Elder Hall has ASO touch

Music

The presence of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will be felt in Elder Hall this month in more ways than one.

The ASO returns to historic Elder Hall on Wednesday 25 November for the second of its Classic Hour concerts, Haydn in Spring.

Featuring works by Pärt, Respighi, Skalkottas and Haydn, the orchestra will perform at 1.00pm and again at 6.00pm under the direction of its Chief Conductor, Arvo Volmer.

Just a few days later, Arvo Volmer will then return to the University of Adelaide to direct the Elder Conservatorium of Music's full choral and orchestral forces, in the final concert of the 2009 Evenings at Elder Hall concert series at 6.30pm Saturday 28 November.

This concert will see the first performance of a new work for soprano, chorus and orchestra, Requiem, by Carl Crossin.

Known primarily as Conductor of the Adelaide Chamber Singers and the Elder Conservatorium Chorale, Crossin is well known and respected throughout Australia as a choral conductor, educator and, more recently, composer. He is also currently Acting Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

Mr Crossin said Requiem sprang from the "melodic inspiration of Gregorian Chant and the desire to explore modes of expression other than purely unaccompanied voices".

"I have worked with voices for my entire professional life and composing Requiem gave me the opportunity to combine my passion for choral sonority with the wonderful palette of orchestral colours," he said.

"It is such a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with a conductor of such international standing. I'm sure many will be inspired by Arvo to become orchestral musicians," Mr Crossin said.

Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony, Pathétique, is the other main work in the final concert's program.

Tickets to the evening concert are $25 (adult); $20 (concession) and $15 (student). For bookings phone the Concert Office on +61 8 8303 5925.

For full program details visit: www.elderhall.adelaide.edu.au