler

Madeleine Crosby

Amira Ryan

Jonathan Kositsin

Violin 2

Jonah Spriggs*

Rhys Williams

Alisha Dunstan

Melissa Buddle

Lauren Mellor

Mirage Hunter

Demecs

Ava Gilbert

Viola

Edmund Mantelli*

Olivia Spyrou

Jasmine Smith

Harriet Dykes

Oscar Nicholson

Contrabass

Deakin Darby*

Cooper Le Brocq

Alyssa Deacon

Violoncello

Mya Whatson*

Daniel Shearer

Ashley Sherlock

Faith Spriggs

Piccolo

Aaryn Wong*

Flute

Jenna Choi*

Neve Randall

Aaryn Wong

Oboe

Liam Robinson*

Tina Gallo

Cor Anglais

Tina Gallo*

Clarinet

Stephanie Tan*

Joshua Rosen*

Bass Clarinet

Hamish Cassidy*

Bassoon

Hayden Mears*

Jake Busby

French Horn

Patrick de Koster*

Matilda Monaghan

Emma Rolfe

Alec Berg Trumpet

May Eisenmenger*

Isabella Geeves*

Megan Barber

Tennyson Hall

Cooper Williams

Trombone

Tyler Jones-Brennan*

Jay Ghodke

Tuba

Jack Gawith-Wayling*

Timpani

Jessica Postle*

Percussion

Mikaela Thomsen*

Connor Dinneen*

Jaymee Homeming

Brayden Jealous

Harp

Jemma Telleman*

Piano

Mai-Lien Olsson*

*Principal player

8pm Concert

Angelina Kim, viola

Angelina Kim is an energetic young violist who brings passion and purpose to the stage. Guided by Head of Strings, Professor Michele Walsh at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Angelina has gained various opportunities to broaden her musical experiences. Her passion for chamber music began as a founding member of the Tarilindy String Quartet whom extensively performed nationally and internationally, received masterclasses from leading musicians such as the Australian String Quartet, Kristin Winther and collaborated with Griffith alumni, Katie Noonan. The quartet recently won the 4MBS Ross Peters Chamber Music Competition and worked with ANAM Head of Chamber and MSO concertmaster, Sophie Rowell for an Australian Youth Orchestra program. Besides her contribution to the quartet, she has appeared as a 2023 Featured Young Artist for Ensemble Q, worked with virtuosic soloist and chamber musician, Daniel De Borah and was awarded first prize of 2022 John Curro Viola Prize. Since 2022, she has been an active member of the Australian Youth Orchestra and is looking forward to the Queensland Youth Orchestra international tour later this year.

Daniel Hill Almeida, French Horn

Daniel Hill Almeida is an emerging French horn player originating from Perth, Australia. Having received a Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship to study at Griffith University in 2020, Daniel graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 2022, and is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium. During his time at university, Daniel has studied under the world-renowned tutelage of Assoc. Prof. Peter Luff, Ysolt Clark, and Malcolm Stewart. He has also honed his skills through lessons and masterclasses with some of the world’s most esteemed horn players, such as the Berliner Philharmoniker’s principal horn, Stefan Dohr, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s former principal horn, Ben Jacks. Daniel’s passion for orchestral and chamber music has culminated in several appearances with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, including in The Planets, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and was one of the featured artists at the Tyalgum Music Festival in 2022.

Theoni Wang, violin

Theonie Wang commenced playing the violin at age 3 learning from her aunty, Fong Fong Watson. Currently in her third year at the Queensland Conservatorium, she has been studying with Michele Walsh since 2018. Her recent highlights include performing in a masterclass for Guy Braunstien (former Berlin Philharmonic Concertmaster) and, as part of the Tarilindy String Quartet, masterclasses with the Australian String Quartet, Flinders String Quartet, Matthew Jones (Guildhall Professor) and Jinjoo Cho (McGill Professor). Last year, her quartet was selected to perform in Montreal, Canada for the International Chamber Music Festival, ‘Musical Chairs’.

Theonie is a long-standing member of the Australian Youth Orchestra and has been accepted into their Seasons, Chamber Players and National Music Camp programs this year. In 2020, Theonie was awarded first prize for the Young Instrumentalists Prize, allowing her to perform as a soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Josephine Daniel, clarinet

Josephine Daniel is in her third year at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the tutelage of renowned clarinetist and composer, Paul Dean. She is a recipient of the University’s Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

Josephine was awarded Third Place from a field of twenty-seven Australian and international instrumentalists in the 2022 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition. She has performed as soloist with the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra and is a casual clarinetist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She was accepted into the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp where she played as Principal Eb Clarinet.

Josephine has received lessons and masterclasses from esteemed clarinetists throughout Australia and New Zealand and has played in collaborations with Queensland’s premier ensemble, Ensemble Q. She has been a member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra for seven years and during her time at the Queensland Conservatorium, has appeared as principal clarinet for the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and Principal Eb for the Conservatorium Wind Orchestra. When she’s not practising the clarinet, Josephine loves swimming and playing piano.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.

Philanthropy plays a vital role at Queensland Conservatorium. Only through your support can our students experience valuable learning opportunities through productions such as this one. To invest in the future of music and performance in Queensland, contact us on +61 (0)7 5552 7218 or email giving@griffith.edu.au

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Queensland Conservatorium thanks our generous donors and supporters. We would like to acknowledge our instrument bank donors supporting the students in tonight’s performance.

Queensland Conservatorium

Director

Professor Bernard Lanskey

Deputy Director (Engagement)

Associate Professor Peter Morris

Deputy Director (Research)

Dr Alexis Kallio

Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching)

Associate Professor Donna Weston

Conservatorium Manager

Stuart Jones

Technical Manager

Cameron Hipwell

Front of House Operations Manager

Michael Hibbard

Operations Administrator

Clare Wharton

Ensembles Administrator

Daniel Fossi

Technical Officers

Keith Clark, Amy Hauser, Len McPherson

Queensland Conservatorium

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