BY JASMINE MIDDLETON
It’s certainly no secret that Australia is a source of amazing homegrown talent. Many of our musicians go on to study abroad and hold prestigious positions in the world’s top orchestras.
But there’s nothing quite like home.
The Australian World Orchestra harnesses this talent by uniting the finest Aussie musicians from around the world to form an unparalleled powerhouse of an orchestra. Founded in 2010 by artistic director and chief conductor Alexander Briger AO, the AWO has forged an international reputation with its all-star team, exhilarating passion, and grand-scale concerts.
Celebrating 10 years of music in Australia
This June, the AWO returns for its 10th birthday concert season to perform Australian composer Paul Dean’s premiere work Symphony, Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. With the ever-present backdrop of the pandemic, there’s something particularly special about this worldwide collaboration — a homecoming of sorts.
Melbourne-born Phoebe Russell, principal double bass of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, is one of the world-class musicians in this upcoming program, and has performed with the AWO since 2019.
“People explain it like an older version of Australian Youth Orchestra,” says Phoebe fondly.
“It’s a reunion for a lot of musicians, and a way to connect with colleagues and friends from around the country.”
The young artist and double bass star is your quintessential worldly musician. Before her return to Australia from Berlin in 2017 to commence her role with the QSO, Phoebe performed in more than 20 countries, sharing stages with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.
A double bass star is rising
Most notably, she had performed with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra from when she was 17 years old. Phoebe says her time in the orchestra was influential on her performing back in Australia.
“I’ve learnt a lot about playing as an orchestral musician as part of an organism that works fluidly, not just with a conductor,” Phoebe says.
“Working in different orchestras taught me how to breathe with the music, and not necessarily follow and do as I’m told.”
As well as bringing her skills as an orchestral musician and leader to AWO, Phoebe is also an experienced soloist and chamber musician, having performed extensively as a recitalist – including to a full house in the Berlin Philharmonic lunch concert series.
“As I say to my students: ‘You can’t really accompany an intricate or beautiful melody, or create a long line underneath a melody, unless you know how to form one yourself.’
“My way of playing in orchestra is really working with principal musicians, and looking around and feeling connected to who’s playing the melody, rather than just following the stick.”
Building the future of orchestral music
Part of the AWO’s vision is building orchestral music’s future by commissioning works from contemporary Australian composers. For Phoebe, this aspect most excites her about the upcoming program. She even shares a personal connection to composer Paul Dean, having performed together in Ensemble Q and premiered many of his previous works.
“He’s written a series of duets for my husband [double bassist Bernardo Alvis] and me, and he’s currently writing a concerto for me. So we’ve got a really close relationship musically, and I’m excited to play his first symphony,” Phoebe smiles.
“I’ve been looking at the parts and whilst it’s quite tricky, it’s a really cool and interesting piece of music.”
It is this connection to home that grounds the AWO’s programs, having previously featured Elena Kats-Chernin’s concerto for eight double basses The Witching Hour for its fifth birthday concert in 2016 – sharing Australian music with local and international tour audiences alike. In 2019, the AWO featured Nigel Westlake’s Flying Dream. And in the years between, the orchestra has continued to foster Australian players through its education and outreach programs.
The AWO is currently supporting young artists through its Academy Player program, with Marcus Michelson as this year’s violinist. Young performer Harry Bennetts will also perform alongside them, sharing the stage with the AWO for the first time in his career.
Like the AWO, Phoebe herself has committed herself to fostering young talent. She held weekly online masterclasses for students who didn’t have access to a teacher during COVID, with often more than 100 students joining in from around the world. As her students were struggling with being stuck at home, Phoebe began posting videos of her practice on social media and has since created a supportive community in the double bass world. This even led her to collaborate on some videos with long-time friends Brett and Eddy of TwoSet Violin.
As lecturer in double bass at the Queensland Conservatorium, teaching has provided unexpected joy and fulfilment for Phoebe.
“It’s just really special to see your students flourishing and achieving so much. It’s nice to have a role in a talented student’s progress and success,” Phoebe reflects.
“I feel like it’s my duty and passion to give back to the next generation of musicians like [my teacher Damien Eckersley] did for us. I hope [my students] can carry on that love for double bass, and that they travel and expand themselves as musicians.”
A full AWO season for 2021
The AWO may not be touring internationally in 2021, but it is still sharing the power of music and education across the cities of Australia.
Its upcoming performance program will see it play in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne this June. And young players will simultaneously have the opportunity to gain professional performance experience: the New South Wales Regional Youth Orchestra will perform side-by-side with AWO professionals.
To those in other cities, or needing to stay at home, the AWO’s website also offers live concert recordings from its back catalogue of events, as well as the option to listen to its CDs with labels ranging from ABC Classics to Deutsche Grammophon.
With this reunion of exceptional and well-travelled Aussie musicians, the AWO is set to present an electrifying 2021 season.
See the Australian World Orchestra perform live at 7.30pm June 2 in Canberra’s Llewellyn Hall, and 7.30pm June 3 in Sydney’s City Recital Hall. Full details online.
The performance on 4 June in Melbourne has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, if you’d still like to enjoy the orchestra from the comfort of your home, you’ll now be able to purchase a ticket for the Sydney concert and watch live via the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall.
Images supplied.
