This Friday evening on 4 October in Queens Park something very special will take place – the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perfrom Symphony Under the Stars, under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
It will be Maestro Clerici’s first trip to the Garden City, and the first time the full orchestra has performed an outdoor concert in Toowoomba.
Maestro Clerici will be joined by saxophone soloist Nick Russoniello and 84 members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Symphony Under the Stars features music from George Gershwin, Debussy and Mussorgsky.
Opening this huge music event is George Gershwin’s famous, An American in Paris.
Enormously popular around the world, this piece masterfully blends classical music with jazz, capturing the spirit and vibrancy of Paris in the 1920s.
Its rhythms, melodies, and vivid orchestration have made it loved by millions while showcasing Gershwin’s unique ability to bridge the gap between classical and popular music.
Music lovers are then in for a real treat as special guest soloist saxophonist Nick Russoniello joins the orchestra for Claude Debussy’s Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra.
The piece stands out in the classical saxophone repertoire, offering a rare and beautifully crafted work that highlights the instrument’s lyrical potential while capturing the evocative atmosphere for which Debussy is famed.
Closing what will be an outdoor concert for the ages in Toowoomba is Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel).
This is a suite of ten piano pieces, later orchestrated by Maurice Ravel, that musically depicts a walk through an art gallery, with each movement representing a different artwork.
It is famous for its vivid imagery, ranging from the grandeur of “The Great Gate of Kiev” to the eerie atmosphere of “The Hut on Hen’s Legs (Baba Yaga),” capturing a wide range of moods.
Set in the iconic Queens Park Amphitheatre, this floral-inspired symphony under starry skies will be an event not to be missed.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Regional Touring Program (2024-2028) is committed to ensuring Queenslanders have access to world-class performances and education, and not be limited by geographical boundaries, ensuring the transformative power of music unites our communities and inspires Queenslanders for generations to come.
