Supporter

James Ehnes’ encore of Ysaÿe’s 3rd Sonata earlier this season. Although I lack the ear to distinguish the good from the great, I could tell something special was happening when the entire audience strained forward in their seats to hear the soft opening notes. Even the first violins were mesmerised! These life-long musicians tapped feet, grinned widely and exchanged disbelieving glances at the virtuosity on display.

I love live concerts.  We can all now have the greatest recordings of any piece at our fingertips and earbuds, but these interpretations are fixed and can never change. Each live performance is unique; variations arising from the mood and style of the performers reveal new aspects of the score. Sometimes, like Ehnes’ encore, just the act of listening with others is its own experience. These experiences don’t happen without a strong infrastructure that supports young musicians and encourages growth, and that infrastructure requires support.

The orchestra is much more than the Maestro Evenings. It tours regularly to Queensland’s regions, bringing live classical music to the corners of our great state. It also works more directly with the community, providing the medicine of music to aged care homes, hospitals and more. Supporting QSO means sharing music in places and with people otherwise without access to it.