Old World/New World

Old World/New World (3.0/5)

Sydney Symphony

(Conductor: Richard Gill, Tenor: Roy Best [operettas], Violin: Dene Olding [Remote-Ecstatic-Remote])
The Domain, Sydney.

24^th January 2009

(Part 1: Jet-Stream [Stanhope], Lite Speed [Hindson], Elevator Music [Koehne], Remote-Ecstatic-Remote [Edwards], Cudmirrah Fanfare [Westlake], Colonial Song [Grainger].

Part 2: New World Symphony 1^st movement [Dovřák], three songs from operettas [Lehár], Symphony No.4 finale [Tchaikovsky], 1812 Overture [Tchaikovsky])

Gill’s enthusiasm for popularising classical music is to be applauded. Likewise the selection of lively and contemporary Australian composers for Part 1. Relying on old favourites of similar pomp for Part 2 was disappointing, though Best was enjoyable.

Large, free, community events are always welcome though being outdoors are subject to so many vagaries. A southerly wind froze us after a 40C day and the amplification lacked subtly on an otherwise a popular night.