4MBS Festival of Classics 2023: Celebrating 30 years!

4MBS FESTIVAL OF CLASSICS
12 May to 11 June 2023

30 concerts in 30 days!

Welcome to the 4MBS Festival of Classics, Australia’s largest classical music festival, which provides professional performance opportunities for hundreds of Queensland artists each year.

In 2023, we celebrate 30 years of the Festival!

Highlights include a ‘Beethoven Top 10 Piano Sonatas’ day at UQ, ‘An Evening With Mirusia’ at Brisbane City Hall’s elegant Ithaca Auditorium, a music-infused play called ‘I Shall Hear in Heaven’ by Tama Matheson, and an ‘Opera Spectacular’ in the magnificent Main Auditorium of Brisbane City Hall.

Program Summary:

Click highlighted links in table to view full event details.

Festival Brochure:

DON QUIXOTE – A MUSICAL QUEST

QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 
Conducted by UMBERTO CLERICI
With PIERS LANE, piano, and EUGENE GILFEDDER, narrator

EVENT 1 | Fri 12 May 7.30pm | Concert Hall, QPAC
EVENT 2 | Sat 13 May 1.30pm | Concert Hall, QPAC

MOZART Piano Concerto No.24 | With PIERS LANE, piano
STRAUSS Don Quixote | With EUGENE GILFEDDER, narrator,
HYUNG SUK BAE, cello, and IMANTS LARSENS, viola

Featuring a mix of theatrical and visual elements, with the glorious music of Richard Strauss, UMBERTO CLERICI and QSO musicians will conjure up the famous story of Don Quixote, the nobleman who deludes himself into thinking he is a knight. This concert will also feature drama of a different kind when Queensland favourite PIERS LANE performs Mozart’s 24th Piano Concerto – one of his most dramatic pieces for piano and orchestra.

THE KING SHALL REJOICE

THE QUEENSLAND CHOIR
SINFONIA OF ST ANDREWS
Conducted by KEVIN POWER
With LEANNE KENNEALLY, soprano | SHIKARA RINGDAHL, mezzo-soprano
SEBASTIAN MACLAINE, tenor | LEON WARNOCK, baritone

EVENT 3 | Sun 14 May 2.15pm | St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane

A week after the coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey,
THE QUEENSLAND CHOIR presents a program of gloriously majestic coronation music. The magnificent St John’s Cathedral will be filled with the regal sound of Handel’s famous anthem, Zadok the Priest, performed at every coronation since King Charles II in 1727. Grand works by Mozart, Elgar, Parry, Vaughan Williams and others will also make this concert fit for a monarch. 

PARRY | I was glad 
HANDEL | Zadok the Priest | The King Shall Rejoice               
CLARKE | Trumpet Tune in D with Air
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS | The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune
MOZART | Mass No.15 in C K317 ‘Coronation Mass’
ELGAR | Land of Hope and Glory from Coronation Ode

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5
Adult $60 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $55 | F/T Student/Child  $15

TO LIFE!

ENHARMONIE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

ALLAN HALL, cello
TERTIA HOGAN, piano
LEE NORRELL, flute
With BERNARD WHEATON, tenor

EVENT 4 | Wed 17 May 7pm 4MBS Performance Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

Full of joie de vivre, this concert draws on a wide variety of music in celebration of life in all its stages, from birth, youth, falling in love, the birth of children, anniversaries and death. 

The concert features tenor BERNARD WHEATON singing Franz Lehar’s You are My Heart’s Delight, Kurt Weill’s Saga of Jenny, Frank Bridge’s Love went A-Riding and Gerald Finzi’s Fear No More. Instrumental works include Sculthorpe’s Threnody, Debussy’s Children’s Corner Suite plus works by Fauré, Grieg, and others.

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5
Adult $30 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $25 | F/T Student $25 | Child $10

CLASSIC JAZZ

ALEX RAINERI, piano
QYO BIG BAND
JOHN REEVES TRIO
MUSAEUS CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE 

EVENT 5  | Thu 18 May 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm) | Brisbane Jazz Club,
1 Annie Street, Kangaroo Point

Classical meets jazz when 4MBS joins the Brisbane Jazz Club to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the birth of George Gershwin – a composer who bridged the gap between the two styles. Hear pianist ALEX RAINERI perform Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue with the QYO BIG BAND, plus other Gershwin favourites in the riverside venue, the Brisbane Jazz Club. Other performers for the night include the JOHN REEVES TRIO and the MUSAEUS CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE. 

