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Chinese New Year for all

by Suzanne Yanko 21st January, 2014
by Suzanne Yanko 21st January, 2014

One month after the last day of our calendar year, 31 January is the first day of Chinese New Year. In 2014 it’s the Year of the Horse,  a welcome year, with TravelChina Guide describing the spirit of the horse as “energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able.”

“People born in the year of the horse always want to be in the limelight, “ says the Guide. “They like entertainment and large crowds.” That’s fortuitous, as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is celebrating with a Chinese New Year Celebration – at Hamer Hall on 7 February.

It’s a week after Chinese New Year begins as people may still be away or (more importantly) have family commitments, for example the all-important family dinner on the eve of the first day. This would apply equally to the guest conductor, Tan Dun. The famous Chinese composer was in Melbourne last year to conduct the MSO in his Martial Arts Trilogy, including the acclaimed music for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Andre Gremillet, Managing Director of the MSO, says the concept of a Chinese New Year concert was not new, as many cities throughout the world had such a celebration. Encouraged by new Board Member David Lee and others, Gremillet was able to move forward quickly with the proposal. “It’s very exciting, there’s a strong level of support and enthusiasm for the concert”, Gremillet said.

“It’s more than concert: it’s a cultural event”, he continued. “It’s really showcasing Melbourne and the great cosmopolitan city it is. So it’s a celebration for all Melbournians – not just the Chinese community.”

The program is exciting, comprising two works by Tan Dun: Concerto for String Orchestra and Pipa (soloist) and The Triple Resurrection – inspired by Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Tan Dun has said that Wagner’s “powerful orchestral drama” deeply affected him as a composer and Triple Resurrection is the fourth and final concerto in the Martial Arts Trilogy, composed as a salute to Wagner.

The program also includes Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor
 and selections from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev. Soloists are Lu Siqing violin, 
 Xie Yudan pipa, 
David Berlin cello and
 Adoria Li piano.

Gremillet points out that Tan Dun’s music itself crosses boundaries, making him “a wonderful person to bridge both cultures”. The program has wide appeal, not just to classical aficionados, he says. It may even lay the ground for an annual celebration.

“Melbourne deserves a Chinese New year Concert”, says Gremillet. “We’re very proud of our Chinese community in Melbourne and proud of Australia’s role in China, in Asia.

“And I don’t think there’s a better way to communicate with each other than through music,” he concludes.

Chinese New Year Celebration is on Friday, 7 February 2014 6:30pm at Hamer Hall.

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Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

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11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

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7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

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$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

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1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

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3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

Free
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56

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2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

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Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

$20 – $35
August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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  • There are no events on this day.
August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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August 20
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Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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