Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s (QSO) most recent maestro arrangement, Enigma was as described, a Musical Tour de Force. Their sensational opening arrangement struck the audience as they showcased a spine-tingling brass and organ production of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C minor, followed by BVW 546, and a moving ‘Nimrod’ variation.
Who would have imagined this wonderful set of variations based on one melody would send me to memories of the Phantom of the Opera starring Rob Guest and Marina Prior at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in Melbourne in 1990. Nor thoughts of the passing of Prince Philip and my visit to St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle where his funeral service will be held.
Yet along with conductor Johannes Fritzsch’s rewritten piece for the Prelude, and extraordinary solo organist Joseph Nolan, who towered above the orchestra as he moved his agile fingers around the multi-layered keyboard, did just that. Pressing keys that pushed air through the various-sized pipes ranging from 10 metres long to less than 3 centimetres, we were mesmerised.
There were times I closed my eyes and allowed myself to articulate the conversation between brass and organ and other musical instruments. Enigma was a unique gift, a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand, like a maze, it needs some figuring out – QSO had figured it out as concertmaster Natsuko Yoshimoto and associate concertmaster Alan Smith, with a wonderful team of musicians, worked their magic on their instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, French horns, trumpets, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, and percussion.
QSO continue to excel and I am thrilled that SheSociety are sending me to the next signature concert Cinematic – Heroes and Heroines, performed on Saturday 24 April at 3pm and 7.30pm. It is described as an evocative mix of music from the movies with a little classical thrown in, hence the theme Heroes and Heroines, a tribute to heroic characters, big and small, super and ordinary, across the ages. I continually say that QSO never lets us down and we all agree, there is nothing more powerful than a live symphony orchestra. See you there soon and hopefully facemask free!
Bookings www.qso.com.au , 07 3833 5044 M-F 9am-5pm, single concert tickets for QPAC concerts 136 246
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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