Featured image : Maestro Benjamin Northey
An exciting opportunity to see a colourful behind the scenes Open Rehearsal of The Sydney Symphony Orchestra rehearsing, Symphonic Cinema: The Planets.
Educational and enlightening this experience offered guests a rare preview into the intricacies and talents that create an effortless symphony performance. Curtain movement, instrument placement, planned pauses, choir collaboration and conductor direction all rehearsed in preparation. It was not surprising to see many students in the audience taking notes.
Throughout the 90 minute rehearsal, lively Australian conductor, Benjamin Northey, selects important moments of impact to be rehearsed. He guides the orchestra musicians individually and together, describing notes to be “lighter” or “grounded” connecting his knowledge of the music piece whilst blending the vision of the Symphonic Cinema. Northey speaks comically in this relaxed setting and also shares how helpful it is to have immediate audience feedback during a rehearsal, allowing the audience to feel valued and part of the experience.
Dutch filmmaker and director Lucas Van Woerkum sat above the orchestra witnessing it all come together as a part of the rehearsal and production for this live experience. Founder of Symphonic Cinema, Woekum, masterfully connects the relationship between film and music in the silent film, LOSS created for the symphony music, The Planets, starring British award winning actress Dame Emma Thompson.
The Planets music, by Gustav Holst (1874-1934), based on the astrological impacts on the self and ego, along with music by Charles Ives (1874-1954) and Nigel Westlake (born 1958), coincidently, timed perfectly for an opening night under the Full moon in Scorpio (Full Flower Moon) 1st of May. This will be a unique experience to witness the founding of Symphonic Cinema.
If you are a student, enthusiast or fan, a rehearsal performance is an occasion to gain connection to the conductors influence, the orchestras rehearsal notes and an added appreciation for the entire production collaboration.
Symphonic Cinema: The Planets conducted by Benjamin Northey, will be performing at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House 1st to 3rd of May 2026.
