Concert Program

Australia: One Land, Many Stories

Thursday 19 Jun 2025 6pm
Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart

Storytelling with an
orchestra, from First Nations
voices to bush ballads.
A young girl with a bright smile and wearing a denim jacket is seated in an audience on red cushioned chairs. The blurred background of other attendees highlights her joyful expression, suggesting a lively or engaging event.

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra acknowledges the traditional owners and continuing custodians of Lutruwita / Tasmania. We pay respect to the Aboriginal community today, and to its Elders past and present. We recognise a history of truth, which acknowledges the impacts of colonisation upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and stand for a future that profoundly respects their stories, culture, language and history.

About the concert

Works

Welcome to Country Davina Cox

Aaron Wyatt The things which are important don’t always scream the loudest *

Maria Grenfell Rock Hopping *

Beethoven Thunderstorm from Symphony No 6

Bach Keyboard Concerto No 1, Movement 3
Soloist Anna Bosveld, Rising Star Winner 2025

Peter Winkler The Kookaburra who Stole the Moon*

Songs of Australia Folk Medley (Botany Bay, Waltzing Matilda, Click go the Shears)*

*Indicates an Australian composer or music

Want to know more about the extraordinary percussion kit?

When composer Iain Grandage wrote Dances with Devils for percussionist Claire Edwardes, he knew she would be willing to ‘push boundaries’.
Together, Iain and Claire built the tubular bell apparatus that Claire wears on stage during the performance.
Read more here.

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Aaron Wyatt. Image credit Jessica Bader Photography.

Concert 101: Learn about the works being performed

For the enjoyment of all in the concert hall, please only watch Concert 101 before or after the performance. 

Uncover the stories behind the works.

Seduction. Deception. Downfall.

Don Giovanni, Overture

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

6 minutes

Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni is the dramatic opening to one of his most famous operas, Don Giovanni. First performed in 1787, the opera tells the story of Don Giovanni (also known as Don Juan), a charming and dangerous man who lives for pleasure and leaves chaos behind him. It’s a tale full of humour, romance, danger, and the supernatural – like a mix between James Bond, Phantom of the Opera, and Breaking Bad!

The overture begins with three powerful, slow chords that immediately create a sense of mystery and doom. These chords return at the very end of the opera, when Don Giovanni meets a terrifying fate. After this dark opening, the music suddenly shifts into a fast, lively section full of excitement and energy.

Mozart wrote this overture the night before the opera’s premiere. According to legend, he stayed up all night writing it, and the ink was still wet when it was passed to the musicians. Despite the rush, the overture is a masterclass in musical storytelling.

In concert performances, the overture is often played on its own without going straight into the opera. It still works beautifully, thanks to its dramatic contrasts, vivid character, and the sense that something big is about to unfold. Even if you don’t know the opera, the music takes you on a thrilling ride.

Hauntingly beautiful.

The Swan of Tuonela

Composed by Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957)

10 minutes

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The names of movements in symphonies often follow traditional conventions that give insight into the character, tempo, and sometimes the form of each section.

These terms not only instruct performers on the tempo and mood of each movement but also guide listeners through the emotional and narrative arc of the symphony. For example, ‘Allegro’ refers to tempo and ‘molto’ translates to very, so: very fast!

Jean Sibelius’ The Swan of Tuonela is one of his most haunting and beautiful pieces. Written in 1895, it’s part of a group of works based on the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic – a collection of ancient stories filled with magic, heroes, and spirits. In this piece, Sibelius paints a musical picture of a mysterious swan gliding across the dark waters of Tuonela, the land of the dead.

This isn’t a dramatic story with action and battles. Instead, it’s quiet, slow, and dreamlike – like the atmosphere of a gothic film or a slow-burn episode from Game of Thrones. The swan, a symbol of beauty and peace, floats through this eerie underworld, untouched by the danger around it. You can almost see the mist and hear the stillness.

Sibelius uses a cor anglais – a cousin of the oboe with a darker, almost melancholic sound (played tonight by TSO’s Principal Cor Anglais, Dinah Woods) – to sing the swan’s lonely melody. This is supported by soft strings and distant brass, creating a sound that’s both calm and unsettling. There’s no big climax, just a slow, steady unfolding. The Swan of Tuonela shows how powerful quiet music can be.

Though it was originally written as part of a larger opera project that never came to life, The Swan of Tuonela has become one of Sibelius’ most loved stand-alone pieces. It’s a short but unforgettable journey into a world that feels ancient, magical, and just a little bit spooky.

