CSO 2020

“This 26-minute symphonic Christmas fantasy has it all: trumpets announcing the birth of Christ; Santa emerging out of a snowstorm (represented by a heroic solo bassoon); and a rollicking sleigh ride, featuring a slapstick to emulate Santa’s reigns demanding the tireless reindeer fly faster.”

“I have felt truly happy and energised to have shared with our engaged and intelligent audiences so many extraordinary moments…performances that have opened hearts, enriched souls and undeniably brought us closer together as a community.”

“Arundo Donax Me Why (it’s a reed pun): a bunch of music, almost entirely featuring reed instruments, that’s stuck with me as a country boy who ended up playing about the most arcane, un-country instrument in the orchestra, bookended by two ripper concertos for it.”

“For this mixtape, I wanted to share with you the brilliant artists that inspire me but also dedicate a few works to thank the people who have inspired us all – particularly throughout the year 2020, but also those who have gone before us.”

“It was very touching to receive such an emotional response from the audience. It makes you realise that live music really matters to people!”

“I’m David Flynn, I play the double bass with the CSO, occasionally guitar or bass guitar if the right gig comes up. My first CSO gig was back in 1992, playing mandolin in a Prom concert. I made my bass debut in 1993. During the day, I’m found in the CSO office, either on the telephone selling tickets or doing the ‘behind the scenes’ work that enables a ticket to be sold.”

“Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet is one of the reasons I became a musician…lyrical, dramatic, melancholy, formally disciplined while at the same time full of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion – it’s just one of my favourite pieces in the whole world.”

“As I listen to the music and write these notes, I’m sitting outside on my deck, absorbing the sights and sounds of this lush springtime amongst rural bliss. The garden is flourishing and fragrant, wildlife abounds and the boronia and roses form a beautiful foreground to the mountains in the distance.” – Leanne Bear, CSO Violin

“At times it has seemed impossible to keep this mixtape under two hours…I’ve settled on a playlist of recordings that have, at one point or another, had a profound impact on my development as a musician and of which I can’t help but smile (or cry) when I listen to them.”

“I think a playlist made by a musician should change constantly, according to the interests, what we are studying and the research we are doing. This playlist is the result of five months without live concerts but a lot of time spent studying different repertoire.”