Glen Quick presents Rossini’s ‘La Gazzetta’ (The Newspaper) which is a marvellous piece of theatre, fresh, vital and colourful, an absolute joy from beginning to end. The plot concerns a pretentious father who wants to have his daughter married to a husband who would increase their wealth or improve their social status. The father advertises in the newspaper for a suitor for his daughter but, after a series of ridiculously inadequate suitors and many hilarious episodes, love triumphs and the father become reconciled to his daughter’s marriage to a lover of her own choosing. Eva Gauthier, mezzo-soprano Marco Orestano, baritone San Pietra a Majella Chorus Czech Chamber Soloists Christopher Franklin, conductor

David Brennan begins with the type of showpiece oboists have been waiting for. It is James MacMillan’s Oboe Concerto (2010). This Concerto turns the soloist into a nimble-footed musical athlete all in the space of three varied movements. The first movement builds up to being virtuosic enough. The second is a reflective dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra’s other wind instruments, and the final movement is a clownish, extroverted, dramatic display for the soloist with a joyous, exultant conclusion. A brilliant start to the program! Nicholas Daniel, oboe, and James MacMillan conducts the Britten Sinfonia. In his String Quartet No 2 (1980), Richard Meale expressed his growing respect for emotion and freshness in the work’s melody, regular rhythm and tonality. Some listeners might regard this as anachronistic in the modern era. It will be presented by the Australian String Quartet. Now, for something completely different: Eugene List, the pianist who premiered Carlos Chávez’s Piano Concerto, described it as the most taxing work he had ever played. In its complexity, the instruments of the orchestra seem to challenge or even fight against the soloist. Some other sections of the work seem to evoke feelings of a volcano erupting. It must be heard to be believed. Don’t miss this colourful but little-known major work under any circumstances! Eugene List, piano and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra is conducted by the composer himself, Carlos Chávez. Madeleine Dring’s Trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano (1968) is a real crowd pleaser. Like most works by Dring, it is tuneful, rhythmic, quirky and sparkling. Prudence Davis, flute Jeffrey Crellin, oboe Stephen McIntyre, piano Written in 1987, Górecki’s Totus Tuus Op. 60 was composed for the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II to his home country. The Gabrieli Consort is directed by Paul McCreesh. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a traditional Christmas Eve service that combines Scripture and Carols. Finally, the subtle and lyrical Fayrfax Carol, which Thomas Adès composed for this Festival, will also be presented by The Gabrieli Consort, directed by Paul McCreesh.

Dave Anthony presents a monthly roundup of local jazz and first up this month is now New York based guitarist Quentin Angus, trombonist Will Morley, a couple of scintillating tracks from guitarist Django Rowe and a quiet and peaceful tune from a group live at The Wheaty from a COMA gig led on flute by Leak Blankendaal…and more too… and – you can hear the show later – on the net, go to https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ “Jazz in the Spotlight” or download the app – https://communityradio.plus/ and go to “In The Spotlight”

Suzanne Pederson presents a solid program featuring works by four of the most important composers. Beethoven’s Name Day Overture was composed in honour of the name day of the Austrian Emperor Francis I. It is a grand and festive Concert Overture which looks back to the ceremonial splendour of the Baroque era. Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic. Richard Strauss’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite, adapted from the play by Molière, is unusual among his works because it has a distinct Baroque flavour. Strauss based parts of it on music composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully. The Berlin Philharmonic is conducted by Simon Rattle. The Piano Concerto in D minor Op 15 by Brahms’s reflects his desire to combine the piano with the orchestra as equal partners in a symphonic scale work instead of the orchestra accompanying the piano. The pianist Martha Argerich with the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Claudio Abbado. Lastly Karl Böhm conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in a performance of Mozart’s cheerful and sunny Symphony No. 33 in B flat major K 319 an orchestral work possessing the lightness of a chamber work.