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Musicians

Aaron Wyatt

Conductor & Composer

Supported by Anonymous

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Aaron is a violist, violinist, conductor, composer, programmer, and academic.

Originally from Perth, he spent many years as a regular casual with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra before moving to Melbourne to take up an assistant lecturer position at Monash. A member of the award winning Decibel New Music ensemble, he also develops their animated graphic notation app for the iPad, the Decibel ScorePlayer.

In 2021 he became the first Indigenous Australian to conduct a state symphony orchestra in concert, and has since gone on to have engagements with the Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.

Aaron was nominated for a Helpmann Award for his role as musical director of Cat Hope’s opera, Speechless, in the 2019 Perth Festival, and recently conducted the premiere of Gina Williams’ and Guy Ghouse’s Noongar opera, Wundig wer Wilura. As a composer, he has written for Ensemble Offspring, GreyWing Ensemble, Ensemble Dutala, and is currently Artist in Residence with Speak Percussion.

Gina Rose

Presenter

Supported by Anonymous

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Gina Rose is a highly accomplished soprano known for her rich tone and mastery of baroque repertoire. A graduate of the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, the Australian National Academy of Music, and the University of Tasmania, she holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours, a Graduate Diploma of Music, and a Bachelor of Teaching specialising in Music Education. She is also a Churchill Fellow, having travelled to Hungary, Finland, and the UK to study aural development strategies in vocal performance.

On stage, Gina has performed leading roles in opera including Dido and Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), Angelica (Suor Angelica), and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), with appearances for IHOS Opera and Ten Days on the Island. Her extensive oratorio repertoire includes Messiah, Requiems by Mozart, Rutter, and Hidas, Bach’s Magnificat, and Dvořák’s Te Deum. She is also active as a recitalist and has featured in new Australian works and music theatre productions.

Gina is Music Coordinator at Tarremah Steiner School and has taught across all levels from early childhood to tertiary. Beyond her teaching and performing career, she enjoys gardening with her two children and greyhound.

Jonathan Békés

Cello

Supported by Anonymous

Jonathan Békés

Jonathan Békés is one of Australia’s leading cellists and is a renowned solo artist, chamber musician, orchestral musician and educator.

Békés began playing the cello at the age of 10. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) learning from some of Australia’s leading cellists including Howard Penny, Julian Smiles and Susan Blake.

Currently, Békés is Principal Cello of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, a position that he has held since 2021. He plays regularly with the Australian World Orchestra and the Southern Cross Soloists and has appeared as soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Youth Orchestra. As an educator Békés has worked closely with Musica Viva Australia and Australian Youth Orchestra and is a passionate advocate of music for all people in all walks of life.

In his spare time (not much these days), Békés is a keen sportsman and an outdoors enthusiast. He is an overly passionate golfer, crazed squash player and an AFL fanatic. He follows the Sydney Swans and the Hobart Hurricanes and loves to go on hiking adventures across Tasmania with his family.

Anna Bosveld

Piano & Rising Star 2025

Supported by Anonymous

Anna Bosveld

15-year-old pianist Anna Bosveld from Wynyard is TSO’s Rising Star for 2025.

Selected from a strong field of young Tasmanian musicians, Anna impressed the judging panel with her technique, musicality and expressive playing. Anna began piano at age five, introduced by her mum, and now studies with Somerset-based teacher Lyn Loudon. She performs regularly with a local string ensemble and is currently preparing for her Certificate of Performance exam. She hopes to pursue further musical study at the UTAS Conservatorium.

Described by the TSO’s Kim Waldock as a “wunderkind,” Anna is known for her dedication, often starting her practice at 6am. She also enjoys science, maths and the outdoors, and draws strength from her Christian faith.

Anna receives the $2500 Tim Bugg AM Rising Star Award in recognition of her talent and potential.

Tonight’s orchestra

Eivind Aadland Conductor

James Ehnes Violin

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Violin

Emma McGrath Concertmaster 

Anne-Marie Johnson Associate Concertmaster 

Jennifer Owen Principal Second

Rohana O'Malley Principal First

Miranda Carson

Yue-Hong Cha

Tobias Chisnall

Michael Johnston

Christine Lawson

Elinor Lea

Susanna Low

Phoebe Masel

Christopher Nicholas

Hayato Simpson

 

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Did you know our Concertmaster plays a violin hand-crafted by one of the finest and most important luthiers (a string-instrument maker) of the nineteenth century, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1798–1875).

