Gippsland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Williams OAM, presents an afternoon celebrating the artistry and storytelling of women in music, bringing together masterworks of the classical and romantic repertoire with exciting new Australian voices.
The program opens with two new works by Gippsland composers Alisha Redmond and Hannah Comrie-Weston—Grand Ridge and Dawn Chorus—showcasing the creativity, imagination, and vitality of contemporary regional composition while highlighting the importance of supporting local artistic talent.
Violist Katarina Yalizis is featured in Henri Casadesus’s Concerto in the Style of Handel, a graceful neo-Baroque work inspired by George Frideric Handel that combines elegance, warmth, and virtuosity, allowing the rich voice of the viola to shine through lyrical melodies and lively orchestral exchanges.
Flautist Beth Frank then performs Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major, K. 313, a work of charm, brilliance, and expressive beauty whose sparkling orchestration and memorable melodies have secured its place among the finest works in the flute repertoire.
The concert concludes with Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32 by Louise Farrenc, one of the nineteenth century’s most distinguished French composers. Blending Classical form with Romantic energy and expressive depth, Farrenc’s bold and vibrant symphony demonstrates masterful orchestration, dramatic contrasts, and lyrical beauty, providing a powerful and uplifting conclusion to a program that celebrates musical creativity across centuries.
Hannah Comrie Weston
Dawn Chorus (commissioned by GSO)
Katarina Yalizis
Casadesus, Viola Concerto in the Style of Handel
Beth Frank
Mozart, Flute Concerto in G Major
Alisha Redmond
Grand Ridge (commissioned by GSO)
Louise Farrenc
Symphony No 1 in C minor, Opus 32
Gippsland Symphony Orchestra gratefully acknowledge the support of Joseph Barake and all at 3BBR, The Wedge,
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul Anglican Church, St Joseph's Catholic Church, Berninneit Cultural Centre, The Forge Theatre, Yarram Regent Theatre, Warragul Gazette, South Gippsland Sentinel Times, Gippsland Times, ABC Gippsland.
Gippsland Symphony Orchestra acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Gippsland on which we live, rehearse and perform. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.