Advertisement

Maestro’s return gives him scope to build bond between old and new

The recent return of Maestro Johannes Fritzsch as Principal Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra sees him continue his legacy as world class orchestra-builder.

Mar 03, 2021, updated Mar 03, 2021
Maestro Johannes Fritzsch (Image: Supplied)

Maestro Johannes Fritzsch (Image: Supplied)

Fritzsch’s return to QSO as Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser was announced at his performance of Arabian Nights in late February, and he is the first Conductor to be reappointed to the role.

“I’m greatly looking forward to pushing the limits of the Orchestra’s quality and presence, in both concert halls and online,” Fritzsch told InQueensland.

“Queensland Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic and young at heart ensemble. The musicians are always eager to explore new repertoire, try new forms, and finding new ways to connect with our audiences across Queensland,” he said.

QSO Chair, Chris Freeman, said that the appointment extends until 2023 and the Orchestra is thrilled to see his return.

“Maestro Fritzsch remains integral to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. It is indeed a coup for the QSO and all our subscribers and music lovers to have Maestro Fritzsch own the baton as Principal Conductor.”

“He is one of the great musical leaders, a conductor we can credit with building the QSO into the world class orchestra it is today, one that is spoken of in concert halls everywhere for its musicality and integrity,” he said.

Fritzsch said the years ahead will involve growing the orchestra’s members and repertoire, and moving the Orchestra into the digital world to meet the challenges of a new cultural landscape.

“I will be working closely with the Artistic Planning team and the Players Committee to design the concert programs, we will be working on familiar and on new repertoire and presenting unknown masterpieces from the past and the present to Queensland audiences,” he told InQueensland.

“To make the Orchestra even better and to make them better known to the Australian community, I am looking forward to many broadcast concerts we have in the schedule,” he said.

Fritzsch has enjoyed a long and rewarding career both in his birthplace of Germany and throughout the world. He has given many notable performances of his heartland repertoire – especially the works of Strauss, Mahler and Wagner.

He returns to Brisbane with an excitement to bring his years of international experience to a familiar setting.

InQueensland in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

“Each orchestra and audience has its own personality, which is something that I greatly enjoy and appreciate,” he said

“Queensland has a combination of factors that make it unique to the other places I have worked and lived. It is the city of Brisbane itself, the history, the culture, the weather, the food, and the language. This all culminates in the sound and the energy the Orchestra is producing and the response it gets back from the audience”

“I have greatly enjoyed all of these things while working with QSO in recent years. It is fascinating to study the differences between various orchestras, and I’ve been very fortunate to have that opportunity.”

Fritzsch is a loved and respected member of the QSO family, formerly appointed Chief Conductor from 2008 to 2014.

“I have had the opportunity to work with this fine Orchestra for many years, I think I bring a committed and steadfast influence that provide the musicians with confidence in how I work. We are a united team that is working towards the same goal of quality music making for our audiences,” he told InQueensland.

“I feel honoured and excited to take the helm of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra again – an ensemble I got to know intimately during my time as Chief Conductor.”

In 2021, Fritzsch’s appearances include Enigma (Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10) and Breathtaking Tchaikovsky (Friday, August 6 and Saturday, August 7).

To find out more information, visit the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s website.

Local News Matters
Advertisement

We strive to deliver the best local independent coverage of the issues that matter to Queenslanders.

Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy