Old ideas, new stories

Join the MSO for a Relaxed Performance. 

In our current culture, artistic lines between different voices are increasingly blurred. We draw inspiration from one another across nations, and time but this may be a double-edged sword. New stories are difficult to tell when like begets like. Composers today walk a fine line between old and new ideas. Innovation through rethinking old ideas creates new stories to be told. Our global interconnectivity and enmeshment of artistic ideas creates a shared consciousness of sorts; sounds that evoke certain memories, textures and soundscapes that provoke certain emotions. Tweaking just the right idea creates a new branch on the tree.

Using old tunes, Bryce Dessner breathes new life into colonial songs of bloody murder. Strange and dark, we hear from the likes of Omie Wise and Sister Polly and how they met their unfortunate ends in the Murder Ballades.

A string quartet is one of the most fundamental musical forms throughout history. Genre-defying composer Joe Chindamo synthesises his musical essence into his first quartet. Tempesta is a musical autobiography of sorts because it takes stock of all that came before and points assuredly to what is in store.

Aaron Copland's Short Symphony has been called one of the 'most cancelled major works of [the 20th] century.' His frustrations with the difficulty of the work led him to arrange the piece for Sextet in the hopes of procuring more performances. Now considered one of his finest compositions, Copland remarked 'one learns to have patience.'

Holly Harrison takes the humorous text from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and transports us down the rabbit hole straight into the Mad-Hatters Tea Party. Frivolous and delightfully strange, please join the MSO for a cup of tea!

The MSO's relaxed performance will take place with elements adapted to reduce anxiety and discomfort. We warmly welcome people with a disability, including those with sensory sensitivities and other access needs.

Tickets

Single tickets on sale Thursday 30 October 2025.

Want to book Season Tickets? 

Season tickets are on sale now via the MSO website.

Artists

Wendy Clarke flute
David Thomas clarinet
John Arcaro percussion
Louisa Breen piano
Tiffany Cheng violin / curator
Anna Skálová violin
Jenny Khafagi viola
Caleb Wong cello
Nick Kuiper narrator

Program

Bryce Dessner
Murder Ballades

Joe Chindamo *
String Quartet No.1 Tempesta

Aaron Copland
Sextet

Holly Harrison
The Mad-Hatter's Tea Party

* MSO Composer in Residence