Queensland Symphony Orchestra in February 2017 - Brave, Bold and Adventurous

This February, Queensland Symphony Orchestra launches with five extraordinary musical events, celebrating Chinese New Year on 9 February with the legendary Piers Lane before world renowned stars of classical music, Alondra de la Parra and Maxim Vengerov take centre stage commencing a remarkable program of brave, bold and adventurous orchestral music.

Thursday 9 February at 7.30pm, Concert Hall, QPAC (QSO WorldBeat)
YEAR OF THE ROOSTER
Conductor Dane Lam, Soprano Yafen, Erhu Ma Xiaohui, Pipa Zhao Cong, Piano Piers Lane, Violin Zoë Black
Program includes: Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Bao A Dialogue Of Flowers, Chindamo American Spirit, Tchaikovsky Waltz-Finale from Nutcracker, Gaun Fantasies Symphoniques - Farewell My Concubine, Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain, Cong Apsaras on the Silk Road, Tan Dun Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Concerto. Patron: His Excellency Mr Cheng Jingye, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Australia. The WorldBeat series is presented by NAB and supported by Brisbane City Council. In association with ACCCA. Friend of BrisAsia Festival.

Friday 17 February at 11am, Concert Hall, QPAC (QSO Morning Masterworks)
QSO, ALONDRA AND MAHLER 1
Conductor Alondra de la Parra, Piano Zhang Zuo (Zee Zee) Australian debut, QSO exclusive
Program: Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1, Mahler Symphony No.1 Titan
QSO's Morning Masterworks feature some of the finest repertoires ever created, presented by the best international conductors and soloists together with Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In February, QSO Music Director Alondra de la Parra continues her epic Mahler cycle with Symphony No.1 Titan. Exciting young pianist Zhang Zuo makes her Australian debut with Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No.1 Join like-minded music lovers for a complimentary morning tea before taking your seat in the Concert Hall for this feast of magnificent music. The QSO Music Director is proudly supported by Timothy Fairfax AC. Presented in association with QPAC. The Morning Masterworks series is proudly supported by 4MBS Classic FM.

Saturday 18 February at 7.30pm, Concert Hall, QPAC (QSO Maestro)
QSO, ALONDRA AND MAHLER 1
Conductor Alondra de la Parra, Piano Zhang Zuo (Zee Zee) Australian debut, QSO exclusive
Program: Wagner Tannhäuser Overture, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1, Mahler Symphony No.1 Titan
QSO's Music Director Alondra de la Parra opens QSO's 2017 Season with the next instalment of her epic Mahler cycle. The Titan, a work of brilliance and extraordinary scale, sets the composer on his journey as one of the great symphonists; the perfect gateway to a Mahler odyssey. Add Mendelssohn's glittering jewel of a concerto in the hands of young pianist Zhang Zuo, who brings enthusiasm, glamour and pure artistry to the stage on her Australian debut. Commencing with Wagner's grand Tannhäuser Overture, this bids fair to be an evening of power, sparkle and spectacle. The Tannhäuser Overture marks the commencement of QSO's 70th anniversary celebrations in 2017 and was the first work performed at QSO's inaugural concert in 1947 in Brisbane City Hall. The QSO Music Director is proudly supported by Timothy Fairfax AC. Presented in association with QPAC. Pre-concert talks at 6.30pm.  

Wednesday 22 February from 5.30pm for 6pm, QSO Studio, South Bank
IN CONVERSATION - MAXIM VENGEROV + ALONDRA DE LA PARRA
QSO's In Conversation series provides audiences with a deeper insight into the artists that grace our concert stage, in the intimate setting of the QSO Studio. Join QSO Music Director Alondra de la Parra and 2017 Artist-in-Residence Maxim Vengerov in a very special event that promises to be both illuminating and entertaining. Two of the world's most exciting and influential artists discuss what drives and inspires them, and what it means to be an integral part of QSO's 70th Anniversary celebrations. Complimentary drinks will be served in the foyer prior to the event from 5.30pm. The QSO Music Director is proudly supported by Timothy Fairfax AC. The Artist-in-Residence program is supported by the T & J St Baker Charitable Trust, and The University of Queensland.

Thursday 23 February at 7.30pm, Concert Hall, QPAC (Special Event)
VENGEROV IN RECITAL
Violin Maxim Vengerov, Piano Roustem Saïtkoulov
Program: Schubert Grand Duo in A Major, Beethoven Sonata No.7 in C Minor, Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, Ernst Variations on the Irish Folk Song The Last Rose of Summer, Paganini Cantabile, Paganini (arr. Kreisler)
Maxim Vengerov makes a triumphant return to Queensland with this special event that marks the start of his tenure as QSO 2017 Artist-in-Residence. An up close and personal concert recital, featuring some of the world's greatest violin music, played by the world's greatest violinist. Joined by regular collaborator Roustem Saïtkoulov on piano, seminal works by Schubert, Beethoven and Ravel will be followed by Ernst's fiendishly difficult Variations for solo violin, before returning to the sonata format with Paganini. An unforgettable evening in the great tradition of violin recitals, this is a concert not to be missed. The Artist-in-Residence program is supported by the T & J St Baker Charitable Trust and The University of Queensland. Co-presented by QSO and QPAC.