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An evening with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is coming to Ringwood. On Friday 18 September, the orchestra joins harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout at George Wood Performing Arts Centre for a programme devoted to Bach and Handel.
For Maroondah listeners, the practical appeal is close to home: a chance to hear the MSO at Yarra Valley Grammar, with a 7:30pm start and a programme that includes Handel’s Water Music Suites Nos. 1 and 2.
From the Thames to Ringwood
Water Music began with a very different outing. In 1717, King George I commissioned Handel to supply music for a party on the River Thames. The king reportedly asked to hear it repeatedly. More than three centuries later, that music forms part of this Ringwood concert.
There is an Australian connection at the keyboard, too. Bezuidenhout was born in South Africa and grew up in Australia, where he began his studies. Now based in London, he performs on harpsichord, fortepiano and modern piano.
At this concert, he will play his own harpsichord arrangement of Contrapunctus XIV from Bach’s The Art of Fugue. The rest of the programme moves between orchestral suites, an opera overture, a concerto grosso and music from a Bach cantata.
The programme
J.S. Bach: Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066
J.S. Bach, arranged by Bezuidenhout: Contrapunctus XIV from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
Handel: Overture to Admeto
Handel: Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 5 in D minor
J.S. Bach: Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 52, Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht
Handel: Water Music, Suites Nos. 1 and 2
Planning your visit
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 7:30pm.
Where: George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Yarra Valley Grammar, 84–90 Kalinda Road, Ringwood.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
Tickets: Adult $60; concession $55; child under 18 $20; under 35 $35. The venue advertises a booking fee of 2.5% + 50c.
Age suitability: The venue lists the concert as suitable for ages 12+.
Accessible booking: Spaces marked with a wheelchair icon do not include a physical seat. Check the seating plan carefully when choosing tickets.
Tickets were available when checked for this feature. Check the venue’s current seating and prices before booking.
Please check the event website for the most up-to-date information, as event details are subject to change without notice.
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Photograph: Kristian Bezuidenhout. Credit: Marco Borggreve. Supplied by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.