The Concourse, Chatswood runs an exciting Cultural Program starring its resident orchestra, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra – bringing cutting-edge arts to the North Shore.
As part of this program, on May 22 and 23 the venue is presenting Next Chapters, a concert of contemporary and 20th-century classical music that involves the orchestra, a choir, a saxophone ensemble and well-known aerial dance troupe Legs on the Wall.
It promises an exciting evening of both breathtaking aerial feats and sublime music.
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s composer-in-residence, Alice Chance, has written a new work called ‘Holy Dreaming’ that is inspired by the prayer ‘A Thanksgiving for Australia’ by Indigenous Anglican Minister Lenore Parker. This evocative piece will be performed with a choir led by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith, with a dance presentation by Legs on the Wall.
Uzbek-Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s shimmering Five Chapters for four saxophones and piano will be played by Australia’s foremost saxophone ensemble Nexas Quartet.
The show includes the world premiere of Joseph Newton’s ‘The Phoenix’ – the winning composition from the orchestra’s 2021 Young Composer Award. Bringing the concert to a climax will be a performance of Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony. This stirring, 26-minute symphony was composed in 1945 and should gain an extra dimension with the accompanying dance performance by Legs on the Wall.
Virtuoso musicianship and spectacular physical theatre come to Chatswood’s performing arts centre in this exciting collaboration curated by Willoughby Symphony’s chief conductor and artistic director, Dr Nicholas Milton AM. Whether you live locally or are inspired to take the super-quick train ride to Chatswood, this event is one to look forward to. Tickets are on sale now ranging from $29 to $59 with Family tickets (four tickets) costing $150.