Gippsland Symphony Orchestra in concert – “Symphonic Masters”

Listen back to the 3BBR-FM Concert Hall from Sun December 1st, presenting the recent Gippsland Symphony Orchestra concert under the direction of David Williams OAM, with guest soloist Niels Bijl on saxophones. 

Sergei Prokofiev – Selections from Romeo and Juliet Suite 1 & 2


This ballet composed in 1935-1936 is based on William Shakespeare’s play of the same name.  Prokofiev also arranged three orchestral suites and a set of ten piano pieces from the music for the ballet.  The GSO has selected from suites 1 and 2 for this performance: Montagues and Capulets, Madrigal, Minuet, Masks, Death of Tybalt, Friar Laurence, and Romeo at Juliet’s Tomb.  Prokofiev’s suites are some of the most memorable and dramatic moments from the ballet, capturing the essence of his powerful and evocative compositional style. The suites are often performed in concert and have become popular pieces in the orchestral repertoire.



Claude Debussy – Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra – soloist Niels Bijl


In 1901 American saxophonist Elise Hall had requested Claude Debussy to compose a piece for the saxophone, however, he didn’t take the commission seriously and looked scornfully on the abilities of Hall as a saxophonist and as such did not work on the commission for some time.  Hall made many trips to Paris to meet with Debussy and he eventually began to work on the piece and sent the score for saxophone and piano to Hall in 1911.  It was subsequently arranged for orchestra by Jean Roger-Ducasse in 1919.

ENCORE: Nick Russoniello — Dawn Searching


Soloist Niels Bijl

, saxophone

Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4


This is a monumental work in the symphonic repertoire, composed in 1884-1885.  This highly regarded symphony explores emotional depth, structural coherence, and symphonic innovation, making it a cornerstone of Romantic symphonic repertoire.  After its premiere performance, the symphony received mixed reviews.  Listeners were challenged by the dense, rich textural colours and the complexity of its structures.  It is now viewed as the work of a genius and rightly celebrated as one of the great symphonic achievements, a work that combines romantic intellectualism and emotional expressionism.  The fourth symphony by Brahms places him in the vanguard of symphonic composers, a rightful heir to Beethoven’s crown.


This performance was recorded on the 10th November 2024 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul by 3BBR.

Missed the broadcast? Listen back via our radio-on-demand service before 26 January 2025.

3BBR FM… proudly supporting local fine music.