Celebrated conductor to lead Symphony Orchestra
This year the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s (SCM) Symphony Orchestra will fall under the formidable expertise of world renown violin soloist and conductor, Ola Rudner. Maestro Rudner will lead the orchestra in a program of Brahms’ Violin Concerto with soloist Timothy Yu, winner of the SCM Concerto Competition, and Sibelius’ Symphony No.2.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music Dean and Head of School, Professor Anna Reid reflected on the unique gift this opportunity offers in providing musicians with a chance to work with such an esteemed artist.
It is a testament to the calibre of the SCM that we are able to attract such outstanding talent as Ola Rudner.
"When our musicians come together, there’s an energy generated that comes from a hunger for new experiences that is only surpassed by the opportunity to work with and learn from someone as celebrated as Ola Rudner. It will be a truly captivating and memorable performance.”
Mr Scott Ryan, Artistic Planning Manager of the SCM said the performance is a wonderful chance for audiences to witness the SCM’s quality and dedication to music in a live performance context.
“The combination of forces on stage coupled with the music of Brahms and Sibelius will ensure audiences continue to demand to hear performances by Sydney Conservatorium of Music students.”
In the weeks leading to the performance, the orchestra will prepare with tutors from the SCM. Maestro Rudner will then rehearse with the SCM Symphony Orchestra every afternoon in the lead up to Friday’s concert. These rehearsals will expose SCM students to the expectations of the profession and give them experience of working with a renowned conductor who has led orchestras around the world.
Maestro Rudner will also hold violin masterclasses and conducting masterclasses with SCM violin, string and conducting students, giving them a unique and invaluable opportunity to observe and learn from one of the world’s great violin performers and pedagogues.
Hailed as one of the leading conductors of his generation, Maestro Rudner’s conducting repertoire spans operatic and symphonic works from major opera companies and orchestras across the world. He is currently in high demand appearing with the major orchestras and opera houses both in Europe and Australia.
Viewed by many as the pinnacle of the SCM pathway to a professional career, the forthcoming Symphony Orchestra performance plays a central role in the development of Australia’s classical musicians.
Soloist Timothy Yu completed his Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2019 and was concertmaster of the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed in masterclasses with Midori Gotō and Mauricio Fuks, and won the 2018 Gisborne International Music Competition. He is currently a violin fellow with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra with Ola Rudner will present their performance on one night only on Friday 25 March in the Verbrugghen Hall at the SCM.
Image: Courtesy of Ola Rudner. Photography: Nancy Horowitz