David Brennan begins with Der Freischütz Overture which, as well as foreshadowing a Romantic Opera about a conflict between the forces of good and evil, is often used as a Concert Piece independent of the Opera. We hear it presented by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing. Gerard Willems was the first Australian pianist to record the full set of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas which is a spectacular achievement. Willems will play Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat major Op 81a ‘Les Adieux’ from that collection. The String Quartet No. 2 in A minor by Arnold Bax tends to be weighty but with an optimistic, lively final movement. It deserves to be listened to more than once to achieve maximum enjoyment. The Maggini Quartet, as always, is excellent. Luigi Cherubini has been referred to as the French Joseph Haydn. With its echoes of Schubert and Rossini Cherubini’s Symphony in D major is a wonderful, very enjoyable work. Piero Bellugi conducts the Orchestra Sinfonico Di Sanremo. The baritone Stéphane Degout is very fond of French Melody. Accompanied by the pianist Hélène Lucas we will hear him sing (i) L’Ile heureuse, (ii) Chanson pour Jeanne, and (iii) Les cigales by Chabrier. The closing work especially designed for Francophiles and everyone is Maurice Emmanuel’s playful Sonata for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano Op 11. Emmanuel Pahud, flute Paul Meyer, clarinet Eric Le Sage, piano

John Pederson presents a program featuring works performed by the Sydney-born pianist, poet and writer, Simon Tedeschi. The first work is J.S. Bach’s ‘Capriccio on the Departure of Beloved Brother’ in B flat BWV 992 written on the departure of his brother, Johann Jacob Bach, an oboist, for his new duties in the service of King Carl XII of Sweden. The Piano Concerto No 23 in A major K488 by Mozart Is a work of profound beauty and emotional depth which continues to resonate with audiences today. Soloist Simon Tedeschi is accompanied by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Briger. Mendelssohn’s ‘Fantasy on the last rose of summer’ in E major Op 15 is based on the popular Irish tune. Lastly Tedeschi will play the up-tempo, jazzy ‘Someone to watch over me’ from ‘Oh! Kay’ by Gershwin and ‘Love walked in’ from ‘The Goldwyn Follies’ also by Gershwin.

French Connections 1: Join Meg Alexander, when, on the eve of the final stage of the Tour De France (which finishes on the Champs-Élysées Sunday, July 26), we celebrate the many ways music connects with France—through French singers and composers, adopted artists, and performers from around the world who aren’t French but love singing in French anyway! Beginning with La Marseillaise, we will journey through Parisian café songs, opera, jazz, Broadway’s version of Montmartre, gypsy swing, chanson, and a few musical postcards from those who have imagined France from afar. We’ll hear Jean Sablon, Maurice Chevalier, the passion and poignancy of Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Sidney Bechet, Mantovani and even The Beatles and Nat King Cole. Et bien plus encore! This program is available after any time for you to listen to – go to “Music on Demand” on the web https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ scroll down to ‘Classical’ then ‘Charivari.

Keith Hempton begins with a performance of the Kyrie from the Mass in C minor by Mozart. Mozart’s intended wife, Constanze, had been seriously ill and when she recovered it is thought that he composed this Great Mass as a gesture of gratitude for the marriage that followed Constanze’s return to good health. Peter Neumann directs the Cologne Chamber Choir. Next the LSO Chorus directed by Richard Hickox will sing the opening chorus from Felix Mendelssohn’s Cantata ‘As Pants the Hart’ Op 42. This is perhaps the highest point Mendelssohn reached in his works for the Church. Haydn’s St Nicholas Mass is quintessential in its energy, its tunefulness and its infectious joy. It will be presented by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford directed by Simon Preston. Hubert Parry’s Songs of Farewell, written during World War I expresses the composer’s yearning for peace. Three of these motets will be presented to us by Tenebrae directed by Nigel Short. Poulenc seemed to have special gifts in setting prose to music. His ‘Gloria’ was intended as a concert piece. This wonderful emotionally charged festive exuberant work will be sung by the Choir of Radio Suisse Romande directed by Jesús López-Cobos. Finally Bach’s Cantata O Ewiges Feuer BWV serves as both a Church Cantata celebrating Pentecost and also a Wedding Cantata because the themes of love, dwelling together and peace are applicable to both Pentecost and marriage. Sir John Eliot Gardiner directs Soloists, Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists.

Phillip Virgo presents a program of works recorded by 5MBS volunteers at the Elder Hall Lunch Series of Concerts. Holly Harrison was for many years composer in residence for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Her works are frequently performed across Australia and internationally. Ms Harrison’s ‘Swivel and Swerve’ will be performed by Lloyd van Hoff, clarinet and Anna Goldsworthy, piano. ‘Meeelaan’ for Bassoon and String Quartet’ by Wynton Marsalis has been described as ‘blues and jazz styles jostling with tango rhythms and modern spikiness.’ This work will be played by Mark Gaydon and his Ensemble. Mark Gaydon is Principal Bassoonist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The Piano Trio in A minor by Ravel is a sharp break from the Nineteenth Century Romantic tradition. It will be presented by Elizabeth Layton, violin Anna Goldsworthy, piano Edith Salzmann, cello Don’t miss this exciting program!

