Northern Serenades

In the late 19th century, the serenade was the vehicle for some exquisite, expressive writing by some of the biggest names of the era. Edward Elgar and Hugo Wolf all wrote serenades that remain among their best-loved works, filling these relatively brief pieces with beautiful, tuneful music that highlights the expressive and emotive way that string musicians were performing at the time.

Another composer who knew his way around a tune was American Victor Herbert, whose serenade shows you why no less a judge than Dvorák thought he had promise beyond the Tin Pan Alley songs he became famous for.

This program also features an arrangement of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op.73, commissioned by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra from Australian composer Shauna Beesley, and here in its world premiere performance. Originally for solo instrument and piano, this enlarged arrangement highlights the superb playing of our co-artistic director and violin soloist Rachael Beesley against a lush, enchanting torrent of strings. Schumann’s title suggests uninhibited imagination, and that is precisely what you will hear.

Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra is a force to be reckoned with.

Limelight, 2020

Other programs in the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra series:

Sounds of Vienna – Wednesday 15 June
Tempestuous Skies – Tuesday 23 August
Subscribe to all three

Visitor Safety Information

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Please do not attend this event if you are feeling unwell. If you have tickets and are no longer able to attend:

• View our updated Terms & Conditions 
• Visit www.health.gov.au for the latest advice and information about COVID-19
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Details correct at the time of publication.

• Program

  Elgar

  Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op.20

  Holst

  St Paul's Suite in C major, Op.29, No.2

  Schumann 

  Fantasiestücke, Op.73 for violin and strings (arr. Shauna Beesley) (world premiere) 

  Wolf

  Italian Serenade in G major (strings version)

  Herbert 

  Serenade for Strings in F major, Op.12

• Artists

  Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

  Rachael Beesley

  Director & Violin