Sydney Symphony Orchestra Vanguard to Launch 2015 Season Next Week

Inside the private BresicWhitney Darlinghurst art collection featuring works by some of Australia's leading contemporary artists - including Archibald Prize-winning painter Ben Quilty - Sydney Symphony Orchestra Vanguard will launch its 2015 season by taking audiences on a sensory journey of art and music.

Against a backdrop of art including Quilty's painting The Butterfly Effect, pictured, and Melbourne- based artist Callum Morton's irreverent photographic series Pie Eyed, an SSO ensemble will perform on 14 May for members of the Orchestra's acclaimed Gen X and Gen Y membership program - a vibrant group of the city's next generation of philanthropists.

The industrial space in Darlinghurst, home to lifestyle property group BresicWhitney, also features works by London-based Australian artist David Noonan, New Zealand-born digital media artist Daniel Crooks and Brooklyn-based artist Conrad Ventur.

An ensemble of SSO musicians will perform a mixed program including intimate duets, a solo from Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango and Bernard Herrmann's chilling string music made famous in the shower scene of Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Assistant Principal Cello Leah Lynn, who will perform at the event, said a combination of unique spaces and challenging art led to some thoughtful programming.

"This contemporary venue allowed us to branch out beyond traditional repertoire," Lynn said. "From Giacinto Scelsi's barren Et maintenant c'est a? vous de jouer to the gripping theme from the horror movie Psycho, we hope the program inspires some curiosity and shows people how classical musicians can comfortably step outside the box."

Vanguard is a philanthropic movement ensuring a vibrant future for the SSO. Members of Vanguard are given unique opportunities to rub shoulders with the musicians and enjoy performances beyond the concert hall.

Embracing the unexpected, Vanguard promises its members a unique and different experience at every event. Past events have taken place at an inner-city warehouse, a Kings Cross car park and a Surry Hills dance studio. Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson even treated guests a surprise performance on his Fender Stratocaster in an intimate jam session at the last Vanguard event last year, held at Carriageworks.

Vanguard is presented by lifestyle property group BresicWhitney and supported by Young Henrys and Brokenwood Wines.

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