Gabrielle Scherrer largely features works by Emil von Reznicek and Richard Strauss who were close friends. Reznicek’s grandfather and Richard Strauss Snr. played music together in the Imperial Regiment Band. Later, as a conductor, Reznicek introduced Strauss’s opera ‘Salome’ to the world. Reznicek had a wonderful sense of humour, and he had a unique ‘over the top’ manner of expressing it in music. His charming operetta ‘Donna Diana’ is about the bond between partners in a relationship and the essential qualities required during challenging times. The sunny and cheerful Overture will be played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thomas Beecham. In his Symphonic Variations on Kol Nidrei Reznicek subjects the Jewish prayer to some ambiguously pretty amazing transformations including a bittersweet waltz and a gawky march. Reznicek’s thoroughly enjoyable, resourceful and almost grotesque Chamisso Variations were inspired by a story about the problems a man had managing his pigtail which hung over his back. Michael Jurowski conducts the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne. And Richard Strauss contributes some excerpts from ‘Salome’ featuring the remarkable soprano Montserrat Caballé, Richard Lewis (tenor), Regina Resnik (mezzo-soprano) Erich Leinsdorf conducts the London Symphony Orchestra. Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic for the ‘Dance of the Seven Veils.’ But that is certainly not all of the wonderful music that this program has to offer: Carl Reinecke composed his Ballade for Flute and Accompaniment in 1908. It has since gained a firm place in the Romantic flute repertoire. And lastly the violin has a singing role, and the piano has a crucial virtuosic function in Paderewski’s Violin Sonata in A minor Op 13 presented by Marta Magdalena Lelek (violin) and Anna Miernick-Sobula (piano).

David Matison begins with Pohadka, (which translates as Fairy Tale), a major work by Leoš Janáček. It evokes scenes from the Russian epic poem ‘The Tale of Tsar Berendyey’ by Vasily Zhukovsky. It is a sonata in all but name. This work piques Janáček’s interest in Russian literature and culture. Janis Laurs (cello) and Mark Sandon (piano). Next, the Israeli Arab sensation, Saleem Ashkar, is the soloist in a brilliant performance of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40. The Gewandhausorchester is conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Astor Piazzolla composed his melancholic tango ‘Adios Nonino’ in 1959, shortly after the death of his father. It is like a requiem and will be played by the Barcelona Guitar Orchestra directed by Sergi Vicente. Following this are two popular works by Saint-Saëns: ‘Danse Macabre’ and ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.’ Brahms’s succinct Piano Trio in C minor Op 101, is firmly rooted in the structures of the past. It represents the composer at the peak of his powers. The following line-up provides a landmark performance of this work: Julius Katchen (piano), Josef Suk (violin), and Janos Starker (cello). While he was a music student, Ivor Gurney fought on the Somme during WWI. The horrors of war took a permanent toll on his health. However, his Gloucestershire Rhapsody, which he completed in 1921, expresses his unique perspective on the Gloucestershire landscape where he grew up. David Parry conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Finally Nadia Boulanger left her mark on the world with her Trois Pièces for Cello and Piano. Edith Saltzmann (cello) and Lucinda Collins (piano).

French Connections 2: Continue your journey through French Connections with Meg Alexander, as this second program turns to the sound of French music of the screen and beyond, from Moulin Rouge to Mon Oncle to the charm of Amélie. Father and son Maurice and Jean-Michel Jarre will make an appearance. We’ll hear iconic works from Michel Legrand, Georges Brassens, and Serge Gainsbourg, touch on Parisian jazz through the expatriate voices of artists such as Erroll Garner and Blossom Dearie. There will be some moments of French classicism with works from Saint‑Saëns and Bizet. Plus Mancini! Performers from around the world will capture many moods this frankly ‘francophilic’ musical portrait. This program is available after any time for you to listen to – go to “Music on Demand” on the web https://5mbs.com/listen-on-demand/ scroll down to ‘Classical’ then ‘Charivari.