Meals and refreshments available for purchase from 6.30pm.

Or call (07) 3391 2006 
Adult $39 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $29

Discount for 4MBS Subscribers: Quote promo code 4MBSCFM23 when booking.
4MBS Subscribers may need to show their Subscriber Discount Cards at the door for discounted pricing.

YOUNG VIRTUOSI CONCERT – Stars of the Future

EIN NA, violin
DYLAN YOU, clarinet
JEREMY SUN, piano
NICHOLAS SHI, cello

EVENT 6 | Fri 19 May 6pm | SunPAC Theatre, 470 McCullough St, Sunnybank

Discover the future stars of classical music in this concert featuring local young talented musicians – violinist Ein Na, clarinettist DYLAN YOU, pianist JEREMY SUN, and cellist NICHOLAS SHI.

MacGregor State School Camerata and String Quartet will perform  in the foyer at 5:30pm.

Or call (07) 3323 9650
Adult $28 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $25 | Ages 5-16 $15 | Under 5 on the lap $0 | Family of 4 $70

BEETHOVEN TOP 10 PIANO SONATAS

Sat 20 May 10am-5pm | Nickson Room, Zelman Cowen Building, University of Queensland, St Lucia

Immerse yourself in a day of Beethoven’s most popular piano sonatas performed by top Queensland pianists. Follow the development of Beethoven’s piano sonatas from one of his earliest delightful works through the groundbreaking later works spread over 22 years of his life. Sample individual concerts, or experience the entire journey!

Light refreshments available for purchase. Parking available on campus. 

EVENT 7  (Concert 1) 10am
No.9 in E major, op.14 no.1 MAI-LIEN OLSSON
No.8 Pathétique KEVIN POWER

EVENT 8  (Concert 2) 11am
No.14 Moonlight JOHN GRANGER FISHER
No.17 The Tempest MARK HOOPER

EVENT 9  (Concert 3) 1pm
No.21 The Waldstein LIAM VINEY
No.23 Appassionata MITCHELL LEIGH

EVENT 10 (Concert 4) 2.15pm
No.24 A Thérèse SAXON MILLS-BOOTH
No.26 Les Adieux JEREMY SUN
No.31 in A-flat, op.110 MARK HOOPER

EVENT 11 (Concert 5) 3.30pm
No.29 Hammerklavier ALEX RAINERI

Or call 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5

Per concert:     Adult $30 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $25 | F/T Student $15
All day pass:    Adult $120 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $100 

EARTH WATER FIRE

QUEENSLAND YOUTH SYMPHONY
Conducted by SIMON HEWETT

EVENT 12 | Sat 20 May 7pm | Concert Hall, QPAC

See the next generation of music stars take to the stage in this evocative performance from the QUEENSLAND YOUTH SYMPHONY. 

Debussy’s La Mer is perhaps the most famous musical depiction of the beauty, majesty, and awesome power of the sea. Acclaimed Queensland composer and digeridoo player William Barton brings us back home with his moving portrayal of connection to country in Apii Thatini Mu Murtu (To sing and carry a coolamon on country together).

The premiere of a new ballet version of the ancient Russian fairytale The Firebird in 1910 established Stravinsky as the leading composer of his generation. Stravinsky’s orchestra sounds both archaic and modern: exotic harmonies are contrasted with Russian folk melodies; the sinister, primal energies of the famous ‘Infernal Dance’ resolves into lyrical grandeur and a dazzling final climax.

