The year at ANAM kicks off with a thrilling gala orchestral concert at Melbourne Recital Centre this March. Conducted by one of the foremost conductors of our time, Asher Fisch, the concert brings together a diverse program featuring Johannes Brahms' beloved Symphony No. 2 alongside two newer works: Lachlan Skipworth’s Flute Concerto, premiered by Fisch and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in 2024, and British composer Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour, first performed in 2015. Let’s take a closer look at these two new(ish) pieces you won’t want to miss next month.
Lachlan Skipworth’s Flute Concerto
Lachlan Skipworth's Flute Concerto is a showcase of virtuosic and intricate orchestral textures, marked by a variety of contrasting elements. The first movement highlights the flute's agility as it "lightly trips above the orchestra," while the harp, percussion, and piano add diverse textural layers throughout the piece.
The second movement, titled Larghetto espressivo, presents a gentle and introspective dialogue primarily between the flute and violin, evoking a sense of intimate conversation. The third movement, Misterioso – Tranquillo, draws inspiration from natural sounds, incorporating arpeggiated, bell-like motifs that mimic the gentle sounds of birds and water. This naturalistic theme culminates in the fourth movement, characterized by a bustling array of complex rhythms and heavily accented passages. The final movement contrasts the preceding lightness, building to a dynamic climax.
Skipworth’s approach reflects a departure from the trend of composing shorter works for smaller ensembles, demonstrating his ability to engage with longer forms and larger orchestral forces. This not only allows for an expansive instrumental palette but also enhances the richness and depth of the musical experience. The concerto embodies principles of layering, where varying levels of prominence among instrumental groups create a complex auditory experience. These layers provide a framework for foreground, background, and middleground elements, enhancing the listener's perception of musical interplay and texture.
The world premiere of Skipworth’s Flute Concerto took place on 21 and 22 June 2024 at the Perth Concert Hall, performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) under Asher Fisch. The concerto was specifically written for WASO's Principal Flute, Andrew Nicholson, and represents a significant addition to the contemporary flute repertoire in Australia.
Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour
This Midnight Hour is a 2015 composition by London-born composer Anna Clyne, written for the Orchestre National d'Île-de-France. The piece draws inspiration from two evocative poems: La música by Juan Ramón Jiménez and Harmonie du Soir by Charles Baudelaire. While it does not follow a specific narrative, Clyne intended for the music to evoke a visual journey for listeners, utilising rich orchestral textures and dramatic dynamics to heighten its emotional impact.
The composition is characterised by its unique sound world, where Clyne exploits the capabilities of the orchestra to create a dramatic atmosphere. The opening features a driving theme led by the lower strings, setting a tone of tension and mystery. Throughout the piece, dynamics fluctuate dramatically, ranging from serene quietness to powerful orchestral climaxes, creating an engaging and varied listening experience.
Clyne’s use of contrasting musical ideas is evident in This Midnight Hour, as she weaves together moments of frenetic energy and reflective lyricism, echoing the themes found in the source poetry. The inclusion of varied textures—such as split viola sections playing at different pitches—adds to the music’s evocative quality. In some sections, the orchestra aims to emulate the sound of an accordion playing a waltz. Critics have praised the work for its imaginative orchestration and emotional depth, noting Clyne's ability to craft a compelling auditory experience that captivates audiences from start to finish.
This Midnight Hour had its world premiere on 13 November 2015 in Plaisir, France. Conducted by Enrique Mazzola, the piece was commissioned as part of a collaborative effort involving the Seattle Symphony and the Orchestre National d'Île-de-France.
Words by Evan Lawson
ANAM ORCHESTRA GALA CONCERT WITH ASHER FISCH
Friday 21 March 2025, 7pm
Anna CLYNE This Midnight Hour
Lachlan SKIPWORTH Flute Concerto (Victorian premiere)
Johannes BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 73
Asher Fisch conductor
Andrew Nicholson flute
ANAM Orchestra
Venue Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre
Tickets Standard $85/$75, Senior/Under 30 $70/$60, Concession $60/$50, Child (under 15) $20