Sublime work The Lark Ascending soars in the hands of Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Emma McGrath.
The concert opens with Peter Sculthorpe’s Pastorale before violinist extraordinaire Emma McGrath performs the solo part in Vaughan Williams’s ethereal Lark Ascending, popularly held to be the most sublime short work for violin and orchestra.
Paul Stanhope’s Fantasia on a Theme of Vaughan Williams offers a joyous response to ‘Down Ampney’ (Come Down, O Love Divine), a famous hymn tune by Vaughan Williams.
The second half of the concert is given over to Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ symphony, a musical excursion to the countryside and a celebration of the restorative powers of the outdoors. Go on your own rural retreat in this nature-inspired program.