Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto

MASTERS SERIES

Friday 8 & Saturday 9 March 2024, 7.30pm

Perth Concert Hall

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West Australian Symphony Orchestra respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and Elders of Country throughout Western Australia, and the Whadjuk Noongar people on whose lands we work and share music.

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Asher Fisch | Principal Conductor

Welcome

Returning to Perth to work with my magnificent Orchestra is always a joy, and I am thrilled to embark on another musical journey this year with them and with you.

Our 2024 season is a celebration of exceptional musical talent, and we are thrilled to showcase soloists from within our Orchestra and to welcome outstanding local, international and Australian guests. Our WASO soloists this year include Concertmaster Laurence Jackson, Principal Flute Andrew Nicholson, Principal Clarinet Allan Meyer and Acting Principal Trumpet Jenna Smith. You may also recognise some new faces on the stage this year who have recently passed their trials and become permanent members of the orchestra, including Associate Principal Clarinet Som Howie, Associate Principal Horn Eve McEwen, Tutti Double Basses Robin Brawley and Giovanni Vinci as well as Tutti Violin William Huxtable. We congratulate them on joining the WASO ranks and wish them all the best for a wonderful career. I’m also delighted to continue working with Jen Winley in her new role as WASO’s Associate Conductor and proud and excited to witness her continuing artistic development.

In our final year at the Perth Concert Hall before its redevelopment, we wanted to share works of scale to revel in and showcase its wonderful acoustics. I’m thrilled to perform the works of Strauss, Wagner, Brahms, Mozart and of course Mahler’s iconic Eighth, the ‘Symphony of a Thousand’. I’m also excited to return to the piano and microphone to host an exploration of the music of one of the most revered figures of Western music in Discover: Beethoven, and pleased to share the news that we will now complete our 2024 season in the Perth Concert Hall. In 2024 WASO continues its proud and longstanding commitment to the performance of new work with world premieres by Lachlan Skipworth, Holly Harrison, James Ledger and WASO Composer in Residence Olivia Davies, and this evening I share the stage with Noongar composer/conductor Aaron Wyatt as he presents his new work The Coming Dawn.

With old favourites, bold undertakings and new experiences, there is so much to explore in our 2024 season. Thank you for supporting this wonderful orchestra and I look forward to sharing our big bold musical journey together.

Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts.

Six WASO concerts added to Perth Concert Hall season

Perth Concert Hall will now remain open for the rest of 2024, so all October and November classical performances, previously at Winthrop Hall, have been moved to Perth Concert Hall.

We encourage you to explore the season of Mozart and Brahms and secure your seats now. Book online or contact our friendly box office on 9326 0000.

Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto

Aaron WYATT The Coming Dawn (7 mins)

Sergei RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No.3 (39 mins)
Allegro ma non tanto
Intermezzo (Adagio) –
Finale (Alla breve)


Interval (25 mins)

Richard STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben (40 mins)
Der Held
Des Helden Widersacher
Des Helden Gefährtin
Des Helden Walstatt
Des Helden Friedenswerke
Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung

Asher Fisch conductor
Yeol Eum Son
piano
Aaron Wyatt
conductor
Richard Walley
didgeridoo

Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts. First Nations Creative Collaborations are supported by the Bendat Family Foundation.

Wesfarmers Arts Pre-concert Talk
Find out more about the music in the concert with this week’s speaker, Tim White. The Pre-concert Talk will take place at 6.45pm in the Terrace Level Foyer.

Listen to WASO
This performance is recorded for broadcast on ABC Classic. For further details visit abc.net.au/classic

Did you know?

Rachmaninov composed his first piano concerto when he was just 18 years old.

Rachmaninov had possibly the largest hands in classical music, which is why some of his pieces are fiendishly difficult for less well-endowed performers. He could span 12 piano keys from the tip of his little finger to the tip of his thumb.

Rachmaninov had a passion for fast cars - and later speedboats. He was the first in his neighbourhood to have an automobile.

Richard Strauss wrote his first composition at aged six.

Aaron Wyatt's work was originally arranged for string quartet, digeridoo and vibraphone.

Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concert featured in the movie Shine

Yeol Eum Son's Viral Performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.21

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About the Artists

About the Artists

About the Artists

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Aaron Wyatt
Composer / Conductor

Aaron is an accomplished violist, conductor, composer, programmer and academic. He is currently assistant lecturer of classical performance at Monash University in Melbourne and director of Ensemble Dutala, Australia’s first First Nations chamber ensemble founded by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon. He has toured with the Decibel new music ensemble as both a player, and programmer of the group’s animated graphic notation software for the iPad.

As a conductor, Aaron has been nominated for a Helpmann Award for his role in the premiere season of Cat Hope’s opera, Speechless, and became the first Indigenous Australian to lead one of the state orchestras with the MSO. Aaron has since led the ASO, SSO, and conducted the premieres of Gina Williams’ and Guy Ghouse’s Koolbardi Wer Wardong and Wundig Wer Wilura with West Australian Opera.

As a composer, he participated in the Ngarra-Burria First Peoples program for Ensemble Offspring and has written a number of electro-acoustic works for Decibel, GreyWing Ensemble and Ensemble Dutala.

About the Artists

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Dr Richard Walley OAM
Didgeridoo

Richard is a champion of Whadjuk and Noongar people, sharing his profound knowledge of language, cultural practices and historic injustices – cultivating a deeper respect and recognition of Aboriginal culture.

A musician, performer and artist, Richard’s designs adorn jerseys in the Indigenous rounds of sporting events, and he is often creatively involved with local festivals and events.

Richard reinvigorated the practice of the modern-day Welcome To Country in Noongar Country, a ceremony that is now commonplace across Australia. He sits on multiple committees and is a consultant to both government and corporate agencies where he is engaged to provide cultural advice for major projects. Richard’s expertise is also sought out by the private sector to provide Welcome to Country, undertake cultural awareness training and advise on Indigenous affairs.

Richard has received numerous honours including an Order of Australia, Honorary Doctorate, and WA Citizen Of The Year.

About the Music

About the Music

About the Music

About WASO

Your Concert Experience

Meet the Musician

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Community Engagement

Philanthropy

Our Supporters

2024 Trusts and Foundations

Lead Partner of Crescendo

Crescendo / Hospital Orchestra Project

First Nations Creative Collaborations / Composition Project

Associate Conductor Program

About the Speaker

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Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts.

Fri 15 & Sat 16 March 2024, 7.30pm
Perth Concert Hall

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