Melbourne Symphony Orchestra statement, 15 August 2024.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will not perform at Melbourne Town Hall tonight (Thursday August 15) due to safety concerns.
The MSO earlier today sought independent security advice considering events that have occurred since last Sunday’s concert with Jayson Gillham.
In light of this advice, the MSO Board and management had no option but to cancel the concert. We apologise to those who were planning to attend.
The MSO acknowledges that an error was made in asking Jayson to step back from his performance on Thursday 15 August.
We have been engaging constructively with Jayson and his management and are seeking to reschedule the concert.
While the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra maintains that a concert platform is not an appropriate stage for political comment, we acknowledge Jayson’s concerns for those in the Middle East and elsewhere.
We recognise the strength of feelings of all parties on this matter and particularly acknowledge the dedication and commitment demonstrated by all our musicians and staff this week.
Featuring
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Jen Winley conductor
Program
Beethoven Symphony No.8
Brahms Symphony No.1
About this performance
Conductor Jen Winley helms this concert of symphonic classics by Beethoven and Brahms.
- In 1812 when he was almost completely deaf, Beethoven composed his Eighth Symphony, which has been described quite brilliantly as one of the ‘shortest, weirdest, and most compelling symphonies of the 19th Century’ (The Guardian). What appears on the surface as light-hearted playfulness is in reality a highly experimental, radical work that challenged the idea of the symphony as a genre.
- The opening of Brahms’ First Symphony is astonishing – it seems to have already been playing when we, the audience, intrude upon its crashing chords. In this way, it’s similar to the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth. Indeed, the influence of Beethoven is palpable in this symphony, and yet, with its buttery lyricism and boisterous momentum, its signature is thoroughly Brahms’.
Duration: approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes including interval