DEBUSSY La Mer
BARTON Apii Thatini Mu Murtu (To sing and carry a coolamon on country together)
STRAVINSKY The Firebird

Or call QTIX on 136 246
Adult $45 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $38 | F/T Student $18

SPOTLIGHT ON BRUCKNER

BRISBANE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conducted by PAUL DEAN

EVENT 13 | Sun 21 May 3pm, Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, 406 Montague Rd, West End

Experience Bruckner’s 7th Symphony which he wrote as a tribute to Wagner. Perhaps the most famous of Bruckner’s symphonies, it employs the use of ‘Wagner tubas’ – mellow-toned brass instruments that were commissioned and named after Richard Wagner, combining the technical features of standard tubas and French horns. In this performance, audiences will be treated to a line up of eight horn players, with four doubling on the Wagner tubas. Chief conductor, PAUL DEAN will lead the orchestra through this epic work, as well as joining violist friend and fellow Ensemble Q member, IMANTS LARSEN to perform Bruch’s Double Concerto for Clarinet and Viola. Written for his clarinettist son, this is a rarely-performed and unusual work. To celebrate its first performance at the Thomas Dixon Centre, the orchestrawill also give a special rare performance of the symphonic poem D’un soir triste by Lili Boulanger.

BOULANGER D’un soir triste (A Sad Evening)  
BRUCH Double Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra (with Paul Dean and Immants Larsen)   
BRUCKNER Symphony No.7

Discount for 4MBS Subscribers | Quote 4MBSSUB when booking

A Reserve Adult $48 | A Reserve Conc $40 | B Reserve Adult $40 | B Reserve Conc $35 | Stud $25 | Child $20 | Companion Free

BOHEMIAN DREAMS

QUEENSLAND BAROQUE
JOHN FOSTER, Artistic Director

EVENT 14 | Sun 21 May 3pm | City Tabernacle Baptist Church
163 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill

Be transported by some of the most beautiful Baroque music ever written in an afternoon devoted to the mastery of Bohemian Baroque composers. Hear orchestral and chamber works as they would have been enjoyed originally by the ‘Prince Archbishop’ in the castle of Kroměříž, featuring glorious sounds of Baroque strings and wind instruments.

Schmelzer, Johann Heinrich | Arie per il Balleto á Cavallo, Harmonia á5
von Biber, Heinrich | Sonata IV á5
Schmelzer, Johann Heinrich | Sonata in C Major
Bertali, Antonio | Sonata á6
von Biber, Heinrich | Passacaglia
Rittler, Philipp Jakob | Chaconne á7
von Biber, Heinrich | Battalia

A Reserve Adult $50 | B Reserve Adult $40 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $30

AN EVENING WITH MIRUSIA

EVENT 15 | Tue 23 May 7pm | Ithaca Auditorium, Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane City

Luxuriate in a gorgeous evening of classical arias and songs with internationally-renowned Brisbane soprano MIRUSIA. She will be joined by young guest mezzo-soprano EMMA KAVANAGH for songs including Delibes’ divine Flower Duet from Lakmé, which the duo had the honour of performing at the 2023 Australia Day Live concert at the Sydney Opera House. They will be accompanied by virtuosic musician ALEX RAINERI at the grand piano, in the elegant Ithaca Auditorium of Brisbane City Hall.

Named ‘The Angel of Australia’ by popular Dutch violinist André Rieu, Mirusia was the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award, and has since gained 17 years of extensive international touring and performing experience. Mirusia’s magical voice and charming stage presence are not to be missed! Refreshments available for purchase from 6pm.

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5

Premium $60 | A Reserve Adult $50 | A Reserve 4MBS Subs/Con $45 |A Reserve F/T Student $30
B Reserve Adult $45 | B Reserve 4MBS Sub/Con $40 |B Reserve F/T Student $30

FROM MY HOMELAND

CAMERATA – QUEENSLAND’S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
With WILLIAM BARTON, didgeridoo | Véronique Serret, violin

EVENT 16 | Thu 25 May 7pm | Concert Hall,QPAC
EVENT 17 | Fri 26 May 7pm | Empire Theatres,Toowoomba

Discover evocative and profound Australian music that explores individual stories and our connection to place. Camerata will intertwine works from esteemed Australian composers in an expressive and heartfelt performance for chamber orchestra.

From the sorrowful melodies in Kelly’s Elegy in Memoriam Rupert Brook, the syncopated, step-like rhythms of Gifford’s Bardju (Footprints) to the colourful yet brooding Lines of the Southern Cross (Patrick), this performance explores the full breadth of emotion.

The concert features special guests William Barton, leading Australian didgeridoo virtuoso and composer, and the dynamic and versatile violinist, Véronique Serret, for their work Bushfire Requiem in a brand-new version for chamber orchestra.

