Take a musical journey from Vienna to Paris to Broadway with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra in a vibrant concert featuring internationally renowned Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi, and the premiere of a new work.
The overture to Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II provides a delightfully effervescent opening to the evening, skilfully weaving the colourful themes and wit presented in the operetta. The orchestra will be joined by the phenomenal Simon Tedeschi, as soloist in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.
Tedeschi is familiar to many in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains through recitals and his performances are invariably popular with local audiences.
Bursting onto the scene as a winner of the Young Performer of the Year Award, he enjoys an enviable international career, performing with a diverse range of musicians, including soprano Yvonne Kenny and Jazz great James Morrison. Tedeschi has given a private recital for the iconic Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and famously acted as Geoffrey Rush’s hands in the Oscar winning film Shine.
George Gershwin wrote his piano concerto immediately following the smash hit success of his equally famous Rhapsody in Blue. It features the same excitement and urgent vitality, with toe tapping rhythms and a blues infused sound exploring a fusion of jazz and broadway with the classical concerto.
The orchestra will premiere a new work, Train Window by West Australian Alex Turley, who is the 2017 recipient of PSO’s Young Composer Award. As the title suggests, the piece explores the imagery and scene framed by a moving train window, translated to an orchestral soundscape with its subtle textural possibilities.
“I'm so excited that I've been selected as the 2017 recipient of the PSO Young Composer Award.” said Turley.
The orchestra, which regularly champions the work of emerging composers and performers, is equally thrilled to perform this evocative piece.
The concert closes with selections from Bizet’s Carmen Suites, a colourful and varied work based on the opera of the same name. The Carmen Suites demonstrate the power and diversity of the orchestra and its members paint the unique sound world, evoking the story and drama of the full opera.
Paul Terracini, PSO’s Artistic Director, will conduct this performance, which begins at 8pm on Saturday, October 28, at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith. There is also a free pre-concert talk by the conductor at 7.20pm. ,
Tickets, from $28 to $60, are available at the box office of The Joan, on 4723 7600 or online at www.thejoan.com.au, or at the door. Tickets are selling strongly, so book now to avoid missing out.