Variations – On a Theme of Love

President’s Valentine’s Message

Love.  Empires have risen and fallen on its whims.  Great oceans navigated and mighty mountains traversed.  It can be said to be the greatest motivating force known to humankind.  It has emboldened and inspired all those under its thrall to create great works of art, engineering and social justice.

It is however the quiet, gentle moments that bloom as silently as a rose, that remain unnoticed by the masses, unrecognised by history, unrecorded in the annals of prosperity, where Love truly binds us all together.

A moment of generosity in a busy world, the offer of encouragement and support to those in need, or the simple touch of held hands.  These times garnish no fanfare.  No march triumphant through Roman streets.  These manifestations of Love meld to form an overwhelming power.

The brightest candle in the darkest night.

Since, as the Bard suggests, Music is the food of Love, your orchestra shall play on.

Artistic Director – Patrick Burns

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Ipswich City Orchestra’s first concert of the 2021 season.  It is hard to believe how much the world has changed in the last 12 months and especially the struggles we have all faced on many levels.

Yet, it is wonderful that we can gather today to share in the joy of music in person – something the musicians on stage today do not take lightly.

Contemplating a concert on the theme of Love, today’s concert is a throw-back to fond memories I had growing up in the ‘90s. I can remember listening late at night to Love Song Dedications with Richard Mercer on various radio stations. Listening to Richard’s deep, dulcet voice as he read out the dedications from people across Australia with songs of Love in all facets, they could be both heart-warming and heartbreaking.

I loved hearing people’s stories, what drove them to their song selection, and how the songs added extra meaning to their relationships.  I also remember partaking in the very vogue pastime waiting with a cassette recorder on pause to record and make a mixtape for that special someone in your life.

Each song so carefully selected with meaning and purpose (and hopefully skipping the advertisements from the radio station).

So, consider today’s concert a mixtape on my reflections on all types of love.  Romantic, plutonic, forbidden, lost, hopeless, heart-wrenching, nostalgic, comedic, all of it will be covered today in a unique chamber music setting with our wonderful singers Julie Sibley and Troy Castle.

In the great words of Hans Christian Andersen, “Where words fail, music speaks”, and we look forward to sharing with you our Variations on Love and letting the music do the talking today.