Lifted - Spirits of the Air

Prepare to be transported through a concert journey exploring the ethereal beauty of flight and vastness of the sky.

This program brings together three masterpieces that capture the essence of the aerial world, from the delicate flutter of a single bird to the monumental power of a shifting atmosphere.

Joined by violinist, Courtenay Cleary the orchestra will perform Vaughan Williams' stunning work "The Lark Ascending". Inspired by the poetry of George Meredith, this romantic work mirrors the soaring, spiralling flight of a lark over the English Countryside.

Our feathered friends are also the feature in Respighi's charming neo-classical suite, "The Birds". Through clever orchestration, the composer mimics the distinctive characters of various birds - from the rhythmic clucking of a hen through to the mournful call of a nightingale.

The major work on the program is Sibelius' Symphony no.7. This single movement work flows between dark and light, with feelings of weightlessness and longing. Envisage the wintry Finnish landscape filled with cold, fresh air and vast spaces, snow-capped peaks and expansive forests. Shifting between brooding storm clouds and sudden bursts of light, the music reflects the dramatic transitions of the Nordic landscape, concluding with a fiery sunset. It will be a truly sensory experience.

Proudly sponsored by the Brisbane City Council