David Brennan commences with the wonderful (1896) Excelsiori Overture Opus 13 by the Swedish composer, Wilhelm Stenhammar. This work was especially popular in its day for its vibrant and uplifting character, reflecting the spirit and progress of the late nineteenth century. It is still a symphonic highlight today. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Neemi Jarvi. With its buoyant folksong style together with its instrumental solos and perky rhythms Hamilton Harty’s (1935) In Ireland Fantasy is a clear winner! Soloists Colin Fleming, flute, Dennis Kelly, harp accompanied by the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Bryden Thompson. Martinu’s rhapsodic style lends itself well to the composition of concertos. The Cello Concerto No 1 H196 is a strong work and it will be played by the cellist, Raphael Wallfisch with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jiri Belohlavek. Going back in time a few centuries, the Sonata in D major Op 9, no 5 by the French Baroque composer, Jean-Marie Leclair, will be played by Monica Huggett, violin with the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Christopher Hogwood. Brahms’ Song of the Fates Opus 89 is a re-telling of the ancient Greek tragedy of Euripides. In thrilling eruptive sounds fate is overcome through the purity of truthful, noble actions and the power of hope. Performers are Alfreda Hodgson, alto, the Chorus and Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, conducted by Bernard Haitink. Next, something completely different; Tivoli Dances by Graeme Koehne affirms the enjoyment of fine music and its, beauty and simplicity which can refreshs the ears and the heart. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Bernard Haitink. And lastly but not least, the Abegg Variations Op 1 is a student work composed by Robert Schumann. They will be played by Sviatoslav Richter, piano. All in all, this is a varied program of works which is guaranteed to appeal to most listeners.

Philip Virgo presents a stimulating program starting with the very popular Violin Sonata No 9 in A major ‘Kreutzer’ by Beethoven. This work is known for its technical difficulty and emotional depth Natalie Chee, violin and Kathryn Selby, piano will play this work. The pianist in Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata in G minor Opus 19 does not really play the role of accompanist but makes an equal contribution to that of the cellist. Most of the themes are introduced by the piano and then expanded by the cello part. Moving to Paris in the 1790s, Mathieu Lussier’s arrangement of Francois Devienne’s Quartet Opus 73 No 1 in C major is a burst of sheer delight. The Ensemble of Musicians is led by the bassoonist, Mathieu Lussier. Bedrich Smetana was Czechoslovakia’s first truly nationalist composer. His Piano Trio in G minor Opus 15 is a powerful romantic work with an elegiac character which features both dark and light passages. This final work will be played by the Beaux Arts Trio.

Yvonne Schwerdt presents Umberto Giordano’s (1915) ‘Madame Sans-Gene’ [Madame Carefree] which is a realist, brisk, vivacious and tuneful comedy-drama for lovers of Italian verismo. The action takes place at the end of the French Revolution. It concerns the adventures of a resourceful laundress who becomes a duchess. The incomparable Mirelle Freni is supported by a solidly professional cast. Not to be missed! Mirelle Freni, soprano Giorgio Merighi, tenor Emilia Romagna ‘Arturo Toscanini’ Symphony Orchestra Stefano Renzani, conductor Modena Teatro Communale Chorus Dir. Stefano Colo

Michael Owen presents a star-studded line-up of winners commencing with the adventures of Don Quixote inspired by Cervantes. In the delightful Suite, ‘Burlesque de Quixote’ TWV55 Telemann structured the movements so that each would depict one of the Don’s adventure. It will be played by the Freiburger Barrockorchester. The next work requires no introduction at all. It is Mozart’s ‘overpoweringly great’ Symphony No 41 in C major K.551 played by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Herbert von Karajan. Next, the awe-inspiring, daringly virtuosic and triumphant ‘Don Juan’ tone poem by Richard Strauss. The Halle Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Mark Elder. The final work is Leopold Nowak’s edited version of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No 6 in A major WAB 106. The audience response at the premiere in 1881 gave the composer the greatest feelings of success he had known in his life. The Staatskapelle Dresden is conducted by Eugen Jochum.

Gabrielle Scherrer brings to life four very interesting Australian compositions which might have been in danger of being overlooked, neglected or ignored. Percy Grainger’s highly imaginative plotless ballet, The Warriors’ is a work of sustained fantasy, an approachable sonic spectacular with a grand ending. It will be played by three pianists: Leslie Howard, David Stanhope and Geoffrey Parsons, the Adelaide Brass Quintet together with a host of other musicians too numerous to mention. Arthur Benjamin’s Oboe Concerto in C minor on Themes of Domenico Cimarosa is a delight and a balm to the soul. Heinz Holliger, oboe, is accompanied by I Musici. Margaret Sutherland’s Six Songs to Poems by Judith Wright are favourites in the Australian Art Song repertoire. They will be sung by the Perth-based soprano, Lisa-Harper Brown accompanied by David Wickham, piano. ‘The Nocturnal Power of Trees’ is the first part of Richard Mills’ composition, ‘Symphony of Nocturnes’. The work evokes the mysterious and serene qualities of trees at night. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Richard Mills.

Glen Quick begins with the passionate late Romantic/early Modern Piano Trio in A major Opus 7 by the little-known Finnish composer, Toivo Kuula. Performed by the Pohjola Trio, this lengthy, but accomplished, work concludes in the final movement with a Tarantella. The exuberant lushly lyrical Violin Sonata by Richard Strauss follows. It is played by Erno Sebestyen, violin, and Wolfgang Sawallisch, piano. With four interconnected movements Carl Maria Weber’s Konzertstucke in F minor Opus 79 portrays a medieval lady’s longing for her absent knight, her fears for his safety and, lastly, the joys of reunion. The pianist, Nikolai Demidenko is in his element as he plays this work including the Cadenza in the First Movement. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Charles Mackerras. A scintillating performance which not be missed! Finally, ‘Raisins and Almonds’ is based on a Klezmer Melody. The Fell Clarinet Quartet led by Len Sayers takes us on a brief journey through Eastern Europe.

John Pederson begins with a performance by the harpist, Marshall McGuire, of ‘Aria dello balleto’ by the late Renaissance/early Baroque Italian composer Girolamo Frescobaldi. The work consists of a set of variations based on an Italian drinking song. Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso No 8 in G minor from his Opus 6, the beautiful Christmas Concerto, will be played by Cantilena directed by Adria Shepherd. The Triumph of Time and Truth, HWV71 [Il Trionfo del Tempo e det Disinganno], composed in 1707, is full of youthful exuberance. It was Handel’s very first Oratorio. Three arias from this work will be sung by the soprano, Cecilia Bartoli, with the Les Musiciens Du Louvre – Grenoble conducted by Marac Minkowski. Finally J.S. Bach’ drew on popular dance forms, folk and popular melodies to portray the rural scene in his Peasant Cantata BWV212. Emma Kirkby, soprano, Rogers Covey, tenor and the Academy of Ancient Music are directed by Christopher Hogwood. And there are so many more highlights from the ancient music realm to enjoy in this program.