Perspective & Celebration – OUR DEBUT ALBUM

Historical Insights & New Perspectives with historically informed orchestra's debut album and own record label.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Crackling with dramatic energy throughout... a worthy tribute to
and continuation of [Richard] Gill’s ardent musical trailblazing." (Limelight – read the review)

Internationally-renowned experts in historically informed performance, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra has released its debut album, Perspective & Celebration. Released on 2 September 2022, the album features some of Australia’s most highly respected musicians musicians performing music by Beethoven and Mendelssohn.  

Founded in 2013 under the artistic direction of renowned musician and educator, the late Richard Gill, and now led by co-artistic directors Nicole van Bruggen and Rachael Beesley, the orchestra explores forgotten techniques and performance styles to bring historical insights and new perspectives to masterpieces from the Classical and Romantic periods.

Perspective & Celebration features performances highlighting the orchestra’s journey over the last ten years, including a recording from the ensemble’s first-ever public performance. The album also features Richard Gill conducting Mendelssohn’s stormy and dramatic Overture to The Hebrides, popularly known as the ‘Fingal’s Cave’ overture. 

“It is with great enthusiasm and resolve that we present this live album,” say Beesley and Van Bruggen. “Throughout the past decade we have been guided by our twin goals of performing repertoire from the Classical and Romantic eras, and carrying on the legacy of Richard’s deep devotion to music education. His energy, enthusiasm and peerless musicianship remain an inspiration to this day, and we are delighted that this debut album includes a recording of Richard conducting the orchestra live in concert.”

This marks the first release on the orchestra’s own record label, ARCOLIVE, with further audio and audiovisual releases planned. Throughout its existence the orchestra has worked with world-renowned producers and engineers to capture their acclaimed live performances, and have a significant archive to draw on for future releases. Multi-media artwork by Lisa Goldberg is featured on this new label. Details of our future releases will be announced soon.

TRACKLISTING

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
1. String Symphony No.10 in B minor
Rachael Beesley | Director

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
2. The Hebrides, Op.26: Overture – ‘Fingal’s Cave’
Richard Gill | Conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Symphony No.7 in A Major, Op.92
3. I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
4. II. Allegretto
5. III. Presto – Assai meno presto (trio) 
6. IV. Allegro con brio
Rachael Beesley | Director

Perspective & Celebration is available on CD, digital download and as high-resolution download.