BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Some of my best musical memories have been with the Australian Youth Orchestra. I took part in the Words About Music program, and it’s where I met a bunch of like-minded musicians who have gone on to become impressive leaders in their fields (and great friends, too).
Coming from lutruwita/Tasmania — an island where everyone knows everyone — I found it eye-opening to be part of such an epic community of young musicians launching their Australian arts industry careers, all at the same time and with equal passion. My time with AYO was in Canberra, and I brought that inspiration back home with me.
Now, a small group of Tasmanian musicians will be performing on their home stage in nipaluna/Hobart — and this time, the entire orchestra will travel to the southern island to join them.
The AYO show Turbulent Times will take place in the Federation Concert Hall, home of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Local AYO players have attended concerts in their local venue and, in some instances, even performed alongside the professionals as part of their music development. So you can imagine their anticipation for the AYO’s upcoming Autumn Season Concert, in which conductor Alexandre Bloch will lead them through a program of Ravel, Szymanowski, and Prokofiev.
I caught up with Tassie participants Rio Kawaguchi (double bass, pictured above), Tasman Compton (bassoon, pictured below), and Sarah Chick (piano) to learn more about their upcoming AYO performance in their home state.
Hi, you three! As Tassie artists, what excites you about performing on your Federation Concert Hall home stage?
RIO: I am so excited to be performing at home to my friends and family! The Federation Concert Hall compared to others is on the smaller side. What I love about it is that the small space makes the orchestra and audience feel very connected.
TASMAN: For me, getting to play with AYO in Federation Concert Hall is so exciting, because for all of my time in high school and university in Tasmania, I would go watch the TSO in Federation Concert Hall pretty much every week. The opportunity to play such spectacular and big repertoire in this hall is something that I am really looking forward to.
SARAH: As a local student, I absolutely love going to the TSO concerts at Federation Concert Hall and frequently sit in the audience there. To think I’ll be performing on that stage soon is so exciting, and I’ve really felt a sense of Tassie pride in the lead-up to AYO Autumn Season because we have so many great things to offer!
What are some of the most memorable concerts you’ve enjoyed on this stage?
R: One of my most memorable concerts would be the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Big Rehearsal, where Tasmanian Youth Orchestra musicians have the opportunity to play alongside TSO musicians. Very special to play in the same section as my teacher in Tasmania Stuart Thomson!
T: Some of my favourite memories from the Federation Concert Hall were when I was first going to see the TSO. Through the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra, I got to see an open rehearsal of The Planets many years ago when TSO performed it. It was the first time hearing such a massive orchestra in person, and I absolutely loved it. Recently, I have had the great fortune to join the TSO as a casual for some pretty incredible concerts at the end of 2023. This felt very full circle, as it wasn’t long ago that I was a young student watching the TSO who could only dream of playing with them.
S: I remember the first concert I went to as a first-year BMus student. This was the start of my frequent concertgoing and it was Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony; I remember being so riveted. But the recent November 2023 [TSO program] Rach 2 was the most amazing concert I’ve attended – I was on the edge my seat and had so many chills from the incredible Alexey Yemtsov. I’d also recently had a week of masterclasses with him, which was so amazing, so I was a big fan.
AYO gives opportunities to gain experience with some of the biggest conductors around the world and this time, Alexandre Bloch will stand on the podium. I’d love to know what it means to you to gain new insights into the music through working with a new conductor — every experience is so different!
R: Every conductor has a different interpretation of the music being played, and it is fascinating to hear the different colours of sounds unique to each conductor and orchestra. I am looking forward to working with Alexandre Bloch, and I’m excited about how the orchestra will sound.
Learning and rehearsing with AYO is such a full-on process in itself, but I’d love to know how you start your own research before coming together with your section. How have you been discovering the works on the program?
R: A key aspect to my preparation for the AYO program is listening to the repertoire with the score. This helps me identify which instruments I’m playing with, what to listen out for, and finding the tricky bits before I practice.
S (pictured below): The first thing I do after downloading the practice part is to listen through the entire work while following my part. Then once I’ve done a quick learn of a movement, I start practising with my AirPods in and a recording playing. I’ll often stop and start the recording to practice entries and harder sections.
Which piece to you is a real standout on this program?
R: I am really looking forward to Prokofiev 5; I always enjoy playing his compositions. This symphony is full of energy but also has very beautiful melodies.
T: I think Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony is such a powerful symphony with so much excitement and passion; I cannot wait to play it with AYO! I remember first hearing the second movement of the symphony back when I was in high school and falling in love it. Getting to know the rest of the piece while preparing for this program has made me appreciate the work so much more.
S: I am loving Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony! It has a big piano part, and I love how it fits with the rest of the orchestra.
AYO describes the music as pushing boundaries and capturing “the essence of the most turbulent of times – before our own”. Having familiarised yourself with the music, how do you feel about this theme of Turbulent Times?
R: All the pieces being performed are all from the 20th Century. This music was written in a time of turbulence, which can be reflected in the compositions. In the current day and age, we are experiencing turbulence again, and I wish to heed the message of hope.
As one of just four Tasmanians in this AYO event, what advice would you give to fellow Tasmanians who are thinking about joining AYO?
R: Audition! AYO has really supported me with my continuing development as a musician, and provides such valuable opportunities for young musicians. Every program is so much fun and you will meet many wonderful people!
T: The Australian Youth Orchestra and all of its programs are incredible opportunities for young musicians. I treasure all of the experiences I have had on AYO programs, and I feel so grateful that I was able to take part in so many of AYO’s programs. If you are thinking about auditioning, you should definitely do it.
S: AYO is so amazing! Its such an incredibly inspiring, enriching, and fun opportunity. So I would encourage Tasmanian musicians to keep auditioning and reaching for this unique experience!
Experience the Australian Youth Orchestra Autumn Season Concert Turbulent Times with conductor Alexandre Bloch and soloist Satu Vänskä at 7.30pm April 6 in the Federation Concert Hall, nipaluna/Hobart.
Images supplied. Sarah captured by Amber Leatua; Tasman captured by Laura Pemberton; Rio captured by Alastair Bett.
