ON DON JUAN
One of Strauss' most renowned tone poems, Don Juan, presented a challenge for the orchestra, with many famous audition excerpts found within this passionate piece. Putting these famously difficult passages into context, and gaining experience of the whole work proved to be very rewarding for all players. Briger encouraged us to explore the character of Don Juan and the representations of his lovers in the work by intensifying dynamics and tension in the piece. I was lucky enough to work on the iconic oboe solo, where Briger encouraged me to think of the character the melody portrayed, who allegedly has red hair, rather than just the notes on the page. This helped me to put a story behind my playing, and I felt that this improved my performance of the solo.
One of Strauss' most renowned tone poems, Don Juan, presented a challenge for the orchestra, with many famous audition excerpts found within this passionate piece. Putting these famously difficult passages into context, and gaining experience of the whole work proved to be very rewarding for all players. Briger encouraged us to explore the character of Don Juan and the representations of his lovers in the work by intensifying dynamics and tension in the piece. I was lucky enough to work on the iconic oboe solo, where Briger encouraged me to think of the character the melody portrayed, who allegedly has red hair, rather than just the notes on the page. This helped me to put a story behind my playing, and I felt that this improved my performance of the solo.
The technical difficulty of the piece for the orchestra provided challenging material that pushed the boundaries of our abilities, but proved to be very rewarding in the end. Performing this piece is highly beneficial for our futures as musicians, because we can apply our knowledge of the piece to future performances.
ON FOUR LAST SONGS AND CHERYL BARKER AO
Rehearsing and performing with the internationally acclaimed soprano, Cheryl Barker, was such an exciting opportunity. Her vibrant personality was inspiring, and she encouraged us all throughout the rehearsal process with her smile and her kind words. Four Last Songs is such a beautiful work and Cheryl's stunning voice was perfect for the solo part. Working with such an accomplished singer was a memorable experience for us all.
ON FOUR LAST SONGS AND CHERYL BARKER AO
Rehearsing and performing with the internationally acclaimed soprano, Cheryl Barker, was such an exciting opportunity. Her vibrant personality was inspiring, and she encouraged us all throughout the rehearsal process with her smile and her kind words. Four Last Songs is such a beautiful work and Cheryl's stunning voice was perfect for the solo part. Working with such an accomplished singer was a memorable experience for us all.
ON DER ROSENKAVALIER AND OPERA
Collaborating with the professional singers for the excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier was such an incredible opportunity for young musicians like ourselves, as we caught a glimpse into working in an operatic environment. This experience is very different from normal orchestral playing and requires skills including listening and adapting to the soloists, because, as Briger taught us, "no opera performance is the same. It's different every night", and small nuances or tempo fluctuations can change between every playing.
This practise of flexibility and focus enables us to go out into a professional environment and apply these learned skills. Listening and seeing how the soloists worked with each other on stage was inspiring, and it is not often that young musicians have the opportunity to work on an opera with professional singers.
Collaborating with the professional singers for the excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier was such an incredible opportunity for young musicians like ourselves, as we caught a glimpse into working in an operatic environment. This experience is very different from normal orchestral playing and requires skills including listening and adapting to the soloists, because, as Briger taught us, "no opera performance is the same. It's different every night", and small nuances or tempo fluctuations can change between every playing.
This practise of flexibility and focus enables us to go out into a professional environment and apply these learned skills. Listening and seeing how the soloists worked with each other on stage was inspiring, and it is not often that young musicians have the opportunity to work on an opera with professional singers.
ON RICHARD GILL AO, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Dedicating the performance to Richard Gill was so fitting given his work with SYO and young people in general. Many members of the orchestra, including myself, had the honour of working with Richard and being endlessly inspired by his animated personality and his extensive knowledge. His musical genius and entertaining way of educating meant that all were absolutely captured by his presence in whatever he was doing.
Losing Richard Gill is a terrible tragedy for the music world, but his legacy lives on within so many, including the members of Sydney Youth Orchestra who performed in his memory at the Strauss Concert.
Dedicating the performance to Richard Gill was so fitting given his work with SYO and young people in general. Many members of the orchestra, including myself, had the honour of working with Richard and being endlessly inspired by his animated personality and his extensive knowledge. His musical genius and entertaining way of educating meant that all were absolutely captured by his presence in whatever he was doing.
Losing Richard Gill is a terrible tragedy for the music world, but his legacy lives on within so many, including the members of Sydney Youth Orchestra who performed in his memory at the Strauss Concert.
