Hugh Robertson

5 days ago | sydneysymphony.com | Hugh Robertson

By Hugh RobertsonIn the middle of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage, Terry Harper stands alone at the piano, putting the instrument through its final tuning and checks. The cavernous auditorium is empty; his only audience the production staff scurrying around setting up for this morning’s concert. You have never heard this man play one single note, but he is one of the most important people in the modern history of music in Sydney.

2 weeks ago | startsat60.com | Hugh Robertson

Sometimes (if you’re a nice person), it’s worth considering buying shares for your children, grandchildren, or if you are both lucky and optimistic, great grandchildren. Many years ago, we bought a collection of internet stocks for our kids, and it turned out to be a bonanza. Sadly, the stocks were sold to get into the housing market. It’s the typical Australian story. Why risk your money with shares when you can buy an overpriced house? I suppose it’s called peace of mind.

2 weeks ago | sydneysymphony.com | Hugh Robertson

Who Was Richard Strauss? 23 May, 2025 The German composer and conductor Richard Strauss (1864–1949) is beloved by audiences and musicians around the world for his richly-textured musical works. We asked Chief Conductor Simone Young and Principal Guest Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles, two of the world’s great Strauss conductors, for their insights into the man and his music ahead of two concerts that promise to be highlights of our 2025 Season.

2 months ago | sydneysymphony.com | Hugh Robertson

“True Music Is a Revelation, It’s a Medicine”: Daniel Lozakovich Spreads the Good Word 07 April, 2025 Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich is a young man full of passion for life and music. Ahead of his Australian debut in May he talks about the transcendent power of art and the ‘otherworldly’ Sibelius Violin Concerto. By Hugh RobertsonDaniel Lozakovich is reaching for eternity.

2 months ago | sydneysymphony.com | Hugh Robertson

By Hugh RobertsonYou have all seen it, I’m sure, clogging your social media: torrents of soulless slop churned out by AI. Whether infringing the copyright of authors on an industrial scale or directly copying the art style of beloved filmmakers, our tech autocrats glibly assert that ‘this is progress’ as they squeeze all of the joy and humanity out of art. How do we combat this rising tide of computer-hallucinated garbage? If you ask Sir Stephen Hough, the answer could be Johannes Brahms.