Roger Woodward Returns For Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra 50th Anniversary Celebration

The legendary pianist Roger Woodward AC will return to Sydney for one performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by its artistic director Paul Terracini.

Performing music by Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Sydney composer Naomi Dodd, this performance will raise funds for the Sisters of Charity Foundation. The occasion acknowledges Roger’s huge contribution as an Australian pianist on the world stage and features his electrifying performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3. The concert will include Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Chamber Symphony Op. 110a as well as Deep Calls to Deep, specially commissioned by the KPO from Dodd.

The KPO will donate profits from this concert to the Sisters of Charity Foundation, supporting scholarships for young people from foster care to undertake tertiary studies.  Supporting young people is close to Roger’s heart. He is donating his performance and covering his own travel expenses to support the Sisters of Charity Foundation in their work. 

Australian National Treasure, Roger Woodward AC, grew up in Chatswood, attending the local public school.  He was a student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before winning the ABC Young Performer’s Award playing this piece by Prokofiev.  The award provided Roger with study and performance opportunities with orchestras in Australia and abroad, launching what was to become a stellar international career.

“The Concourse has always been close to my family,” says Roger. “When it was the Chatswood Town Hall it was the place where my brother and sisters went for our Chatswood Primary School speech day and concerts with the Ku-ring-gai Male Voice Choir – in which my Dad sang in the tenors. My first large public concert was there when I was 10 although I accompanied the School choir there as well.  In the next block, further down, was our family church where I fell in love with the organ works and cantatas of J.S.Bach and where I eventually became organist. My brother and I also knew every sweets shop and milk bar both sides of Victoria Avenue at that time we also began our first piano lessons in nearby Saywell Street with Winifred Pope… altogether a very happy and productive time in our lives. ”

The program: Shostakovich Festive Overture/ Naomi Dodd Deep Calls to Deep/ Shostakovich Chamber Symphony for strings op 110a/ Prokofiev Piano Concerto No 3

 Tickets: $20-$55  Information and early-bird bookings: www.kpo.org.au  or call Ticketek : 1300 795 012 

Image courtesy Angus Forbes and Tait Memorial Trust.