MATTHEWS/DEBUSSY Les Couleurs Debussique 

ARUTIUNIAN Trumpet Concerto  

BARTLETT Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre (2020)  

- interval - 

SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3 “Organ”  

Bravo Bendigo presents a spectacular showcase of local talent, featuring musicians and composers from central Victoria as well as from Bendigo Symphony Orchestra’s very own ranks.  

John Matthews steps from his role as BSO’s bassoonist into that of composer/arranger with his colourful and evocative Les Coloures Debussiques. Taking three of Debussy’s most popular works from across his life, John has woven together a masterful medley. Experience the dreamy Arabesque No. 1, cheeky Cakewalk from the Children’s Corner Suite, and charmingly languorous La plus que lente in this characterful reimagining. 

BSO’s principal trumpetist Kaid Normington takes centre stage as soloist in Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto. This concerto features sparkling virtuosity as well as sumptuous orchestral writing, and has been dubbed almost ‘too popular’ in the trumpet repertoire.  

Composer and BSO cellist Cally Bartlett transports us to a magical South Australian landmark in her Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Inspired by the vivid imagery in a children’s story, Cally’s work captures the phenomenon of the lake filling with water. Commissioned by the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2021, the orchestra are delighted to be performing this work again.  

This concert concludes with the power and grandeur of Saint-Saens’ Symphony No. 3 – ‘The Organ’. The Organ Symphony demonstrates Saint-Saens’s great imagination and passion, and you’ll recognise its infectiously joyous coda from the film Babe. BSO are privileged to be joined by Thomas Heywood, who has a reputation as one of the world’s finest organ virtuosos, to present this awe-inspiring work.