News

“Here the [ACO] was at the height of their formidable and at these times unrivalled powers”

8th August 2023
ACO's Dvořák's Serenade national concert tour. Take flight and surrender yourself to the sublimely beautiful and visceral music of Dvořák and Bartók.

We’ve said it before at Giving Culture, but it’s worth saying again: there is nothing like the experience of live music. That is especially so in a venue like the City Recital Hall in Sydney, with the Australian Chamber Orchestra performing its final Sydney performance of its Dvořák’s Serenade concert tomorrow night (9 August 2023) before touring to Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Newcastle.

If you haven’t had the opportunity yet to see the ACO performing live, you still have time to book tickets for performances coming up around Australia during August. If you can’t make it this month, the ACO’s next national tour is Postcards from Italy in September, featuring musical tributes from across the centuries featuring Bach and Boccherini through to Tchaikovsky and Giovanni Sollima. The best way to find upcoming concerts by location and date is on the ACO’s What’s On page.

What did the critics think of the ACO’s Sydney concert?

Here is a selection of reviews:

Review: Australian Chamber Orchestra – Dvorak’s Serenade

“Tognetti’s interpretation was flawless, with sharp pointy phrasing contrasted with the smoothest of languid washes, finding new readings in the timeless score. Here the orchestra was at the height of their formidable and at these times unrivalled powers.

– Paul Neeson, Arts Wednesday 89.7 Eastside FM

Richard Tognetti takes us on a vibrant and colourful Bohemian sojourn with melodies to spare. ★★★★½

“The ACO players’ telepathic synchronicity and virtuosity were put to the ultimate test throughout the quartet’s 30 minutes and the rich broad chords and rustling of nocturnal birds and animals of the second movement were a highlight.”

– Steve Moffatt, Limelight

Dvorak’s Serenade ★★★★ Australian Chamber Orchestra, City Recital Hall, until August 9

“Richard Tognetti’s arrangement of the Bartók for string orchestra brought the arch-like structure of its five movements into strong relief, the outer movements standing out as pillars of conflicted, driving energy. The second and fourth movements drew the listener into hushed textures, creating still moments of spareness and quiet. It is welcome to see renewed interest in Bartok… Tognetti’s string orchestra arrangement brought out the work’s monumentality and uncompromising strength of idea.”

– Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald

Don’t forget, for all our current voucher holders, if you want to use your culture voucher for upcoming ACO performances go here to find out how to redeem.

How can you get involved in Giving Culture?

Giving Culture is a unique and meaningful gift voucher program that you can use for staff rewards and customer gifts – it has a dual benefit in giving people the opportunity for new cultural experiences and supporting our local not-for-profit arts sector.

Our gold and silver culture vouchers can be redeemed for a selection of subscriptions, performances, cultural experiences or as a donation – including performances just like ACO’s Dvořák’s Serenade.

Find out more about our corporate program here, or contact us at info@givingculture.com, on (02) 4872 4981 or by sending us a message via our ‘Contact Us‘ form.

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