DSO - A Year of Celebration
THE 30TH BIRTHDAY celebrations just keep on coming for DSO, with two events this month for young and old.
We caught up with Artistic Director/Chief Conductor Jonathan Tooby to chat about them.
Tell us about Heroic Beethoven!
This show is dear to me as Beethoven is my favourite composer. The Eroica Symphony is my favourite of his nine symphonies, and is the jewel in the crown of this particular performance. This is complemented by Rodrigo’s Guitar concerto, which is all lightness and fun, and features Australian guitarist Craig Ogden. We’re starting the show with Tromba Lontana, a short work by John Adams that brings a completely different soundscape to the performance.
The Kids’ Classics Four Seasons is also on this month – why do you think it’s important to expose young minds to classical music?
It’s incredibly important to expose young people to music of all kinds. There is ever increasing evidence that music, classical music in particular, improves children’s learning, creativity and communication skills, while being fun and collaborative. I believe it is a language that unites us all.
The official event to mark 30 years of the DSO was held in August, with a very special collab between composer Lachlan Skipworth and Mambali band member Don Nunggarrgalu. What was the response like?
No one was prepared for the overwhelming response from the audience for this world premiere of Yuwani. There was an instant standing ovation with many moved to tears, including myself, and there were endless cheers and “bravos.”
No one was prepared for the overwhelming response from the audience for this world premiere of Yuwani. There was an instant standing ovation with many moved to tears, including myself, and there were endless cheers and “bravos.”
I’m so excited this marked the beginning of a journey for DSO, collaborating with the rich and ancient art and music that surrounds us here in the Territory. Don’s performance will be remembered by many for a very long time. Together with Don and Lachlan, we are planning take Yuwani to new audiences in 2020.
What has this milestone year meant to the DSO family?
2019 has been a terrific year on many fronts. When we have responses like the one we all had to Yuwani, it speaks to me that this orchestra is in a good space and really making an incredible contribution to the community.
2019 has been a terrific year on many fronts. When we have responses like the one we all had to Yuwani, it speaks to me that this orchestra is in a good space and really making an incredible contribution to the community.
This has been particularly important this year, as our 30th anniversary is a year of reflection and celebration. It’s going to be hard to top 2019 but I’m optimistic we can keep getting better. Exciting times ahead!
DSO Kids’ Classic SAT 5 OCT, 9.30AM & 11AM CDU THEATRE | SUN 6 OCT, 9.30AM HOWARD HALL, HOWARD PARK RECREATION RESERVE | $5 KIDS | $10 ADULTS | $25 FAMILIES
DSO Heroic Beethoven SAT 12 OCT | 7.30PM DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE | $30-$50 |dso.org.au
