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2020 was a devastating year for the arts. Festivals, concerts, exhibitions and more were cancelled or postponed, and many workers in the industry didn’t qualify for government support payments. In a year where arts programs have been forced to readjust, it’s a testament to everyone at the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) that it's managed to plan a robust 2021 program.
“As extensive as the program is, we actually threw it together at pretty short notice,” says Artistic Director Richard Tognetti. “With everything going on, it’s impossible to be certain that live shows will go ahead, so we figured if we were going to survive then we needed to expand our digital offering with these concert series.”
The new season features seven live concerts in Sydney, five in Melbourne, three in Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong, and two in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. There are also eight 50-minute concert films premiering on a new streaming service – a move into the digital space that ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti says is both exciting and a sign of the times.
Presented by media personality, podcaster and author Yumi Stynes, the films, which the ACO is calling StudioCasts, will be released on the orchestra’s streaming platform and be available on demand. With performances shot in iconic locations such as Sydney’s Town Hall and Carriageworks, the series will also see Stynes host interviews and features with musicians and the creative team, giving viewers a behind the scenes look at the journey to creating this new digital concert experience. Commentary from Richard Tognetti and other special guests will further help viewers understand the stories behind the music.
“I don’t really like the term classical music, because there are so many stories that go into these compositions that have contemporary relevance,” says Tognetti. “Not everyone would necessarily like the idea of going to a concert, so by doing it digitally we’re making it a little more accessible to people.”
Here are our picks for the ACO’s must-see live and digital events in 2021:
Music for Healing (live)
This concert explores the role music plays in helping us recover from traumatic or life changing experiences. Guitarist Slava Grigoryn joins the ACO to perform Australian composer Iain Grandage’s Black Dogs, Pink Floyd’s Shine on You Crazy Diamond and more.
August 26 to September 8 2021
More here.
Schubert’s Quintet (live)
The ACO’s first performance in Melbourne for more than a year is essential viewing. The orchestra will be performing Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major – widely regarded as one of the best long form pieces of chamber music ever written – at Hamer Hall, before a follow up performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
May 6 to May 17 2021
More here.
Rapture and Revolution (digital)
Directed by Matisse Ruby with directors of photography Tyson Perkins and Drew English, the first film in the new ACO StudioCasts series, Rapture and Revolution shows music from the ACO’s final concerts of 2020. Filmed in Sydney Town Hall with cinematography from Tyson Perkins, the film features Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and Beethoven’s Cavatina and Grosse Fuge. A must-see for any classical music fan and a great introduction to the new digital concert series.
February 7 2021, and then available to view on demand
More here.
Bach and the Beyond (digital)
In true ACO style the timeless music of Bach is paired alongside music from Richard Tognetti, elevated by the mesmerising vocals of Satu Vänskä and filmed at Sydney’s famous Studios 301. The film also features guest performances from Emmanuel Pahud (the world’s greatest living flautist) – recorded during lockdown in Berlin – and Midnight Oil guitarist Jim Moginie.
March 31 2021, and then available to view on demand
More here
An ACO StudioCasts digital subscription costs $199*, or $149 for those who also subscribe to the ACO’s Live season. You can sign up here. Single StudioCasts can be purchased to access for 7-days for $35.
*$199 early bird pricing applies to season subscriptions purchased before February 17 2021, after which price increases to $229.
This article was produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australian Chamber Orchestra.
