Combining sweeping lyrical gestures with striking harmonies, Margaret Sutherland’s Violin Concerto is a work that’s both innovative and affable, but has been rarely seen since its premiere in 1954. The ‘rediscovery’ of this brilliant work by the ‘mother of modern Australian music’ is a great opportunity for the MSO to showcase the extraordinary talent of MSO Concertmaster Sophie Rowell. Through her career, MSO Concertmaster Sophie Rowell has become a favourite soloist, chamber musician and principal orchestral violinist on all the country’s major concert stages. She has travelled the world playing principal violin with the Scottish & Mahler Chamber Orchestras and the Vancouver, Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. This program is bookended by two enchanting works: Sibelius' powerful Finlandia and Ravel’s Mother Goose ballet suite – an exquisite orchestral depiction of the famous childrens’ tales. PROGRAM SIBELIUS Finlandia SUTHERLAND Concerto for Violin and Orchestra* RAVEL Mother Goose: Suite FEATURING Benjamin Northey, conductor Sophie Rowell, violin* Finlandia Op.26 by Jean Sibelius is used by permission of Breitkopf & Haertel, Wiesbaden, Germany. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra’ by Margaret Sutherland licensed courtesy of BMG AM Pty Ltd.