New

I knew they were gathering a few ensembles including an ANU orchestra and I was interested in the outcome and particularly interested in a free concert on a free evening playing Sibelius.  I am playing Sibelius Symph 2 and it's not easy, so Symph 1 was an object of fascination, with several ideas shared between the two, like long busy passages and off-time busy bass and quick lines leading to sitting tones and some quite demanding, delicate intros.  In the end, we heard all but mvt 3 but it was indicative.  Also impressive was the opener, a few selections from Berloz Romeo and Juliet.  Again quite virtuosic at times.  And a short and lovely piece by Sally Greenaway, but that got interrupted for me by latecomers mulling  for seats, sadly.  Also sadly, Sally didn't get the invitation in time to attend.  This is a young orchestra, although as I understand, not just ANUSOM students, if the general age bracket suggest many are.  Maybe others are current students in other areas.  But other than conductor Max McBride, they were young although perfectly capable.  I was stunned by some passages and mightily impressed overall.  Maybe not a pro-orchestra - yet - but clearly on the way.  It was not an easy program and the performance was admirable.  So, I enjoyed this one.

The ANU Orchestra performed Berlioz, Greenaway and Sibelius under Max McBride (conductor) in Llewellyn Hall.