Sutherland, Margaret | Concerto for Strings
Frederick Septimus Kelly | Elegy In Memoriam Rupert Brooke
Gifford, Brenda | Bardju (Footprints)
Patrick, Cameron | Lines of the Southern Cross
Barton, William and Serret, Véronique | Bushfire Requiem
Wild Card Mystery Guest

Brisbane Tickets:
Premium $99 | A-Reserve | Adult $89 | 4MBS Sub $80.10 | Conc $75 | Youth $45 | Stud/Child $33

Toowoomba Tickets:
A Reserve $70 – all tickets | B Reserve | Adult $60 | 4MBS Sub $54 | Conc $49 | Stud/Child $33

SHOSTAKOVICH SYMPHONY NO.11 “THE YEAR 1905”

CONSERVATORIUM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOHANNES FRITZSCH

EVENT 18 | Fri 26 May 7.30pm | Queensland Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank

JOHANNES FRITZSCH conducts the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra in a program that includes the epic 11th Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. The subtitle of this symphony refers to the year of the Russian Revolution. Written in 1957, it was given its first performance outside of the Soviet Union in 1958, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent in London, and has proven one of Shostakovich’s most popular and enduring pieces since. Also included in this program is Avner Dorman’s Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!, a concerto for two percussionists and orchestra. 

$10 off Adult ticket price for 4MBS Subscribers | Quote 4MBS when booking

Or call QTIX on 136 246
Adult $45 | 4MBS Sub/Con $35 | Non-Griffith Students $25

HOWARD AINSWORTH MEMORIAL CONCERT:
SCHUBERT THE GREAT

ORCHESTRA CORDA SPIRITUS
Conducted by Chen Yang | With John Granger Fisher, piano

EVENT 19 | Sat 27 May 7.30pm | The Old Museum Concert Hall, 480 Gregory Tce, Bowen Hills

Let your spirit soar with this concert of majestic, evocative works performed by ORCHESTRA CORDA SPIRITUS. Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture (also known as ‘Fingal’s Cave’) will begin the concert, depicting the turbulent, rolling ocean punctuated by moments of tranquility. Hear renowned pianist John Granger Fisher perform Mozart’s beautiful D minor Piano Concerto, before the orchestra finishes with Franz Schubert’s majestic Symphony No. 9 known as The Great.

Enquiries  [email protected] or 3257 4089
Adult $33 | 4MBS Sub/Con $28 | F/T Student $20 | Children under 18 Free

MR’S MARK’S CUSHION CONCERTS

MARK HOOPER, piano

EVENT 20 | Sun 28 May 9.30am (45 mins) | 5 and under

EVENT 21 | Sun 28 May 11am (45 mins) | Over 5

4MBS Performance Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

Come and meet the Trumpet and its family!
MARK HOOPER (‘Mr Mark’) has been entertaining and educating children since he was a music student at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Royal College of Music, London. He has refined and polished the art of introducing children to musical instruments and music. Mr Mark regularly performs concerts for children, with guest musicians.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring cushions to sit on the floor. 

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5
Adult $20 | 4MBS Sub/Con $15 | Children $10

BACH TO THE MENDELSSOHNS

BRISBANE CHORALE
With SARAH CRANE, soprano
ANNE FULTON, alto
PAUL MCMAHON, tenor
SHAUN BROWN, baritone

SINFONIA OF ST ANDREW’S 
Conducted by EMILY COX AM

EVENT 22 | Sun 28 May 2.30pm | St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane 

Experience the musical bonds between the Mendelssohn siblings and their idol J.S. Bach, in this uplifting afternoon of music. Felix’s older sister Fanny was his confidante and adviser. While Felix was gaining recognition as a composer and touring Europe as a conductor, Fanny was quietly composing some 500 pieces of music while managing the family household. It is her dramatically beautiful Oratorio which features in this concert, alongside one of Felix Mendelssohn’s most beautiful works, Psalm 42.  Companions to these will be two much-loved works by J.S. Bach.

