Program

John Luther Adams Horizon* (World Premiere)
Igor Stravinsky Concerto in D “Basle”
Raminta Šerkšnytė De Profundis (Australian Premiere)
Sergei Rachmaninoff (arr. piano, percussion and strings) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43

*Commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

When Rachmaninoff first performed his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, it had the audience in raptures. The extraordinary pianist had written a showstopper, and audiences have loved its lush, romantic melodies for nearly 100 years. Now, the ever-adventurous pianist Dejan Lazić returns to the ACO to play it, in a new arrangement for piano and strings.

In this joyful season opener directed by Richard Tognetti and featuring the singular talents of Lazić as soloist, the ACO explores the power of music to take us to the edge of what is known… and beyond. Come with us to explore where the lines between earth, sea and sky merge. There, possibility is infinite.

John Luther Adams is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer whose music is a profound response to the natural world. In the world premiere of his expansive Horizon, you’ll explore the extremes of the Australian landscape. Born of a residency in Australia, Adams plays with space, sound and texture to immerse you in this special place.

Raminta Šerkšnyte’s euphoric De Profundis plays with high and low extremes, in a piece full of energy and drama. Stravinsky’s balletic Concerto in D is sometimes ominous, sometimes graceful, and always impressive. 

Lazić describes playing with the ACO as “coming home”. This latest collaboration between virtuosos – and old friends – is not to be missed.