Musicus medicus celebrates a decade of music making
The NSW Doctors Orchestra conducted by Dr David Banney presents Highlights of a Decade to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Musicus Medicus, an ensemble founded in 2004 by General Practitioner Cathy Fraser to give NSW doctors and medical students an opportunity to enjoy music together.
Every year 60-70 doctors come together from both metropolitan and rural NSW and from across the medical disciplines to share a passion for performing music together, and to raise money for medical charities and young musicians. Their conductor, GP Dr David Banney was the winner of the 1995 ABC-Westfield Australian Young Conductor of the Year Award.
In 2013, Musicus Medicus is joined by pianist Simon Tedeschi, in a performance Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor. Tedeschi is described by critics as one of the finest pianists of his generation. He has won many international prizes including first price in the keyboard section of the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London, a Queen’s Trust Overseas Study Award and the Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year.
Also on the programme is the world premiere of Scherzino by Elena Kats-Chernin, one of Australia’s leading composers, known for her energetic and satirical compositional style. She has reached millions of listeners worldwide through her prolific catalogue of works including pieces for the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Musicus Medicus is honoured to premier this, her latest work.
The orchestra will come into its own with a performance of Dvorak’s Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 88, written whilst he was living in Bohemia in 1889.
As in past years, the proceeds of the concert go towards supporting a medical cause. This year, Musicus Medicus is supporting The Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, a important organisation representing people with mental illness, their families and carers, as well as mental health workers. The Fellowship provides a range of services to the community through education, support services to patients and their carers and respite services.
Musicus Medicus has an ongoing relationship with the Sydney Eisteddfod funding the ‘NSW Doctors Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship’ for 16-25 year olds, worth $10,500 annually. In addition it supports the Young Virtuosi Program run by Fine Music 102.5 FM.
Programme:
Kats-Chernin Scherzino (World Premier)
Dvorak Symphony No 8 in G major Opus 88
Greig Piano Concerto in A minor opus 16
Tickets: Adults: $40, Concession: $30, Child: $20, Family: $90 + booking fee.
Bookings: www.sydneyestieddfod.com.au or 02 9261 8366
