Orchestra Victoria returns to the Melbourne Town Hall to perform a free twilight concert led by Principal Guest Conductor, Marko Letonja. Orchestra Victoria will perform two invigorating works: Rimsky-Korsakov s Capriccio Espagnol Op 34 and Dmitri Shostakovich s Symphony No. 1.
Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34 is a work based on Spanish melodies. Written in 1887, it was originally intended for solo violin but Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov later decided that the melodies would be better demonstrated by a full orchestra. The Capriccio calls on a large percussion section and asks the violins, violas and celli to imitate guitars.
Symphony No. 1 was written between 1924 and 1925 and first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1926.

Dimitri Shotstakovich wrote this work as his graduation piece, completing it at the age of 19. The work consists of four movements, the last two are played without interruption resulting in a breathtaking 30 minutes of non-stop music. As a special highlight to the programme, renowned Australian organist David Drury will perform William Lovelock s Sinfonia Concertante with Orchestra Victoria on the magnificent Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ. Composer William Lovelock was born in London in
1899 and moved to Brisbane in 1956. He wrote the majestic Sinfonia Concertante in 1968 whilst teaching at the Queensland State Conservatory. The work is rarely played and is a hidden gem.