The Australian Chamber Orchestra Goes Symphonic With Slava Grigoryan, Rodrigo And Beethoven 7

The Australian Chamber Orchestra presents a grand symphonic event in which Richard Tognetti will lead an augmented ACO featuring 36 musicians on stage, starring guest artist Slava Grigoryan.

With the ACO, Grigoryan plays Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, which he considers “a fantastic jewel in the repertoire, an exceptionally important piece for all guitarists, without doubt the most popular work for guitar and orchestra.” Multiple ARIA award-winning guitarist Slava Grigoryan shot to fame when he appeared in concert with guitar luminaries Paco Peña and Leo Kottke at the age of just 18.

Being the ACO’s grand symphonic event of the year, this concert features Beethoven’s jubilant Seventh Symphony directed by Richard Tognetti. Described by Beethoven himself as “one of the happiest products of my poor talents”, this symphony was written to benefit soldiers wounded in the battle of Hanau. Perhaps one of the most famous movements of this symphony is the glorious second movement, Allegretto – solemn and flowing, with its pervasive rhythm beating through the theme and variations.

Also on the Sydney programme, Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin – an homage to a golden era of French music – the age of François Couperin and the 18th century. ‘Le tombeau’ became more of a personal memorial to colleagues and friends killed during The Great War, with each movement dedicated by Ravel to one of his fallen comrades.

Slava Grigoryan was born in Khazakstan to Russian-trained violinist parents. The family emigrated to Australia when Slava was five years old. He was a major prize-winner at the Tokyo International Classical Guitar Competition at only 15 years old, and as a result of this honour, he was signed by Sony Classical.

Grigoryan has appeared as soloist at the crème of international festivals, with the world’s leading orchestras, string quartets and chamber ensembles; he’s completed solo recordings, recorded with his guitarist brother, Leonard; and, he’s toured and recorded with the likes of Wolfgang Muthspiel and Ralph Towner.

Grigoryan is currently Artistic Director of the Adelaide International Guitar Festival which celebrates the guitar in all of its forms. He’s developed a partnership with Spain’s Cordoba Guitar Festival and also launched the Adelaide International Guitar Orchestra.

The programme: RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin/ RODRIGO Concierto de Aranjuez / BEETHOVEN Symphony No.7

The performers: Richard Tognetti, Director & Violin / Slava Grigoryan, Guitar/ Helena Rathbone, Violin