MENDELSSOHN HENSEL, FANNY | Oratorio on Scenes from the Bible
MENDELSSOHN, FELIX | Psalm 42 – As the Deer Longs for Water
BACH, J.S | Magnificat (mvt 1) | Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5
Adult $55 | Concession $50 | Group of 10 or more $45 | Family (4+) $130 | Full-time student  $20

AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE IN POETRY AND MUSIC

Catherine Guinevere Lynagh, Curator and Pianist Alexander Voltz, Orator

EVENT 23 | Tue 30 May 7pm | 4MBS Performance Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

For centuries, composers have set poetry to music, giving us chant, chaussons, lieder, art song and even opera and music theatre. Catherine Lynagh has taken a slightly different approach, choosing poetry that expresses and celebrates the wonder of our Australian landscape and matched it to evocative and beautiful works by Australian composers. 

Hear music by Anne Carr-Boyd, Miriam Hyde, Wendy Hiscocks, Kitty Parker (student of Percy Grainger) plus Queensland composers Learne Faint, Graeme Denniss and Brenton Broadstock. With poetry by Roland Robinson, David Campbell, Kenneth MacKenzie, W. Flexmore Hudson, Rex Ingamells, Gail Kay, Graeme Denniss and Barcroft Boake.

Or call (07) 3847 1717  weekdays 9–5
Adults $35 | 4MBS Sub/Con $30 | Child $20 

AN EVENING WITH MAHLER – A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

EUGENE GILFEDDER, actor/writer/director

EVENT 24 | Wed 31 May 7pm | 4MBS Performance Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

First commissioned for the 2010 4MBS Festival of Classics, this 60-minute one-man multi-media play explores the turbulent life of composer Gustav Mahler and his most renowned compositions. Multi-award-winning local actor/writer/director EUGENE GILFEDDER embodies Mahler, taking the audience through the highs and lows of the composer’s music career and personal life, enhanced by recordings of his music. Born 1860 in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Mahler spent his childhood in Germany and became a leading orchestral and operatic conductor, and one of the leading late-Romantic/early-Modernistic composers. He sought to expand the scope and breadth of the symphony, believing that it should “take in the whole world”.

Or call (07) 3847 1717  weekdays 9–5
Adults $25 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $20  

I SHALL HEAR IN HEAVEN

Written and Directed by TAMA MATHESON

EVENT 25 | Sat 3 June 2pm | Grand Hall, Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann St, Brisbane City

EVENT 26 | Sun 4 June 2pm | Grand Hall, Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann St, Brisbane City

Travel back to Beethoven’s world with this moving and humorous music-infused play, presented in the historic Masonic Memorial Centre.

Created and performed by Brisbane-raised, France-based writer/director/actor TAMA MATHESON, this original production explores the incredible life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and the people pivotal to him (played by FRANCIS MCMAHON and VANESSA MOLTZEN).

Beethoven’s music will be performed by a virtuoso string quartet led by WARWICK ADENEY (former Queensland Symphony Orchestra concertmaster), with internationally-acclaimed pianist JOHN GRANGER FISHER.

Don’t miss the Australian premiere of this dynamic work which has received rave reviews in the UK.
“Extraordinary and absolutely fabulous. Wonderful combination of excellent drama and classical music.” – UK audience member

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5

Adult $45 | 4MBS Sub/Conc $40 | F/T Student $25

THE TWILIGHT OF WAGNER

EUGENE GILFEDDER, actor/writer/director

EVENT 27 | Wed 7 June 7pm | 4MBS Performance Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

Brilliant Queensland actor/writer/director Eugene Gilfedder presents another 4MBS-commissioned play. This one-man multimedia work sees Eugene Gilfedder becoming the great German composer Richard Wagner, most famous for his operas. With recorded music samples, it takes the audience through the saga of the composition of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, which will be presented in Brisbane later this year.

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5
Adults $25 | 4MBS Sub/Concession $20  

PIANO QUARTETS ACROSS THE CENTURIES

GOLD COAST PIANO QUARTET

Nigel Bardsley, violin
Nick Stefan, viola
Belinda Manwaring, cello
Sarka Budinska, piano

EVENT 28 | Fri 9 June 7pm | 4MBS Performance Studio,384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

A selection of sublime music detailing through film and dance music, culminating with the mighty Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet op.1, his first foray into the world of chamber music. 

