The 2012 Queensland Youth Symphony Concert Series begins with Richard Strauss’ masterpiece, Don Juan. A musical portrait of that great Spanish philanderer, it is one of Strauss' most exciting creations. QYS Principal Cellist Oliver Scott performs the inspiring Cello Concerto by French composer Saint-Saëns, prior to performances with QYS in Germany in July 2012.
A highlight of the concert is the mighty 12th Symphony of Shostakovich, dark, powerful and full of drama.
Program
Richard Strauss - Don Juan
Camille Saint-Saens - Cello Concerto
Soloist: Oliver Scott (Principal Cellist QYS)
Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 12
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Conductor John Curro AM MBE
John Curro AM MBE is both the founder and Director of Music for Queensland Youth Orchestras, conducting the Queensland Youth Symphony since its beginning in 1966. He is in demand as a conductor and tutor for professional and youth orchestras and festivals.
Last year, Mr Curro conducted Havergal Brian's Symphony No. 1 The Gothic, for the first performance in 30 years and the first performance outside the UK. With QYS, Mr Curro conducted the Resurrection Symphony by Gustav Mahler in 2010 in a remarkable performance with Judith Henley (Soprano), Anne Fulton (Mezzo Soprano), the Queensland Conservatorium Chamber Choir and the Brisbane Chorale.
Mr Curro has conducted many of Australia's professional orchestras as well as many opera and ballet seasons in Australia. His guest conducting appearances include the London Virtuosi, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Australian and Bavarian Youth Orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mr Curro has received many prestigious awards including Member of the Order of Australia and Member of the British Empire. He has received Honorary Doctorates from the University of Queensland and Griffith University, Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellow Award, the Australian Music Centre (Qld) Award, the Don Banks Music Award, the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, the Orchestras Australia Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queensland Premier's Millenium Award for Excellence in the Arts.
QYS Principal Cellist Oliver Scott
Oliver Scott is a student at the School of Music at the University of Queensland, studying cello with Patrick Murphy.
His previous concerto performances include Lalo Cello Concerto with the Queensland Youth Symphony and Elgar Cello Concerto with the Orchestra “Corda Spiritus”. In 2011 Oliver was the prize winner of the “Sleath String Prize”, the highest award for string players at the University of Queensland, performing Shostakovich Cello Sonata. He was also an award recipient at the South East Concerto Competition performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto.
Oliver’s current professional engagements include an augmenting position with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, acceptance into both the Melbourne and Tasmania Symphony Orchestra’s fellowship programs, and regular engagements with the Sydney Sinfonia.
He is heavily involved in chamber playing. In 2011, his string quartet was the winner of the Sid Page Memorial Chamber Prize. As a result, the quartet was given a performance at the Musica Viva function hosted by composer Carl Vine.
Oliver began his cello studies at the age of ten. Under Mei-Lee Stocker’s tutelage he received his A.mus.A with “Distinction” in 2007, and his L.mus.A with “Award” in 2009. Other teachers and mentors Oliver is indebted to are David Lale, Kejia Wang, John Curro, Robert Manley and Sergei Korschmin.