CLASSIC PALMERSTON

DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (DSO) brings not one, but two spectacular orchestral concerts to Palmerston.

WORDS RITA HORANYI

Transforming the Palmerston Recreation Centre into a resonant hub for beautiful music, DSO is set to delight the ears of the whole family with performances of classical favourites.

First up is an enchanting evening of classical hits, featuring the first movement of Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, Khachaturian's exquisite and instantly recognisable Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia, and famous film scores by John Williams, such as the themes from Schindler’s List and Superman. Also featured in the concert is Elgar’s Wand of Youth Suite No. 2, a beautiful orchestral piece comprised of six short evocative movements.

Outgoing Artistic Director/Chief Conductor Jonathan Tooby hands the baton over to his successor Richard Mills in 2026. For Mills, the pieces in the program are great character pieces.

“The Elgar is particularly interesting because [the movements] have really evocative titles … Two of the most beautiful ones are ‘The Tame Bear' and ‘The Wild Bears'. The Tame Bear is very sad, and you can hear his chain drag as he walks along ... and then The Wild Bears are having enormous fun, leaping about,” says Mills.

“Then of course, there’s Beethoven Five, which is one of the great utterances in symphonic literature ... It’s about the struggle against fate really and it’s a very powerful piece.”

Families can enjoy another classical treat the next morning, with Palmerston Family Proms. An interactive event that introduces kids to the different sections of the orchestra, the concert features performances of much-loved works like Johann Strauss’ Radetzky March, and Bizet’s Carmen.

Little ones can also do a walk through, allowing them to see players up close, and there’s even a chance for them to conduct the orchestra!

Music educator Natalie Jacobs, who conducts Family Proms this time 'round, loves seeing children discover new pieces of classical music.

“I love this concert because my twin boys who are six have been coming since they were three and they love it,” she says.

Likewise, Mills believes such concerts can sometimes be the greatest gift for children.

“You never know what doors it might open.”

Palmerston Classics
WHEN FRI 17 OCT | 7.30PM
AT PALMERSTON RECREATION CENTRE 
COST $15-$105

Palmerston Family Proms
WHEN SAT 18 OCT | 10AM
AT PALMERSTON RECREATION CENTRE 
COST $15

INFO dso.org.au

_{Image: Hannah Herbert}