He crafted 3000+ instruments in his time and we’re very proud to have a violin made in 1845 on loan from two of our generous Tasmanian patrons.

Viola

Katharine Brockman Guest Principal

Douglas Coghill

Nara Dennis

Anna Larsen Roach

William Newbery

Cello

Jonathan Békés Principal

Ivan James

Nicholas McManus

Martin Penicka

Double Bass

Stuart Thomson Principal

Matthew McGrath

Stuart Riley

Flute

Lily Bryant  Guest Principal

Lloyd Hudson  Principal Piccolo

Oboe

Rachel Bullen Guest Principal

Dinah Woods Principal Cor Anglais

Clarinet

Andrew Seymour Principal

Eloise Fisher Principal Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Elise Millman Guest Principal

Melissa Woodroffe Principal Contrabassoon

Horn

Claudia Leggett Principal First

Greg Stephens Principal Third

Jules Evans

Julian Leslie

Trumpet

Fletcher Cox Principal

Mark Bain

Trombone

David Robins Principal

Jackson Bankovic

Bass Trombone

James Littlewood Guest Principal

Tuba

Rachel Kelly * Principal

Timpani

Matthew Goddard Principal

Percussion

Gary Wain Principal

Tracey Patten

Harp

Meriel Owen Guest Principal

Celeste

Jennifer Marten-Smith Guest Principal

Saxophone

Jabra Latham Guest Principal

Benjamin Price Guest Principal

Organ

Nathan Cox Guest Principal

Chorus List

Warren Trevelyan-Jones Chorus Master

Karen Smithies Repetiteur

Soprano

Christine Boyce

Emma Bunzli

Christine Coombe

Felicity Gifford

Yuliana Hammond

Kasia Kozlowska

Bernadette Large

Loretta Lohberger

Sophia Mitchell

Schuya Murray

Shaunagh O’Neill

Joy Tattam

Lesley Wickham

Alto

Claire Blichfeldt

Sally Brown

Carmelita Coen

Beth Coombe

Elizabeth Eden

Ann Godber

Sue Harradence

Caroline Miller

Sally Mollison

Rosemary Rayfuse

Louise Rigozzi

Georgie Stilwell

Meg Tait

Gill von Bertouch

Beth Warren

Tenor

Helen Chick

Phillip Clutterbuck

Michael Kregor

Bill MacDonald

Tony Marshall

Simon Milton

Dianne O’Toole

David Pitt

James Powell-Davie

Alexander Rodrigues

Peter Tattam

Bass

Geoffrey Attwater

John Ballard

Tim Begbie

Peter Cretan

Jack Delaney

Greg Foot

Sam Hindell

Reg Marron

Michael Muldoon

David Ovens

Tony Parker

Grant Taylor

*Correct at time of publishing

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Federation Concert Hall

Our Southern Home

Federation Concert Hall has been our home since 2001. It's distinctive curve, golden Tasmanian timber, contemporary design and deep red seats set the tone for the ultimate concert experience. 
 
In 2020, major acoustical enhancements were made to the hall, amplifying the venue's, and the TSO's, reputation as world-class. 

Photo credit: Fin Matson

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A 'movement' is a longer piece of music broken up into bite-size pieces. It makes it easier to perform and provides contrast within the work. Find out more here.

Orchestra performing in Federation Concert Hall.

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What are acoustics and how do they affect my concert experience?

Acoustics are the science of sound, or the way a venue can deliver the thunderous feeling of strings and brass, or the ring of the triangle over all the other instruments.

Read more about the acoustics of the Hall here.

Karen Gomyo

Coming up

Karen Gomyo

Sparks will fly, featuring Karen Gomyo.

Delius The Walk to the Paradise Garden
Dvořák Violin Concerto in A minor, Op 53
Robert Schumann Symphony No 1 in B-flat, Op 38, ‘Spring’

A cellist in a vibrant blue patterned shirt plays passionately during a performance, eyes closed and brow furrowed in concentration. He draws the bow across the strings of his wooden cello, with a blurred double bass player visible in the background.

Coming up

Baroque & Roll

Think orchestral music is slow? This concert is a chaotic cacophony of Baroque madness, we think you'll like it.

Rebel Excerpts from Les élémens
Handel Ah! stigie larve, from Orlando
Chindamo Variations on Dido’s Lament (after Purcell)
Rameau Suite from Zoroastre
Handel Alcina: Sta nell’ircana

Find Out More

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TSO Concertmaster Emma McGrath plays an 1845 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin on loan from two of our generous Tasmanian patrons.

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