Concerto Concert - with UQ Symphony Orchestra

The University of Queensland Symphony Orchestra presents an inspiring celebration of the next generation of Australian classical musicians. Under Professor Paul Dean’s direction, the UQSO brings the full range of its orchestral colour and energy to support remarkable young artists in their concerto debuts. The concert opens with Weber’s virtuosic Clarinet Concerto No. 1, followed by Mendelssohn’s much-loved Violin Concerto. The last two songs from Mahler’s deeply moving Kindertotenlieder then conclude the first half with an intimate and profound emotional intensity. Following the interval are two more luminous and soloistic works; Walton’s Viola Concerto and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. The full UQSO concludes the concert with one of the most recognisable orchestral works of all time: Ravel’s Boléro. From its deceptively simple opening rhythm, the music builds inexorably as instruments are added one by one, culminating in an exhilarating explosion of orchestral sound.

With a heritage stretching back more than eight decades, the UQ Symphony Orchestra continues to play an important role in Queensland’s musical life, bringing together exceptional young instrumentalists and providing them with the experience of performing major orchestral repertoire at the highest level. This concert celebrates that tradition and UQ School of Music’s exceptional young talent.