2019 Chancellor’s Concert
Launching the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Semester One concert program, the 2019 Chancellor’s Concert pairs Dvořák’s life affirming Symphony No. 8 with Rachmaninov’s symphonic Piano Concerto No. 3 for a spectacular night in Verbrugghen Hall. Led by the conductor Roger Benedict, the SCM Symphony Orchestra will also perform a brilliant work by current Conservatorium composition student, Christine Pan.
For composer Christine, she’s most proud of the fact this isn’t a premiere of her piece, Kamikaze - Wind of the Divine. “My work, that I’ve put so much effort into, is getting recognised and played more than once.” As a composer, this is a new chapter for Christine and things are starting to pick up momentum. “I am starting to solidify my sound and I want orchestral music and large ensemble music to define me as a composer and become my niche. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”
Inspired by a visit to the Samurai Museum during a recent trip to Japan, Christine’s work was influenced by the beauty and honour in the Japanese culture. “I came across an amazing piece of history, the ‘kamikaze’, which helped to preserve the samurai culture”.
The piece isn’t about war, it’s about how the Japanese samurai had strong faith and hope, and then the divine answered. It’s a story about karma, and perseverance.
Solo pianist Ricker Chan will take on Rachmaninov’s fiendishly difficult third piano concerto, written as a vehicle for its composer’s prodigious talent as a pianist. The piece is composed on a grand scale, with the orchestra sharing the limelight throughout. Dvořák’s 8th symphony overflows with effortlessly beautiful melody and is masterfully orchestrated by a composer at the peak of his powers.
This concert marks Roger Benedict’s first concert as the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra’s new Chief Conductor. Roger brings extensive experience to the role, not only as a principal violist and conductor with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, but through his work with the emerging professional musicians of the Sydney Symphony Fellowship Program and Australian Youth Orchestra.
Friday 15 March 7:00pm
Adult $25 | Concession $15 | Student $15
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