Symphony Central Coast will present Into the Unknown at Central Coast Grammar School on April 14.
The symphony opens its 2024 season with a concert featuring the unknown, unanswered and unfinished.
Franz Schubert completed two movements of his Symphony in B minor in 1822 but it was unknown and unperformed for 40 years.
He gave the musical score to a friend who promptly put it in a drawer and forgot about it.
But it has since become one of classical music’s most loved works with unforgettable and charming tunes and the mystery of why there are only two movements and not the usual four.
Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations similarly presents a mystery which will probably never be solved.
When he wrote the work, a series of variations inspired by and dedicated to his friends, he said that it was based on a ‘dark saying’ that must be left unguessed and through and over the work another and larger theme ‘goes’ but is not played.
Of course many have tried to guess what this ‘dark saying’ and larger theme might be, from a lutheran hymn to God Save the Queen to Pop Goes the Weasel.
Elgar accepted none of the solutions proposed in his lifetime and took his secret to the grave.
Charles Ives’ work The Unanswered Question features a string orchestra who represent “The Silences of the Druids – who know, see and hear nothing”.
A solo clarinet intones “The Perennial Question of Existence” and the hunt for “The Invisible Answer” is undertaken by a flute quartet, gradually becoming faster, louder and more impatient.
Artistic Director and Conductor Steven Stanke said the concert would bring the best music to the Coast and show off performers.
“This concert is a chance to reflect and ponder on life’s mysteries, through an afternoon of great music,” he said.
Musical professor Joe Wolfe will give a short talk between pieces in the first half of the concert.
The show will be performed at 2.30pm on April 14 at Central Coast Grammar School Performing Arts Centre, Arundel Rd., Erina Heights.
Book at https://auccgs.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/130797
Advance bookings strongly suggested as only limited tickets will be available on the day, if not sold out.