GSO returns

Gippsland’s own symphony orchestra will present an afternoon of majestic classical music at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Sunday.

The only classical music offering scheduled at the arts centre, the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra will present “The Majestic Mendelssohn” at 2pm.

GSO musical director David Williams says the concert will feature three works of German composer Felix Mendelssohn who he ranks “right up there” with Mozart and Beethoven.

“His work is just sublime,” he said. “When I listen to his works, I’m always in a good mood.”

“It’s very challenging for the orchestra. But it’s one of those ones where the challenge is the reward.”

Mr Williams says the orchestra was generating a good response from the community, with its last concert attracting “a good turn-up”. Always working to engage with the community, he urged lovers of music and the arts to support this concert featuring local musical talent.

The concert features “Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Opus 21”, written when Mendelssohn was 17 and perfectly capturing the works of fairies Oberon and Tatiana and myriad characters that Shakespeare created.

It then offers “Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op 90 (Italian)” inspired from his travels through Italy. Mendelssohn considered it the happiest piece he had written. It described as the “perfect” symphony and is bright and up-tempo.

The GSO was founded in 2015 and prides itself on providing high-quality concerts in both Warragul and Sale.

Mr Williams has an OAM for his long history of involvement in local amateur theatre as well as teaching music. But GSO holds a special place in his heart.

“I think the GSO is probably the thing I’m proudest of,” he says.

Fresh off his musical direction role with Warragul Theatre Company’s “Les Miserables”, Mr Williams says only four of the orchestra were not GSO regulars.

In fact, the idea to form symphony orchestra was inspired during the theatre company’s 2014 performance of “Phantom of the Opera”.

“There was over 30 players in the pit for that show. We knew we’d never play again as a group unless we did something.”

And the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra was born.

Tickets for Sunday’s concert are $25 for general, $20 for concession and $15 for youth under 18.

For bookings or further information, contact the West Gippsland Arts Centre box-office on 5624 2456 or visit wgac.com.au