Glowing Brass in the City

Grand and triumphant

From grand entrances to triumphant finales, brass instruments are often called upon for music's most moving moments. Experience the world-class brass musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at their best in this glowing all-brass concert, with the City Recital Hall an ideal venue to experience all the glory of these gleaming instruments.  

It was artworks by his friend Viktor Hartmann that inspired Mussorgsky to write Pictures at an Exhibition, and the brilliant musical colours of the brass will bring them to life. The towering final movement, The Great Gate of Kyiv, is one of classical music's best-loved moments, and is even more spectacular as a brass-only fanfare. 

The music of the Baroque is known for being grand, bright and sparkling – qualities ideally suited to brass instruments. Each member of the section gets to shine in this enchanting and elegant suite of music from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, which borrows elements from theatrical dances to create a tremendous sense of energy and movement.  

Coupled with gorgeous shorter works by John Williams and Morten Lauridsen, there is no music better suited to the rich, glowing soundworld of brass instruments than these shimmering classics. 

• Program

  John Williams

  Fanfare for a Festive Occasion

  Purcell arr. Crees

  The Fairy Queen: Suite

  Morten Lauridsen

  O magnum mysterium  

  Mussorgysky arr. Howarth

  Pictures at an Exhibition 

• Artists

  Musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra