Sunday 22 November, 2:30pm
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No 5
Reinecke - Flute Concerto
Mozart - Symphony No 38 'Prague' K 504
Brahms - Variations on a theme of Haydn
Conductor: Luke Spicer
Soloist: Amily He
The KPO presents a generously varied program of great works from the German tradition. Where better to begin than with Bach? His Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 is renowned today for its virtuosic solo harpsichord part. Adapted from an earlier work, this concerto was amongst a folio of six that Bach dedicated to Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg in 1721.
Mozart conducted the premiere of his Symphony No. 38 in Prague in 1787, just two days after he had directed a performance of his very popular opera The Marriage of Figaro. With its transparent textures, theatrical contrasts and stream of engaging melodies, the symphony is widely held to be imbued with the spirit of that opera.
Carl Reinecke may be considered a musical conservative, but flautists are grateful not only for his sonata, Undine, but also for his beautifully crafted Flute Concerto, from a time at the turn of the 20th century when few such works were composed. In its three movements it explores three very different characters: a sunny and pastoral first movement, a note of tragedy in the second, then bold heroism in the third. Our brilliant young soloist is Amily He, winner of the 2025 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition.
To complete the program, we perform Brahms’s majestic and richly contrapuntal Variations on a Theme of Haydn. Composed in 1873, this work began a phase of new confidence in orchestral writing for Brahms and was followed by a series of substantial works for orchestra.
Luke Spicer
Luke Spicer is an Australian conductor and music director renowned for his dynamic leadership in both operatic and symphonic contexts. Initially trained as a violist and chamber musician, he transitioned into conducting, earning acclaim for his expressive interpretations and engaging performances.
Spicer completed his Master of Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, furthering his studies in Freiburg and Manchester. He also attended the Fondazione Musicale Chigiana in Siena, where he studied under Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti. In 2016, he participated in the Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program, collaborating with renowned conductors such as Johannes Fritzsch, Giordano Bellincampi, and Marco Letonja.
In 2014, Spicer was appointed Principal Conductor of the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra, a position he still holds. He has made a significant impact in this role, bringing an innovative approach to the orchestra’s repertoire. Spicer also became Music Director of Blush Opera in Sydney in 2016 and served as Associate Conductor of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra for several years. His operatic debut came in 2015 with Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, featuring Silvia Colloca, Stacey Alleaume, and Catherine Bouchier in principal roles. In 2016, he conducted a sell-out production of Puccini’s Il Tabarro, directed by Constantine Costi.
Spicer has conducted numerous prestigious orchestras, including the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra, where he served as Guest Assistant Conductor under Simone Young and Vladimir Ashkenazy. He has also worked as a guest Assistant Conductor at The Bruckner Orchestra Linz and the Saarländisches Staatstheater of Saarbrücken.
In December 2022, Spicer conducted a critically acclaimed production of Handel’s Alcina with the National Opera Canberra, further establishing his expertise in the Baroque opera repertoire. In addition, he conducted Bizet’s Carmen for Opera Australia’s National Tour in 2021, and in 2022, he also conducted Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. His dedication to musical excellence and education continues to shape Australia’s vibrant musical community, with a focus on nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Amily He
Amily is a Year 12 student at the Conservatorium High School currently studying under Amanda Hollins, and having also previously studied with Rosamund Plummer. Her love for music began before she was big enough to even hold a flute - so at the age of 6, she started on the fife, before progressing to the piccolo a year later, and then finally the flute at the age of 10, under the guidance of Noelene Poole.
As an emerging artist, Amily enjoys engaging in competitions and performance opportunities. Her notable achievements include winning the 2025 Australian Flute Festival Piccolo 32 and Under, the 2025 KPO NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition, and 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod’s Open Age Woodwind Concerto.
Amily is frequently involved in her school’s music programs, participating in their termly concerts in both the orchestra and choir, and also having led music rehearsals in preparation for the yearly House Concerts as a House Captain. She draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists - from James Galway to Wouter Kellerman - and aspires to pursue a future career in music.
Outside of her musical commitments, Amily enjoys playing video games, crocheting and spending time with her cat.