Brahms - Variations on a Theme by Haydn - Op.56 | The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Associate Professor Richard Davis and featuring our very best student classical musicians, is the premier large performance ensemble at the University.

This year, the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will undertake its first international tour to Asia, giving our exceptional students the chance to shine on the world stage.

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is supported by The Sidney Myer and MSO Trust.

[derekfoster]

Excellent tone - well done all. Thank you

[riverwildcat]

Wonderfully well played. A great work.

[AVAREVONSTOCKARD]

Also known as St Anthony's Chorale, a favorite!

[elyeayeayea]

Can someone tell me what are the variations?

[paulspalace]

Focus Hamburger concerto brought me here

[Brandon-jlcl]

One of the bassoons is out of tune and it's driving me absolutely bonkers.

[operasanger]

This is one of my absolute favorite pieces in the entire classical catalogue and I came here hoping to find an inspired performance from what is clearly a very fine university orchestra. But unfortunately, this was a rather bland, plodding and workmanlike effort. This piece has passion, drama, humor, intrigue and charm, and sadly none of that was evinced in this performance. It was as though the musicians and the maestro were content to simply get the notes right and stay on beat. At the end of the day, I believe Prof. Davis should have challenged his players more. Showed them all the colors and range in the piece and demanded their play rise to that level. Otherwise, why select this particular piece, if not to showcase your most talented players? But you can tell by the tempos he set and the instructions he gave the players that he wasn't really interested in moving the needle much, despite some very competent individual performances. If this orchestra is going to be touring again, once that option returns, I would highly recommend they offer performances that bring something vibrant and exciting to the table. I'm quite sure they're capable. At least, this group was. Under the right baton, they just needed to be asked. A missed opportunity to be sure, but certainly not a death sentence. I wish them all well, no doubt there are several fine careers ahead in this bunch. I'll also look forward to future offerings from this school's orchestra.