David Hirschfelder has reimagined three of his iconic film scores
BY LILY BRYANT If you’re a fan of Australian film, chances are you’ve heard the timeless scores of Oscar-nominated composer David Hirschfelder. With credits like […]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
How Foley artists use coconuts, buckets, and veggies to create the sounds of cinema
BY LILY BRYANT Picture a concerto soloist out the front of an orchestra. What image comes to mind? Perhaps they’re wearing a flashy tux, or […]
Shorter concerts are making classical music more accessible
BY CHRISTOPHER LEON Relaxed performances are gaining popularity because they turn a formal, classical concertgoing experience into one that’s more casual and inviting to those […]
How concertmaster Natalie Chee navigates leadership and performance roles in the orchestra
BY CHRISTOPHER LEON From working memory to maths and creativity, music-making can stimulate an enormous amount of the brain’s resources — and it can feel […]
Andrew Aronowicz used folklore as inspiration for his new music
BY MIRANDA ILCHEF Composer Andrew Aronowicz and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra go way back. Over a decade ago, Andrew was first selected to take part […]
In conversation with Nicholas McCarthy, left-handed pianist and champion of the repertoire
BY MIRANDA ILCHEF Nicholas McCarthy is clearly passionate about his job. He speaks with an animated, open-faced delight while discussing his upcoming Australian debut with […]
Demons and ghosts face an epic battle in Australia’s haunting new concerto
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE, CHRISTOPHER LEON In a normal concerto, the soloist will begin with a familiar routine. “You come on, you shake hands with the […]
“Brokenness and healing”: Liza Lim shares the inspiration behind her new cello concerto
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE In the Japanese art of kintsugi, a broken piece of pottery is not discarded, but instead repaired with precious materials. Chipped edges […]
In conversation with Chloe Chua, soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1979. It’s the flagship orchestra for a country of around six million people. It’s been […]
Classical music is not isolated from politics. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra should know this
BY PETER TREGEAR, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, THE CONVERSATION The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) announced it was an error to cancel a scheduled concerto performance […]