The Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra was established in 1906. Stefan Cassomenos on piano (pictured) courtesy of The Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra.
The Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra is a community, not-for-profit orchestra that performs five concerts every year, at Kew’s Xavier College, major Melbourne concert venues, and regional areas such as Daylesford and Healesville. In February, 2014, it performed to 7000 people at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to celebrate its 80th anniversary.
Volunteer-based, the orchestra (originally called the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) commemorates the man who established it in 1906, Alberto Zelman Jnr. Zelman nurtured it till he died in 1927 and it subsequently split into today’s Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for professional performances and the Zelman, which is designed to foster local community talent. Two of the evening’s performances were the result of the Symphony’s community benevolence.
The first, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. was to introduce Associate Conductor, Jenny Going who, in 2015, was the inaugural recipient of the John Hopkins Award to support young conductors. It includes the opportunity to conduct one major work with the Zelman Symphony and Going chose wisely with the Peer Gynt, a well-known signature piece. The Zelman is an acclaimed orchestra and didn’t let Going down. But did she let them down? Technically, no. Perhaps it was nervousness or, maybe, groundwork in the school system, but to inspire talented adults to deliver an inspired performance, a good conductor cannot just be note perfect. If Going can shed the shackles of the system and allow her conducting to be guided by her passion, she will, undoubtedly, become a great conductor.
It was an ambitious leap for the orchestra to tackle the next item on the program. the Nornir Concerto for Viola to Violin, composed by May Lyon, a final year Master of Music in Composition student. Lyon had been chosen as the Emerging Composer of the Year through a collaboration of the Melbourne University School of Music with the Zelman Orchestra and chose to include violinist, Kat Tsyrlin, as her soloist. The intricate three movements, centred around an ancient Norse myth, made good use of percussion, particularly a glockenspiel and Tsyrlin did an excellent job of guiding the orchestra through dynamic passages showing the light and shade of different lifetimes and allowing Principal Flautist, Carol Galea, to shine.This work deserves a complete review but it was clear to see that Lyon is headed for a very bright future.
What an example to those emerging musicians the following artist must be! At 31 years of age, Stefan Cassomenos’ years at Melbourne University are long gone and since the age of 10 he has traversed the world many times playing his own compositions, as well as those of others. In spite of many awards, his humility was admirable when asked the question, ‘Is Greig’s Piano Concerto in A Minor your favourite piece?’
‘To listen to, not to play,’ he replied, ‘because it’s so hard!’ Well, apart from occasionally mopping his brow with a handkerchief, this master of music gave a breathtaking and flamboyant display of the wonderful work. Perhaps, Lyon’s Nornir Concerto may rival it one day for difficulty but, on Saturday night, with Principal Conductor Mark Shiell drawing equal passion from the orchestra, the combination was electric. Cassomenos displays a versatility that is becoming more common among young musicians. He also gives back to the community as founding member of the successful ensemble, PLEXUS, which has been commissioning composers and new works since 2014.
And, finally, Sibelius who, not satisfied with the success of his first symphony, wrote No. 2 in 1901, just one year after the premier of Finlandia. Another massive work, it demonstrated all the trademarks of Sibelius’ nationalistic fervour, the rolling melody of the beautiful Norwegian countryside, the contrasting abuse of encroaching dominance, the anger and resentment of the Russian invasion. What a scenario! Blazing French horns, basses and cellos, rose to the occasion, not to mention the bassoons, oboes and flutes in full flight and the tireless trumpeter, Suzanne Wedding. Excelling, in a very comprehensive program.
Perhaps, less could have been more but, as far as attaining its goal, the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra certainly achieved it.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5
Scandinavian Masterpieces
Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor: Mark Shiell
GRIEG Peer Gynt: Suite No. 1: Associate Conductor Jenny Going
NORNIR CONCERTO for Violin, Viola; composer May Lyon
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A minor; Stefan Cassomenos – piano
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
Xavier College, Kew
3 December 2016
