An Enjoyable Way to See the World and Explore Classical Music

We have just finished watching the first series of Classical Destinations. We enjoyed the thirteen episodes and were chuffed that the composer of the theme music, Paul Terracini, was working beside us last year at Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst.

There is some gorgeous scenery and beautiful music in the series. We enjoyed the episodes about Bach and Mozart. I loved the Prague episode, with Simon Callow showing us around some locations in Prague where Amadeus was filmed.

The thirteenth and last episode is particularly moving, featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. We are told of the tense relationship which Shostakovich had with the communist authorities, and of the bravery of Russian people during the 1942 siege of Leningrad.Hundreds of thousands of people died during the siege, but students continued to do exams, composers kept composing and people tried to keep living as normal lives as possible.

When Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony was performed, half of the orchestra had died of hunger. The performance went ahead, with the instrument of each deceased member placed respectfully on their usual seat.

A poignant story to conclude the first series.

My wife, Joan and I now look forward to watching the second series, featuring Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Do You Have Some Great Musical Ideas?

Jared Killey, composing

Mitchell Conservatorium is proud to announce a composition competition for Bathurst residents, aged eight to eighteen. You can write in any style, for any combination of instruments and voices. Your piece could be a solo or for a group.

Full details of the competition are available from the Mitchell Conservatorium office, which is in the right-hand wing of Bathurst Court House in Russell St. Please phone 6331 6622 for more information.

Prizes range from a $50 encouragement prize for 8 to 11 year olds, to a $350 first prize for 16 to 18 year olds.

The entries must be submitted by Friday, 17th September, 2010.

Our adjudicator is distinguished composer, Paul Terracini. You can hear several of Paul's great works at this page, or you might like to check out the Youtube video below, which features Nikki Vasilakis playing his theme for the SBS television program Classical Destinations.