Wrapping up its 10 year anniversary celebrations, the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra (GSO) will perform "Symphonic Journeys: Baroque to Brilliance" at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Sunday, November 23.
The afternoon concert will feature three master Baroque works: Mozart's Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major; Bach's Double Violin Concerto in D minor; and Haydn's Symphony No. 103 in E-flat major - better known as "Drumroll".
In keeping with the theme of honouring the GSO's first concert, a re-orchestration of Mozart's first symphony will begin "Baroque to Brilliance" with a bang.
"In our very first concert in 2015, we played Mozart's first and Beethoven's first because it was our first," GSO conductor David Williams explained.
"Ten years later, across all our concerts this year we've played one piece from our very first concert."
Composed when Mozart was eight years old, the youthful symphony is filled with charm and glimpses of the genius to come.
David said he re-orchestrated the piece to include instruments that weren't invented at the time the symphony was written and incorporate more members of the GSO.
"I did what I think Mozart and Beethoven would have done - if they were alive when the new instrument was developed, they would have incorporated themselves," he said.
Bach's Double Violin Concerto will feature the talents of virtuosic soloists Edward Pople and Kieran Brown, whose interplay promises both precision and passion.
"We decided to go with the Bach to give Kieran a push, and to also feature Edward who is now in his 80s and has had quite a long career," David said.
The concert will conclude with one of Haydn's London Symphonies, nicknamed for its dramatic timpani opening. Full of wit, grandeur, and inventive orchestration, Symphony No. 103 is a showcase of Haydn at the height of his creative powers. David encouraged audiences to look out for the uplifting melody within the piece and the complex layering in the final movement.
Members of the Gippsland Symphony Youth Orchestra also will feature in the concert for a special performance.
David said the concert was a great opportunity to experience live music and support local talents.
"I would really encourage people who have never been to an orchestra concert to come along because there's three of the greatest composers known to the world, and (you can) see and hear what it's like live," he said. "The thing about a live performance is that it's of the time, it's never the same (as a past performance).
The Gippsland Symphony Orchestra will perform "Symphonic Journeys: Baroque to Brilliance" at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Sunday, November 23 at 2pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online at sales.wgac.com.au or at the Arts Centre box office.