WASO 2013 Season

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra recently announced it’s 2013 season and brochures are now available from their website.  Next year sees the final year of Paul Daniel as Principal conductor, a position he has held since 2009.

During his tenure WASO has increased it’s popularity impressively and the acknowledgement that WASO is arguably the top orchestra in the nation is testament to their hard work and sheer talent.

Daniel’s interpretations of Beethoven and his focus on a more modern repertoire with composers such as Ravel, Sibelius and many other Twentieth Century composers have been greatly admired, by this concert goer in particular.  

His championing of contemporary Australian composition is also a worthy contribution to the musical culture of Western Australia and their commission program admirable.

Paul Daniel’s departure is fittingly marked by a selection of Gala concerts and his contribution to the Master’s Series, and leaves the door open to the incumbent Principal Conductor, Asher Fisch.

Both bi-centenaries being celebrated next year, those of Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi, are celebrated, most notably with the Verdi Requiem Gala, conducted by Daniel.  There is music by Wagner interspersed all year, take note of the Wesendonck Lieder with Perth audience favourite, Orla Boylan and other concerts with music from Tristan und Isolde and Tannhauser.  My only disappointment is that Wagner is not treated to a Gala of his own, though in December we do have the Ring Without Words, which I’m looking forward to immensely.

There are a number of special events worth noting on the calendar, including live performances of the complete soundtracks to Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.  Both performances are set to a screening of the movie.

Simone Young and Vladimir Verbitsky both return to conduct and soloists like Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Pinchas Zukerman also grace the stage of the Perth Concert Hall once again.  Other artists include Denis Kozhukhin, Gladys Knight, Sol Gabetta, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Ingrid Fliter, Alban Gerhard and Stefan Jackiw.

Expect to hear some exciting repertoire in next year’s season.  Works by Brahms, Beethoven, Richard Strauss, Ravel, Sibelius and Prokofiev feature prominently as do popular favourites from Tchaikovsky, Respighi, Gershwin and Mozart to name a few.  The programming is extensive and showcases the orchestra in many different genres from chamber music through to opera, ballet and oratorio.

It’s also interesting to note the various venues being used next year too.  Not content to perform solely at the Perth Concert Hall, WASO will also be seen at venues such as The Astor Theatre, Government House Ballroom and the Perth Zoo.

Check out the website for a full rundown on what’s happening next year, download a brochure and start planning next year’s concert going season.