Zelman Symphony Orchestra: From the Old World to the New

Czech composer Dvořák spent many years in the United States, reflected in his American Suite. Whilst there, he encouraged a new generation of US composers. Samuel Barber was one – his heartfelt Adagio for Strings will be followed by his Canzonetta for Oboe. At short notice, we are delighted to have Thomas Hutchinson, Associate Principal Oboe at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as soloist. A graduate of ANAM and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, he will also perform the Oboe Concerto by another Czech composer, Martinů, who was forced to flee to the States during World War II. It was written for Czech-Australian oboist Jiří Tancibudek for the opening of Melbourne’s Olympic Games in 1956.

We are proud to present a premiere work by a young Australian composer, Chris Pickering, the Zelman Symphony – Melbourne University Emerging Composer for 2018.

We end this evening back in the Old World with Dvořák’s lyrical Symphony No.8 which was inspired by Czech folk music.

Program:
Dvořák – American Suite
Barber – Adagio for Strings
Barber – Canzonetta for Oboe & Strings
Martinů – Oboe Concerto
Chris Pickering – The Straightened Arrow
Dvořák – Symphony No.8