Australasian Orchestra Inc.AO – Pure Musical Passion
Australasian Orchestra Inc.The Orchestra and Its History
Comprised of musicians from a large variety of musical and cultural backgrounds and experiences, the Australasian Orchestra (AO) is a real passion project for all involved. Having given at least twice yearly full orchestral concerts since its launch in 2014 (with the exception of its Covid pandemic hiatus period of mid-2020 to 2023), the orchestra has been highly regarded for its unique programming and powerfully dynamic concert performances of both older and more contemporary symphonic works alike.
The orchestra performs large scale orchestral works of quite a variety, from having performed beloved Classics (such as Rimsky-Korsakov‘s Scheherazade, Tchaikovsky‘s Symphonies #4-6, Elgar‘s Enigma variations, Brahms‘ Symphony No. 3), to master works (such as Shostakovich‘s Symphony No. 11, Bartók‘s Concerto for Orchestra, Rachmaninov‘s Symphony No. 2, various Prokofiev works), to many Australian works (by composers such Davidson, Grainger, Dreyfus, Pertout, Crosthwaite, Bates, Keeffe), to Eastern works (such as Gang & He Zhanhao‘s Butterfly Lovers violin concerto, Zhang Nan‘s Red River Tone Poem, various works by Julian Yu), to various relatively unheralded works (such as Reznicek‘s Donna Diana Overture, Shostakovich‘s The Gadfly Suite, Glazunov‘s Chopiniana Suite, and Borodin‘s Symphony No. 2).
The orchestra has performed alongside a host of both notable and exceedingly talented soloists. In order of performance appearance: soprano Shu-Cheen Yu, violinist Ji Won Kim, pianist Rosa Hwang, pianist Tony Gould, erhu-ist Ying Liu, violinist Terence Lu, pianist Natasha Lin, flautist Adam Richardson, violinist Christian Li, percussionist Brent Miller, violinist Louise Turnbull, clarinetist Aaron Klein and violist Rebecca Parfitt. In AO Inc.’s presented chamber concerts, the following soloists have performed: violinist Mark Sadka, violinist Hannah Church, soprano Jennifer Devanny.
The Australasian Orchestra (AO) is a symphony orchestra of Australasian Orchestra Inc., a not for profit organization whose prime purpose is to further the love of orchestral music.
AO Inc.’s Incorporation No. is: A0060858Z
Known as much for his compelling conducting as for his highly dynamic repertoire programming and advocacy for Australian works, Robert’s concert performances include a vast range of symphonic orchestral and vocal repertoire, regularly including performances with acclaimed national and international composers and soloists. He has received acclaim from top industry professionals for conducting performances of orchestral masterworks, and is also a commissioned symphonic composer, music educator, and music competition adjudicator. Robert has co-founded 4 Melbourne orchestras, including the Australasian Orchestra in 2014.
Currently the conductor of multiple ensembles of semi-professional and community standard, Robert has regularly guest conducted other ensembles throughout Victoria, while also giving workshops to choirs and orchestras of community and established education organisations in both Victoria and New South Wales. He is a music educator and has managed professional orchestra performances, including, ‘Synthony’ for its Melbourne Myer Music Bowl performances in 2021-2023.
Robert is a commissioned symphonic composer and music adjudicator, having adjudicated several local and international music competitions since 2021. Robert is a former conducting lecturer at Monash University, a conducting tutor at the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of both the University of Melbourne (MMus, conducting) and Monash University (BMus, Honours, and BPA). For more info. you can visit www.robertdora.com