Canberra Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
Canberra Symphony Orchestra is the principal professional orchestra of the Australian Capital Territory
based in Canberra
, the national capital of Australia
.
The orchestra comprises senior faculty members from the Australian National University
School of Music, senior students and professional instrumentalists. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Canberra Orchestral Society, an amateur body, with staff and students from the then Canberra School of Music. It was founded in 1966 by Ernest Llewellyn
, who was its conductor until 1980.
It has worked with leading Australian conductors including Richard Bonynge
and Geoffrey Lancaster
, and has presented Australian compositions by Peter Sculthorpe
and Larry Sitsky
.
It has given premieres of new works including the first Australian performance of the First Medtner Piano Concerto with soloist Geoffrey Tozer
(on 9 September 1992). It presents four subscription concerts each year, and collaborates with The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia
in providing musical services.
The orchestra's artistic director from 2001 until 2005 was Richard Gill
. Presently the orchestra's chief conductor is Nicholas Milton, a young Australian conductor now based in Germany
, who was also a former violinist with the Macquarie Trio. Milton is also General Music Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jena in Germany.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
based in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, the national capital of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The orchestra comprises senior faculty members from the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
School of Music, senior students and professional instrumentalists. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Canberra Orchestral Society, an amateur body, with staff and students from the then Canberra School of Music. It was founded in 1966 by Ernest Llewellyn
Ernest Llewellyn
Ernest Victor Llewellyn CBE was an Australian violinist, concertmaster, violist, conductor and musical administrator. He was the founding director of the Canberra School of Music and he is commemorated in the concert venue there, Llewellyn Hall.-Early career:Ernest Llewellyn was born in Kurri...
, who was its conductor until 1980.
It has worked with leading Australian conductors including Richard Bonynge
Richard Bonynge
Richard Alan Bonynge, AO, CBE is an Australian conductor and pianist.Bonynge was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys High School before studying piano at the Royal College of Music in London. He gave up his music scholarship, continuing his private piano studies, and became a coach for...
and Geoffrey Lancaster
Geoffrey Lancaster
Geoffrey Lancaster AM is an Australian classical pianist and conductor. Born in Sydney, he was raised in Dubbo, New South Wales before moving to Canberra. He attended the Canberra School of Music where he studied piano with Larry Sitsky...
, and has presented Australian compositions by Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Joshua Sculthorpe AO OBE is an Australian composer. Much of his music has resulted from an interest in the music of Australia's neighbours as well as from the impulse to bring together aspects of native Australian music with that of the heritage of the West...
and Larry Sitsky
Larry Sitsky
Lazar Sitsky AM, usually referred to as Larry Sitsky, born 10 September 1934, is an Australian composer, pianist, and music educator and scholar...
.
It has given premieres of new works including the first Australian performance of the First Medtner Piano Concerto with soloist Geoffrey Tozer
Geoffrey Tozer
Geoffrey Tozer was an Australian classical pianist and composer. As a child prodigy, he composed an opera at the age of eight, and became the youngest recipient of a Churchill Fellowship award at 13...
(on 9 September 1992). It presents four subscription concerts each year, and collaborates with The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia
Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
in providing musical services.
The orchestra's artistic director from 2001 until 2005 was Richard Gill
Richard Gill (conductor)
Richard James Gill OAM is an Australian conductor who has earned awards for his work. He conducts choral, orchestral and operatic works, and has been involved in music training and education...
. Presently the orchestra's chief conductor is Nicholas Milton, a young Australian conductor now based in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, who was also a former violinist with the Macquarie Trio. Milton is also General Music Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jena in Germany.