Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: A Reflection in Time

Symphonic powerhouses

The twentieth century produced some of the most passionate and dramatic music ever written. MSO Principal Conductor Benjamin Northey joins forces with Australian violin wunderkind Christian Li to deliver this riveting program of symphonic powerhouses.

• Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, the composer’s best-known work, is perhaps the ultimate tearjerker. With its sensitively drawn melodies and hauntingly ethereal sound, the Adagio is the epitome of sorrow, tenderness and comfort.
• In 1945, Austrian-born composer Erich Korngold was the most celebrated Hollywood film composer alive. But having grown up composing in the concert halls of Europe, he yearned to return to his roots. Korngold’s resulting Violin Concerto won instant acclaim for its lush harmonies and memorable melodies drawn from his movie scores written in the 1930s.
• Shostakovich composed his scintillating Fifth Symphony as a musical apology to Stalin after being denounced by the dictator. While Shostakovich scored top marks for seemingly embracing Soviet ideals, Symphony No.5 is, in fact, an enigmatic work laden with irony, musical code and resistance. It remains one of the composer’s most popular works due to its power and depth.

Duration: approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes including interval

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Northey conductor
Christian Li* violin

*MSO Young Artist in Association

Barber Adagio for Strings
Korngold Violin Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No.5

Thursday 12 June 2025 7:30pm at Hamer Hall

Friday 13 June 2025 7:30pm at Hamer Hall Relaxed performance

Saturday 14 June 2025 7:30pm at Hamer Hall

TICKETS: Standard $75-$139; Concession $70-$134; Child (under 18) $20

Relaxed Performance: General Admission

$35 Standard / $30 Concession