ACO Collective: The Lark Ascending

Directed by Helena Rathbone

With its soaring melodies and joyful trills, Ralph Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending creates a radiant portrait of a lark in flight, trailing a silver chain of sound as it rises. ACO Collective performs this eternal favourite as the centrepiece of this uplifting program directed by ACO Principal Violin Helena Rathbone.

The program spans five centuries, from Henry Purcell’s Fantazia upon One Note to Max Richter’s cinematic On the Nature of Daylight. Continuing its commitment to fostering Australian voices, ACO Collective will premiere Falling Upward, a new commission by award-winning Australian composer Anne Cawrse, sought after for her appealing, approachable sound. The second half of the program features Suk’s glowing Serenade for Strings. Inspired by Dvořák and Brahms, it is the sound of pure happiness.

Helena Rathbone has guided ACO Collective since its founding in 2007, offering audiences across the country the opportunity to hear Australia’s brightest young musicians in concert alongside members of the ACO. Join us for this stunning performance which is sure to set your heart aflight.

Hugo Wolf Italian Serenade

Max Richter On the Nature of Daylight

Henry Purcell Fantasia upon One Note

Anne Cawrse Falling Upward (World Premiere)*

Ralph Vaughan Williams (arr. Adam Johnson) The Lark Ascending

Interval (20 mins)

Josef Suk Serenade for Strings

Wojciech Kilar Orawa