Musical Enchantment

The Maroondah Symphony Orchestra’s “Musical Enchantment” concert will feature some of your favourite romantic melodies both cavalier and charming. Franz von Suppé’s lively “Light Cavalry Overture” is the opening call to attention – preparing the stage for the sweeping melodies of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 – a ‘tour de force’ featuring guest pianist Ben Fu. Bizet will take you to a world of rustic Spanish passion and romance with the unforgettable dance tunes of his Carmen Suite No 1. Then be swept away to the enchanting English countryside by the beautiful ‘Rosymedre’ Prelude of Vaughan Williams. And finally, the great melodic master, Tchaikovsky, will have you holding your breath for the start of his Capriccio Italien before unleashing some of his most magical orchestral moments, inspired by the sounds of Italy. The afternoon will have you enthralled by the Orchestra’s expressive range and technical skill.

Soloist: Ben Fu, Piano

19-year-old Ben Fu is a 1st year student (2024) at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying piano with Glenn Riddle. He has won both Preston Symphony Concerto Competition and the Boroondara Concerto Competition and made his concerto debut in 2022 performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 3 with the Preston Symphony Orchestra. Other awards include winning the PolMusicA Music Competition, the Ann and Chris Krans Award, the Margaret Green Scholarship and the Reg Lewis Scholarship. Ben is a keen chamber music player, and recitalist, and he frequently records for 3MBS radio.

In 2023, Ben was invited to perform in the ‘Showcase series’ in Sydney International Piano Competition, performing Ravel’s Scarbo from Gaspard de la Nuit . Ben has also been invited to perform in the Lunchtime Concert Series at St. Peter’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Diamond Creek Uniting Church.

Conductor: Willem van der Vis