Program

Brahms Violin Concerto
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé

Melting lyricism and sensuous harmonies

Climb to the peak of the violin repertoire with James Ehnes, before celebrating Ravel’s 150th birth year with a rare performance of the full ballet score for Daphnis et Chloé. Musicians from ANAM join the MSO under the direction of Jaime Martín to perform some of the most arresting music ever written.

• Brahms’ Violin Concerto was written for the famed virtuoso Joseph Joachim, who quickly declared it one of the four great German violin concertos. This concerto has something for everybody, from the stately grandeur of the opening Allegro to the melting lyricism of the Adagio and the Gypsy-inspired flair of the Finale. It is the perfect way to showcase the brilliance of MSO Artist in Residence James Ehnes.
• Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé is an extraordinary vision of what the composer called ‘the Greece of my dreams’. Commissioned by the revered choreographer Serge Diaghilev, Daphnis et Chloé was considered by Ravel to be a ‘choreographic symphony’ in three acts for orchestra and wordless chorus. The story of the two lovers is brought to life by some of Ravel’s most gorgeous melodies and sensuous Impressionistic harmonies. Experience Ravel’s masterpiece in its sublime original form.

Duration: approx. 2 hours including interval

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM)+
Jaime Martín conductor
James Ehnes* violin
MSO Chorus
Warren Trevelyan-Jones chorus director

+This performance is part of ANAM and the MSO's Orchestral Training Partnership.
*2025 Artist in Residence