Great Inventions

Queensland Symphony Orchestra delivered quality entertainment yet again with the latest instalment in their Music on Sundays series of events. Each event is built around a different theme. Entitled Great Inventions this show included music that is highly inventive and/or written in salute to great inventions.

Generally, these shows are hosted by the affable and hilarious Guy Noble from ABC music. This time, the Sydney lockdown presented a little challenge, in that Noble was unable to travel to Brisbane’s QPAC for the show. That didn’t stop him warming up the cold windswept crowd from afar – from his bathtub in lockdown if the hilarious voiceover we heard was to be believed. This gave the audience a lot of laughs as well as serving to introduce the show’s theme and the performers.

Throughout the remainder of the performance, players from different sections of the orchestra introduced works and chatted with the conductor, Benjamin Bayl about the meaning or inspiration behind the pieces. Aside from the fantastic talents of the orchestra, one of the best things about the Music on Sundays series is the educational aspect. It’s always fascinating to hear of the history and inspiration for each classical work.

The program featured a mix of the relaxing and thrilling. Beethoven’s Symphony No 3, Eroica the best of the latter category and Stuart Greenbaum’s City Lights a Mile Up the most soothing of the relaxing works. In this piece, the contemporary Melbourne based composer sought to capture the feeling on flying into a city and seeing the lights twinkling below your aircraft window. The piece was also specifically created to give listeners a feeling of calmness, which it most certainly delivered.

Standout performances were delivered by the entire timpani and percussion sections (Tim Corkeron, David Montgomery, Josh DeMarchi, Jacob Enoka, Angus Wilson, Fraser Matthew), soloist Thomas Allely on Principal Tuba, pianist Luke Volker, and concertmaster Warwick Adeney. Bayl’s conducting was controlled and encouraging. There was a very positive and playful atmosphere among players and conductor which was refreshing to see.

Visit www.qso.com.au/events/2021/music-on-sundays to find out about the two remaining Music on Sundays performances for 2021.

Kitty Goodall