Bridge, Frank | Phantasy in F# minor, H.94
Dvořák, Antonin | Bagatelles, op.47
Shostakovich, Dmitri | Five pieces for two violins, cello and piano
Mendelssohn, Felix | Piano Quartet in C minor, op.1

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9–5
Adult $35 | 4MBS Sub/Con $30 | F/T Student & Child $25

A BAROQUE CELEBRATION

ARIOSO CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

Judit Molnár, soprano
Margaret Caley, baroque violin
Shannon Scheltema, viola da gamba
Janet Brewer, harpsichord

EVENT 29 | Sat 10 June 2.30pm | Holy Trinity Church, 141 Brookes St, Fortitude Valley

Enjoy exciting and joyous Baroque music, including Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and Vivaldi’s solo motet Nulla in mundo pax sincera, as well as works by JS Bach, H Purcell and Rameau.

Or call (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9–5 
Adult $37 | 4MBS Subs Conc $32 | F/T Student $32 | Child  $16

OPERA SPECTACULAR

ENSEMBLE Q ORCHESTRA
EVA KONG, soprano | MILIJANA NIKOLIC, mezzo-soprano
ROSARIO LA SPINA, tenor | JOSÉ CARBÓ, baritone
Conducted by TAHU MATHESON | Narrated by TAMA MATHESON

EVENT 30 | Sun 11 June 3pm | Main Auditorium, City Hall, Brisbane City

Farewell the 30th Festival on a high note! Hear stirring arias from the greatest operas of all time, performed by four brilliant Queensland stars of opera. This gala concert will include excerpts from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, performed by soprano EVA KONG, fresh from starring in the successful Sydney ‘Opera on the Harbour’ season. Brisbane-raised Opera Australia Music Director TAHU MATHESON will return to conduct once more at the festival that launched his career! Joining him on stage to narrate will be his younger brother TAMA MATHESON, returning to the festival from his theatre career in Europe and the UK. 

Or phone (07) 3847 1717 weekdays 9-5 

Balcony: Premium$89 | A Reserve Adult $75 | A Reserve 4MBS Sub/Conc $65 | A Reserve F/T Student $30
Stalls: Premium $89 | A Reserve Adult $60 | A Reserve 4MBS Sub/Conc $55 | A Reserve F/T Student $30
B Reserve Adult $50 | B Reserve 4MBS Sub/Conc $45 | B Reserve F/T Student $30

Special Radio Events

Tune into 4MBS Classic FM 103.7 for these radio programs
inspired by The Great Romantics!

FRIDAY CONCERT HALL
Fri 12 May 2pm-4pm Festival Special: Thirty Years Ago

Thirty years ago, 4MBS Classic FM presented the first ‘Coorparoo Festival of Fine Music’.  That first festival of eight concerts was spread over one weekend. From that beginning, the event – now named the ‘4MBS Festival of Classics’ –  has grown to some thirty events, spread now over a month. This program will broadcast a re-creation of that first festival’s opening concert, given by the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. Their brief was ‘popular, entertaining music’, and it certainly was that.

While we don’t have the original performers in this broadcast, the recordings, in almost all cases, are of Queensland performers, a policy to which the Festival proudly adheres.

MOZART | Serenade no 13 in G, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K525; Ens I 
VIVALDI | The Four Seasons, op 8, Concerto no 2 in G min, Summer, RV315; QSO C Players 
MOZART | Symphony no 40 in G min, K550; Brisbane PO, Sergei Korshmin 
HANDEL | Music for the Royal Fireworks, La Rejouissance; John Coulton, tr; Chris Williams, tr; QPO, Patrick Pickett 
PACHELBEL | Canon & Gigue in D, Canon; QSO, Wilfred Lehmann 
TCHAIKOVSKY The Nutcracker, Concert Suite, op 71a, excerpts; Brisbane PO, Philip Davis 
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Flight of the Bumble-Bee; QSO, Vladimir Verbitsky 
BEETHOVEN Symphony no 5 in C min, op 67, 3rd & 4th movts; QPO, Georg Tintner 
BRAHMS orch SCHMELING Hungarian Dance no 5 in F sharp min; QSO, Vanco Cavdarski 
KHACHATURIAN Spartacus, Suite no 2, Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia; QSO, Patrick Thomas 
SULLIVAN The Gondoliers, Take a pair of sparkling eyes; Thomas Edmonds, t; ASO, James Christiansen 

On average, the Festival features 20-30 concerts in  10-15 venues, predominantly in Brisbane but throughout south-east Queensland. The Festival also extends to the airwaves, where we broadcast featured music programs surrounding that year’s theme.

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