Conceived in the ACT’s nine-week lockdown, the CSO 2021 Digital Series is a hyperlocal celebration of the changing seasons in the nation’s capital, showcasing musicians from the orchestra and local composers.
Curated by Jessica Cottis, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, the series includes two chamber performances, two mixtapes curated by CSO musicians and an innovative take on the ‘virtual orchestra’ concept popularised throughout the pandemic.
The Digital Series features two world premieres of new CSO commissions: a chamber work for double bass quartet by Sally Greenaway, and a virtual orchestra concept created by Dante Clavijo and Frank Millward.
CHAMBER O1: Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich
Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano
(arr. Levon Atovmyan)
IV. Waltz
V. Polka
CSO Chamber Ensemble
Lucy Macourt Violin
Tim Wickham Violin
Rowan Phemister Harp
Recorded in the CSO offices, 1 Farrell Place
Produced by Matt Barnes and Harry Chalker
Program note:
“If you’re familiar with the searing intensity and raw bombast of Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphonies, his Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano (performed in this concert with harp) might come as a surprise. Here we get the composer at his most light-hearted – you can almost hear in these dances a young Shostakovich playing the piano to accompany silent films…”
CHAMBER O2: GREENAWAY
Sally Greenaway
The Sky is Also Yours
New CSO commission
CSO Chamber Ensemble
Max McBride Double Bass
Kyle Ramsay-Daniel Double Bass
Isabella Brown Double Bass
Hayley Manning Double Bass
Sponsored by Anne Caine & Jim Lumbers
Recorded at Belconnen Arts Centre
Produced by Matt Barnes and Harry Chalker
Program note:
“Music is an ‘essential service’ for our mind, heart and soul. As each note unfolds, the journey salves and challenges our thoughts and feelings. And when we reach the final cadence, we are completely transformed.”
VIRTUAL ORCHESTRA: CLAVIJO & MILLWARD
Dante Clavijo & Frank Millward
Navigating Phase
New CSO commission
Visuals captured by
Martin Ollman
CSO Chamber Ensemble
Kirsten Williams Violin
Lucy Macourt Violin
Lucy Carrigy-Ryan Viola
Sponsored by OPF Consulting
Liam Meany Cello
David Flynn Double Bass
Zoë Loxley Slump Oboe
Benn Sutcliffe Clarinets
Carly Brown French Horn
Justin Lingard Trumpet
Bjorn Pfeiffer Tuba
Veronica Bailey Percussion
Music recorded in the CSO offices, 1 Farrell Place
Post-production by Matt Barnes and Dante Clavijo
Program note:
“Navigating Phase is a piece of music accompanied by moving images, written and developed collaboratively by composers Dante Clavijo and Frank Millward, featuring musicians from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. The composers have produced a piece for large ensemble which explores the concepts of evolving or unfolding – sounds and visual images are developed through controlled randomness.”
CSO MIXTAPE LESS IS MORE
Curated by Madeleine Retter, CSO Violin
This is my eclectic assortment of ‘less is more’ – there are some big names, but you won’t find any big symphonies or concerti. I have always been drawn to the intimate and vulnerable nature of chamber works, so this collection is an ode to the introverts out there.
These smaller-scale works and soaring lines offer glimpses into sound capsules of different worlds – I hope you’ll find moments of incredibly moving depth and stillness.
CSO MIXTAPE FROM THEN TO NOW
Curated by Liam Meany, CSO Cello
Hello Reader, thank you for taking the time out of your day to peruse this Spotify mixtape!
When I was first approached to curate this selection, I found it difficult to find a cohesive theme for my picks. That was until I thought, rather than picking works that really impact me when I listen to them, how about I choose works that I’ve performed during my career so far, that have left a lasting impression? And so, this list took shape. Hope you enjoy this eclectic collection!