Hunter-based orchestra to perform an Australian first

Orchestra Nova – the Hunter and Newcastle’s only community orchestra – may soon be able to claim the first Australian public performance of a rare 19^th Century symphony.

Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (subtitled “The Bells of Zlonice”), thought by the Czech composer to have been lost or destroyed, was uncovered nearly sixty years after its composition and has only been available in its published form since 1961.

The piece will be performed by Orchestra Nova at its first concert for the year as part of the May 2014 concert programme, titled “Rare and Beautiful”. The concert will be held on Sunday 4 May at Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre, starting at 2pm.

“We’re proud to be presenting a programme of rare gems,” said the orchestra’s Musical Director and conductor Robin Fischle.

“The Dvorak symphony is particularly special. It was originally submitted by the composer for a competition in Germany in 1865 and never seen by him again. Seventeen years later, the manuscript was discovered in a second-hand bookshop by a man who shared the composer’s last name and who kept it hidden. It wasn’t until 1923 that the piece came to public attention and it wasn’t formally published until nearly a century after its composition”, he added.

Although there are several recorded versions of the work, it is rarely performed live.

“To our knowledge, we think this might be the first time the work has ever been publicly performed in Australia”, said Robin.

As part of the “Rare and Beautiful” programme, the Orchestra will also be performing individual works for strings, winds and brass as well as an excerpt from the opera-ballet Mlada by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Now in its 23rd year, Orchestra Nova continues to deliver up to four programmes per year featuring well-known popular and classical music for the community’s enjoyment. The musicians playing in Orchestra Nova range in age, experience and background and include students, teachers, doctors, engineers and retirees.

More information is available at the orchestra’s website: www.orchestranova.org.au

The event will also include a raffle and light refreshments can be purchased.

Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 student/pensioner concession. Discounts are available for group bookings. All ages are welcome.

Tickets available at the door (if not sold prior) or online at www.stickytickets.com.au

Event details:

Sunday 4th May at 2pm

Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre

39 Lake Street, Warners Bay

Full programme (not in order of presentation):

Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (The Bells of Zlonice) by Antonin Dvorak

Procession of the Nobles from the opera-ballet Mlada by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Little Suite for Strings by Peter Sculthorpe

Sinfonietta for 10 Wind Instruments (two movements) by Joachim Raff

King’s Prayer and Finale from the opera Lohengrin by Richard Wagner

Maggie By My Side from the 19th century American Brass Band Journal by Stephen Foster

Website: http://www.orchestranova.org.au