Haydn's Cello Concerto

Composed by Melody Eötvös (b.1984)

8 minutes


Australian composer Melody Eötvös is known for creating music that is imaginative, colourful and full of atmosphere. In The Saqqara Bird, she turns to one of history’s enduring mysteries for inspiration.

The piece is named after a small wooden object discovered in an ancient Egyptian tomb at Saqqara, near Cairo. Dating back more than 2,000 years, the artefact resembles a bird with wide, angled wings. Some believe it may simply be a toy or symbolic carving, while others have suggested it could represent an early understanding of flight. Its true purpose remains unknown, which is part of what fascinated Eötvös.

Rather than telling a literal story, the music captures the sense of wonder and possibility surrounding the object. From the opening moments, the orchestra creates a shimmering and unsettled sound world. Lines rise and fall like currents of air, while sudden bursts of rhythm and colour suggest movement, energy and flight. At times the music feels suspended and dreamlike; at others it surges forward with urgency and excitement.

Eötvös uses the orchestra almost like a painter uses colour, layering textures and timbres to create vivid musical images. You might hear flickering wings, vast desert spaces or the thrill of discovery.

Even without knowing the history behind the artefact, The Saqqara Bird invites listeners to imagine, explore and experience the mystery for themselves.

Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809)

26 minutes


Joseph Haydn is often called the ‘father of the symphony’, but he was also a brilliant writer for solo instruments. His Cello Concerto in D is one of the most loved works in the cello repertoire, combining elegance, humour and dazzling virtuosity.

Written in the early 1780s, the concerto reflects Haydn’s gift for creating music that feels both sophisticated and immediately enjoyable. The cello is treated not just as a deep, warm orchestral instrument, but as a true star capable of speed, sparkle and expressive beauty.

The first movement opens with bright, confident energy before the solo cello enters with music full of agility and charm. Haydn constantly plays with contrast – flowing melodies give way to quick bursts of excitement, and the soloist moves effortlessly between lyrical warmth and athletic brilliance.

The second movement reveals a more intimate side of the instrument. Here, the cello sings long, graceful lines with a calm and almost vocal quality. The orchestra supports gently, allowing the soloist’s sound to glow.

In the final movement, Haydn’s playful personality comes to the fore. The music dances along with wit, elegance and quicksilver energy, demanding extraordinary precision and lightness from the soloist. There is a sense of joy throughout, as though the orchestra and soloist are delighting in each other’s company.

More than two centuries later, the concerto remains fresh, uplifting and full of life. It’s a reminder of Haydn’s remarkable ability to entertain, surprise and move his audience.

Composed by Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)

32 minutes


Robert Schumann composed his Symphony No 3, the ‘Rhenish’, in 1850 after moving with his wife Clara to Düsseldorf in western Germany. The region sits alongside the Rhine River, and Schumann was deeply inspired by its landscapes, culture and sense of vitality. The symphony reflects the excitement and optimism he felt during this period of his life.

Unlike most symphonies of the time, the ‘Rhenish’ has five movements instead of four, giving Schumann more room to explore different moods and musical scenes. The opening movement begins boldly and confidently, with sweeping melodies and rich orchestral textures that suggest the grandeur and movement of the Rhine itself. There is an uplifting, open-air quality to the music that makes it feel expansive and full of life.

The middle movements offer contrast and variety. One has the character of a rustic folk dance, while another feels more flowing and lyrical. Schumann’s orchestration is warm and colourful throughout, creating music that feels emotionally direct and vivid.

The fourth movement is the emotional heart of the symphony. Inspired by a solemn ceremony in Cologne Cathedral, it has a majestic and spiritual atmosphere, led by powerful brass writing that feels almost ceremonial.

The final movement returns to brighter, celebratory music, bringing the symphony to an energetic and joyful conclusion. The ‘Rhenish’ captures both the beauty of a place and the emotional richness of Romantic music at its most expressive.