Got plans for the June long weekend yet? Yes – long weekends still exist during shutdowns, even if your options for recreation are limited. Luckily the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has something special planned for the three-day break that means you can still get your dose of culture from at home.
The MSO Music Marathon is a half-day of essentially non-stop orchestral music taking place from 2pm on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday (that is, Monday, June 8). After launching headfirst into a series of livestreamed concerts at the beginning of Australia’s shutdowns, the MSO had to temporarily stand down its musicians in mid-April.
The musicians will be returning from their orchestral slumber to perform live for the event – yes, the MSO is back baby. The music marathon will combine live, virtual performances along with existing live recordings from the MSO’s archives.
Some of the standout performances planned for the event include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony from February this year (it saw the orchestra collaborate with Circa Contemporary Circus), Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and (aptly) ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
The music marathon will begin with Deborah Cheetham performing Long Time Living Here as a musical acknowledgement of country. The packed half-day of music will also be dotted with conversations featuring MSO musicians, giving audiences an insight into how the musicians view the works they perform.
The MSO Music Marathon runs starts at 2pm, Monday June 8, with the final performance scheduled for 7.30pm. For the full program visit the MSO website. You can watch the event free via the MSO’s YouTube channel, however, viewers are encouraged to donate to the MSO to help support the organisation.
