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For its 50th year, the SSO is focusing its 2019 program on a central theme: the music of celebration through the ages. The program opens with a nod to history – the Classical and Romantic periods of music – but critically, the year is about celebrating the future of the SSO and another inspired 50 years ahead.
Buy a subscription to our 2019 season for great discounts and your choice of Saturday or Sunday concerts.
Classical – 6 or 7 April
The Romantics – 29 or 30 June
The Big 5-0 – 21 or 22 September
The Future – 23 or 24 November
Pricing:
Adult $100 (save $20)
Concession $70 (save $10)
Saturday 6 April, 7pm Sunday 7 April, 2.30pm
We think that turning 50 qualifies us for amateur orchestra royalty, so we are kicking off our birthday year in regal style with Handel’s Zadok the Priest, performed in celebration of every English coronation since 1727. The classical celebration continues with Haydn’s Symphony no.104 (“The London”) and his popular Trumpet Concerto. Finally, Prokoviev’s Classical Symphony which he wrote in the style of Haydn.
Joining us for this classical celebration concert will be our long-time collaborators, the wonderful Excelsia Choir.
Strathfield Symphony has always focused on providing opportunities to our own players, so our own principal trumpet Matthew Gately, will be our trumpet solo.
Saturday 29th June, 7pm Sunday 30th June, 2.30pm
Is there any greater celebratory work than the 1812 Overture? We think not! How will we fit the cannons into the Town Hall? You will have to be there to find out.
Although technically pushing the boundaries of romanticism, William Walton’s Viola concerto joins the program. A tribute to our fantastic viola section who boast the highest percentage of volunteers that help keep the orchestra running (our treasurer, secretary, vice president and concert caterer are all violas!).
The Saint-Säens’ Organ Symphony has long been on our list of works we would love to perform, but we have been limited by our lack of organ. Thankfully, we have found an organ we can hire and we have finally been able to program this fantastic work. The inclusion of this symphony represents Strathfield Symphony’s dedication to exploring repertoire less often performed by amateur orchestras.
We are joined at this concert by viola soloist Lisa Sung, currently of Juilliard, and our regular collaborator Na Ri Kim on organ.
Saturday 21st September, 7pm Sunday 22nd September, 2.30pm
It’s the big 5-0! Our gala concert to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Strathfield Symphony’s formation in 1969. The founding conductor of Strathfield Symphony, the late Richard Gill was planning on returning to conduct the second half of this program, so we are presenting this concert in his honour.
Elena Kats-Chernin’s Redmyre suite was commissioned by Strathfield Symphony to celebrate our 40th birthday, so we wanted to play it again 10 years later. A Strathfield celebration would not be complete without a work from our long-time collaborator, soloist, composer and local resident Miriam Hyde – what better choice than the Happy Occasion Overture? We threw in Khachaturian’s Spartacus to keep the cellos happy.
Finally, we will finish the concert with Beethoven’s Symphony No.7. Selected by Richard Gill as the work he wanted to conduct with us, it was going to complete some unfinished business. Richard Gill conducted the Symphony with Strathfield in the 1970s, but only one movement. We will perform the whole symphony in his honour.
Saturday 23rd November, 7pm Sunday 24th November, 2.30pm
50 is the new 30! Strathfield Symphony at 50 years young is looking towards the next 50 years. We come together and perform through a love of music, collaboration and community.
This concert is all about a bigger and better future and you can’t get much bigger than Mahler’s Symphony No.5.
And just because that doesn’t give the brass nearly enough to do, we will introduce the concert with Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.
Onwards and upwards!
Strathfield Symphony Orchestra 