Sunday 16 November, 3:00pm
Mozart: Symphony No 35 ‘Haffner’
Strauss: Horn Concerto No 1
Beethoven: Symphony No 7
Conductor: Monica Buckland
Soloist: Ben Jacks
: French Horn
The KPO presents an afternoon of celebration and exuberance. From the folk-like main theme of the first movement to the whirling excitement of the finale, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 is propelled by rhythmic energy, inspiring Wagner’s description of it as “the apotheosis of the dance”. Under the direction of Monica Buckland, the concert opens with Mozart’s elegant Haffner Symphony, then soloist Ben Jacks performs one of the most dazzling French Horn concertos in the repertoire, Richard Strauss’s Concerto No. 1.
Monica Buckland
Monica Buckland is a freelance conductor, teacher and coach.
Since 1 May 2019 she has been Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and is now Musical Director of the Balmain Sinfonia.
From 2016 to 2019 she was Musical Director of the New Tyneside Orchestra, UK. She continues to teach at Durham University and the Palucca Hochschule, Dresden.
In November 2015, Monica Buckland was elected an «Associate of Newnham College, Cambridge». 2008–2014 she was Artistic Director of the Universitätsorchester Dresden (Germany). She also lectured at the TU Dresden and the Palucca University of Dance, where she has been part of the MA Choreography team since 2017. 2004–2006 she was Director of the Conservatoire Supérieur et Académie de Musique Tibor Varga in Sion (Switzerland).
Ben Jacks
Ben Jacks is one of the most accomplished horn players of his generation, celebrated for his artistry and technical excellence. For 25 seasons, he served as Principal Horn with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing under renowned conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy, David Robertson, and Simone Young. More recently Ben has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle and Daniel Harding, the Hong Kong Philharmonic with Jaap van Zweden, and the Australian World Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and worked with many of the world’s leading conductors, including Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, Riccardo Muti, and Valery Gergiev. His performances have taken him to iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Vienna, Symphony Hall Chicago and Philharmonie Berlin.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Ben’s recent highlights include being featured horn artist at the 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music. His debut album, Rhapsodie, conducted by Barry Tuckwell, remains a landmark recording in the horn repertoire. Ben has performed Mozart and Strauss concertos with Australia’s leading orchestras, as well as Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings. Ben has also performed Schumann’s demanding Konzertstüch in Sydney, Perth and Hobart. As a founding member of the Australian Brass Quintet, Ben has explored and performed much of the Brass Quintet repertoire and collaborates regularly with all styles of ensembles.
Ben’s passion for education is evident in his longstanding role at the Australian National Academy of Music, where he mentors the next generation of horn players. Many of his students have gone on to hold positions in prestigious orchestras in Australia, Europe, and the United States. His teaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision, musicality, and professional readiness, supported by his extensive network of international horn experts. Previously, Ben also served on the faculty of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, shaping benchmarks for brass performance education.
Ben’s contributions to the world of music have been met with critical acclaim, with reviews highlighting his "beauty, ease, and flawless technique" (The Horn Call, US) and "spectacular performances" (Classical CD Review, US). Whether performing on stage, recording, or teaching, Ben continues to inspire audiences and students with his dedication to excellence and his unwavering passion for music.