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The name of this said it all – and that was all that was needed to lure the classical music faithful to Robert Blackwood Hall for the first of three concerts (the others being at Hamer Hall on Saturday and Monday). For the most part, concert-goers would have been satisfied, with a program designed to please: Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and then his Violin Concerto, with Tchaikovsky’s great Symphony No.5 after interval. If there was not as good a ‘fit’ between orchestra and conductor as in other recent concerts, this could be explained by Branwell Tovey being a visitor – in Australia between engagements in Vancouver and Los Angeles – with his own views on interpretation, and particularly tempi in the Tchaikovsky. The ‘whole body’ style of conducting is popular with many conductors – but Tovey’s idiosyncratic left kick was slightly alarming as it threatened to connect with violinists in the front desk! The Egmont Overture, with its opening declaratory statements and recognisable melody, is a good work to begin, and set the stage for the major works to follow. Chief of these was the violin concerto, Beethoven’s only one for this instrument – and symphonic in its scale and structure. Indeed the orchestra dominated the first movement, and not just because of the scoring. It provided the richness of sound and depth of feeling that is the essence of Beethoven’s greatness. One hopes the solo instrument will soar above this mass of sound and establish a commanding presence. On this occasion German violinist Christian Tetzlaff established a sweetness of tone but his performance was flawed by a tentative approach and an occasional wrong note in the runs. In the light of this, I felt the choice of cadenza was overly ambitious. The transition from the second to the third movement was everything an audience could hope for, and soloist and orchestra carried the work through to its satisfying conclusion. And Tovey made a good choice with his elegant, simple encore. As for the Tchaikovsky, this was music at which the MSO excels – as a whole group and showcasing its polished sections and soloists. You felt like applauding at the end of the first movement – almost a symphony in itself, with its several subjects, contrasts and rich harmonies. But the thunderous applause was, of course, to come later. For more information about upcoming MSO performances go to www.mso.com.au

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Events Calendar

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  • July 2022

Calendar of Events

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1 event, 27

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

The next generation of Australia’s chamber music stars. Program Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Joseph Haydn String Quartet Op.76/4 ‘Sunrise’ Béla Bartók String…

$40 – $50

1 event, 28

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

A commanding, trailblazing oboist at the top of her musical game. In this concert, Diana Doherty unites with pianist Bernadette Harvey…

$49 – $115

0 events, 29

1 event, 30

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 2

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

lMelbourne Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra, organ and soloists, conducted by Rick Prakhoff A programme of works on the theme of…

$25 – $40

0 events, 3

1 event, 4

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

About Duo Eclettico Award-winning Duo Eclettico explore the wealth of repertoire available for their unique combination of instruments – saxophone and…

$40 – $50

1 event, 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

Tracing the piano’s metamorphosis through time. About the artists Stephanie McCallum has become renowned for a pianistic practice based on refined…

$40 – $50

1 event, 6

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

Unrivaled energy and spontaneity inspired by the notion of destiny. About Arcadia Winds Arcadia Winds are trailblazers for Australian wind music,…

$30 – $37

1 event, 7

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

From brooding to vibrant with Brahms’s sonatas for cello and piano. About Kristian Chong & Friends Kristian Chong and Friends is…

$40 – $50

0 events, 8

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1 event, 12

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

A uniquely moving experience in celebration of women. About the artists The Parlour focuses on the sung storytelling of Art Song…

$30 – $37

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June 27
June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 28
June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

  • There are no events on this day.
June 30
June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1
July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 2
July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

  • There are no events on this day.
July 4
July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 5
July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 6
July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

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July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

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