Classical Music
news

Professor Earl Owen has died

Surgeon and musician who designed the Sydney Opera House seats passes away at 80. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

June 3, 2014
Classical Music
features

25 years of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

Australia’s first period orchestra have been flying the early music flag for 25 years and now their founder and artistic director tells the story from his perspective Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

April 19, 2014
Uncategorised
post

It’s All About The Audience

We often think that all the magic in a performance happens on the stage, but I’m increasingly coming to the conclusion that the excitability of the audience is as much to do with a successful concert as the performers themselves.  Recently we had two packed houses at the Sydney Opera House for the Australian version of the Last Night of the Proms. In our Australian way, we have none of the other concerts of that great London festival, so our first night is also our Last Night. On a Friday in Sydney, I walked out as conductor and already you could tell that the audience was ready to combust. It was like dense bushland with tinder dry leaves and dead wood littered everywhere, waiting for a match in order to burst into life. You can tell from the way you enter. If the applause is warm with a few whoops and you have to wait for them to calm down before you start, you know you are on to a winner. If on the other hand the audience barely claps long enough to get you to the podium, and you turn around in silence to acknowledge the applause after it…

February 27, 2014