Romance and Rhapsody

This concert celebrates the Romantic and late-Romantic spirit, moving from Schubert’s
lyrical introspection to Tchaikovsky’s sparkling holiday magic and Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic
brilliance. Each work invites listeners into a world of emotion, imagination, and technical
mastery. Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony is a masterpiece of lyricism and delicate drama.
With only two completed movements, it nonetheless captivates with its haunting melodies,
tender harmonies, and subtle orchestral colours. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is a
kaleidoscope of festive dances which will transport you into a magical winter world. From
the lively “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the haunting “Arabia Dance” each movement
is a celebration of color, rhythm, and charming fantasy. Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano
Concerto is a tour de force of Romantic virtuosity. Known for its sweeping melodies and
technical challenges, the work allows the soloist to shine while weaving a deep, expressive
dialogue with the orchestra.

Soloist: Charlie Wu, Piano

Melbourne-born Charlie Wu is one of Australia’s brightest young musical talents.

A Year 7 scholarship student, and Concertmaster of the School Orchestra at Caulfield Grammar School, he studies piano with Glenn Riddle at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. In 2024, Charlie made his concerto debut performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor with the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra in Moscow, conducted by Ivan Nikiforchin. Since then he has performed Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D with Les Solistes de Neuchâtel in Geneva, conducted by Sergey Ostrovsky, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No 2 (with the Melbourne Sinfonia), Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (with the Cloud Concert Orchestra), Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No 1 (with the Preston and Whitehorse Symphony Orchestras), and most recently Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3 with the Camerata Orchestra, where he was awarded 1st Prize in the Boroondara Open Concerto Competition.

Internationally Charlie was awarded 1 st Prize and Best Performance of a work by a Swiss composer in the Concours International Musicale de Genève in Switzerland and was a Diplomate in the Grand Piano International Piano Competition in Moscow. Locally, he has been awarded the Musical Society of Victoria’s Nehama Patkin and Eda Schurmann Awards, and numerous other first prizes in various competitions. In 2024 at the age of 11, Charlie was awarded his AMEB LMusA performance diploma with Distinction.

Charlie has presented solo recitals for the St Paul’s Lunchtime Concert Series, Scots Church
Music Matinees Concert Series, the Austral Salon, and the Diamond Creek Concert Series. In
2026 he has been invited to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3 with the Maroondah
Symphony Orchestra, Mozart’s Piano Concerto K 414 with the Mozart Festival Chamber Players and to give solo recitals for Camberwell Music Society’s Subscription Concert Series and St George’s Church Concert Series. He also enjoys performing at aged care homes.

Charlie is a keen chamber musician, and enjoys playing tennis, swimming and chess.

Conductor: Ian McDonald

• Schubert Symphony No. 8 (unfinished)
• Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite
• Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 – Soloist Charlie Wu

George Wood PAC, Yarra Valley Grammar, Kalinda Rd, Ringwood 3134

Adult $35, Concession $30, (plus booking fee if applicable); School-age children free but must book a seat

Get tickets:

https://www.trybooking.com/DMXOO

Ticket Enquiries: