"West Side Story" is a concert of contrasts: old and new, the real and the surreal, the intimate and the epic.
7:30PM Saturday 6 December, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide
Conductor - Bryan Griffiths, Solo Piccolo - Julia Grenfell
Leonard Bernstein - Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (1957) (trans. Lavender)
Maria Grenfell — Piccolo Concerto (2025) (WORLD PREMIERE)
INTERVAL
Ron Nelson - Passacaglia (Homage on B-A-C-H) (1993)
Eiji Suzuki — Life Variations, op. 50 (2003)
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Beginning with the Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying Symphonic Dances from West Side Story which pulses with street-energy, tender lyricism, and orchestral brilliance—from the Prologue’s tension to the climactic Rumble and bittersweet Finale.
In a major highlight of our year, we proudly presents the world premiere of Maria Grenfell’s Piccolo Concerto, written especially for the Adelaide Wind Orchestra and commissioned in 2025. Featuring renowned soloist Julia Grenfell, this concerto shines a spotlight on an instrument rarely given centre stage. Expect dazzling virtuosity, unexpected lyricism, and moments of both humour and tenderness as Grenfell showcases the piccolo’s expressive capabilities in ways you’ve never heard before. This exciting new work not only adds to the Australian wind repertoire but also celebrates the creative collaboration between composer and performer—two sisters, united by music and vision.
The second half begins with Ron Nelson’s Passacaglia (Homage on B-A-C-H) which offers a noble and seamless journey of 25 variations over an eight-measure bass ostinato. This homage to Bach embeds the B-A-C-H motif in intricate counterpoint, evolving from darkness to luminous resolution.
The evening closes with Eiji Suzuki’s Life Variations, a profound and richly expressive set of variations from one of Japan’s leading contemporary composers. Written in 2003, this work explores the arc of life through a series of musical transformations—ranging from playful and whimsical to powerful and introspective.
It is a concert of rare power and imagination—challenging, immersive, and utterly unforgettable.
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