Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra in the state of Queensland. The orchestra is based in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's building in South Bank.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
QSO Studios in South Bank
Former nameThe Queensland Orchestra
Founded1947
Websiteqso.com.au

History

Queensland Symphony Orchestra played its first concert on 26 March 1947, consisting of 45 musicians, conducted by Percy Code.[1] John Farnsworth Hall was recruited from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as the orchestra's first chief conductor. The orchestra played concerts in various Queensland cities and towns, such as Innisfail and Townsville, travelling up to 3500 miles a year in the process.[2]

In 2001, Queensland Symphony Orchestra was merged with Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, to form The Queensland Orchestra (TQO).[1][3] On 14 October 2009, the orchestra announced it would again become known as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, effective in 2010.[4] The orchestra's current chief executive is Craig Whitehead.

Performances and tours

The Orchestra is funded by private corporations, the state government and the Australian federal government through the Australia Council. Most of the Orchestra's performances take place in Brisbane at three venues:

In addition, the orchestra tours other parts of the state of Queensland regularly, including the following locations:

The orchestra's discography includes Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and several works of Benjamin Frankel, including his eight symphonies, violin concerto, viola concerto, and several film score suites.

Chief and guest conductors

The orchestra's longest-serving chief conductor was the Czech-born Rudolf Pekárek (1954–1967). In 1988, Vladimir Kamirski was appointed chief guest conductor. Muhai Tang was chief conductor from 1991 to 2001, and was named conductor laureate from November 2005. Michael Christie was the first chief conductor of the orchestra under its new name, from 2001 to 2004. In July 2007, Johannes Fritzsch was named the next chief conductor of the orchestra, beginning in January 2008, with an initial contract through 2010.[3] In February 2010, the orchestra announced a three-year extension of Fritzsch's contract as chief conductor, through 2013.[5] In September 2013, Queensland Symphony Orchestra announced the scheduled conclusion of Fritzsch's chief conductorship at the end of 2014.[6] Fritzsch now has the title of Conductor Laureate of Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

In May 2015, Alondra de la Parra made her first guest-conducting appearance with the orchestra.[7] In October 2015, the orchestra announced the appointment of de la Parra as its first-ever music director and first-ever female conductor in its principal conducting post, effective in 2017.[8] De la Parra completed her tenure as music director at the end of the 2019 season.

List of chief conductors

List of music directors
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References
  1. Martin Buzacott (23 March 2007). "Proud history lives on". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  2. "Beethoven in the Bush". Time. 28 July 1958. Retrieved 30 March 2008.(subscription required)
  3. Rosemary Sorensen (17 July 2007). "Conductor aims for the soul". The Australian. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  4. "State Orchestra Takes A Key Change and Announces Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, Governor of Queensland as Patron" (PDF) (Press release). The Queensland Orchestra. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  5. "Chief Conductor for QSO: Queensland Symphony Orchestra Announces Three-Year Contract Extension for Chief Conductor Johannes Fritzsch" (PDF) (Press release). The Queensland Orchestra. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  6. Natalie Bochenski (4 September 2013). "Sweet symphony for orchestra in 2014". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  7. Matthew Westwood (24 October 2015). "QSO's Alondra de la Parra: first woman to head a state orchestra". The Australian. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. "Queensland Symphony Orchestra announces acclaimed Conductor Alondra de la Parra as Music Director" (Press release). Queensland Symphony Orchestra. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
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