Although nicknamed ‘Tragic’, it’s the symphony’s bubbly vitality and sublime melodies that impress. Schubert’s composing career lasted less than 20 years, but he produced an enormous number of compositions. However, because of Beethoven’s prominence at the time, Schubert’s fourth symphony, completed in 1816, didn’t receive a public première until 1849, more than two decades after the composer’s death.

Conducting the DSO for the first time will be Australian Benjamin Bayl. Having completed his studies in England, he has gone on to establish an impressive career, conducting leading orchestras and opera companies in Australia and Europe. He is the Co-Founder of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, and currently the Associate Director of The Hanover Band (a leading UK period-instrument orchestra).

Robert Orr, NZSO’s Principal Oboe, is our soloist in Mozart’s Oboe Concerto. This concerto displays Mozart’s unique hallmarks of achingly beautiful melodies in the slow movement, counter-balanced by light-hearted, lively outer movements.