Power & Paradise Come Together In Spectacular Philharmonic Season Opener

Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its exciting 2019 Concert Season featuring four unique and breathtaking orchestral and stunning chamber proms concerts, each meticulously curated and designed to enthral and engage audiences of all tastes.

The WPO's Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Lee Bracegirdle opens the year conducting a program entitled POWER & PARADISE on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March at the orchestra's St Columba Uniting Church home in Woollahra. And outstanding Australian international pianist Phillip Shovk is guest soloist with the iconic 'Rach 2'!

The program opens with the fittingly symbolic Walk to the Paradise Gardens by Delius. This is a stunningly beautiful work that will seduce listeners from its opening notes to its final sigh. Also featured is the dramatic irony and contrast of Mozart's final symphony, the Jupiter - a spectacular work that set the benchmark for classical form and melody.

One of the greatest milestones in the piano repertoire, Rachmaninov's magnificent Piano Concerto Number 2 completes the program. Filled with Russian pathos and unimaginable beauty, this virtuosic and breathtaking concerto features the charismatic and unmistakable talents of Phillip Shovk.

Phillip Shovk is considered to be one of Australia's foremost concert pianists, chamber musicians, accompanists and pedagogues.

After graduation from Sydney Conservatorium High School he furthered his studies at the Moscow State Conservatory, graduating as a Master of Fine Arts with highest marks in all musical subjects.

In 1987 he became a Laureate at the Vianni di Motta competition in Lisbon and followed up with prizes at the Sydney International Piano Competition and International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Phillip has performed to great acclaim in Russia, Georgia, Portugal, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, New Zealand, China, USA, Spain, Norway and the UK.

He has adjudicated at countless Australian and international piano competitions, taught at the Conservatoire Rachmaninoff in Paris, the Australian Institute of Music and Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.

He is presently Lecturer in Piano and Accompaniment at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Phillip Shovk's CD releases include Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky on the Master Performer's label and Mozart Violin Sonatas arranged for 2 pianos with colleague Daniel Herscovitch for Toccata Classics.

WPO Chief Conductor & Artistic Director Lee Bracegirdle says this iconic program will lift audiences "to starry heights" "Rachmaninov's 2nd is an absolute cracker, dragging its listeners through a whirlwind of emotions.

The luscious, voluptuous Walk to the Paradise Garden of Delius is a musical journey into sensuousness, and is the most enduring section of instrumental music from a fascinating opera that is sadly neglected.

And Mozart's final symphony, the no. 41 is an enlightening vision into the working mind of a true genius who points the way for future generations of symphonic composers... and at the same time challenges them to do better!"

WOOLLAHRA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: POWER & PARADISE
Conductor: Lee Bracegirdle, Piano: Phillip Shovk
St Columba Uniting Church, corner Ocean and Forth Streets Woollahra
Saturday 30 March 5.30pm | Sunday 31 March 2.30pm
Tickets: $35-$25, children under 12 free
Bookings: www.ticketbooth.com.au More information 0411 150 567 or www.wpo.org.au.