The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra is set to deliver a bold and unexpected fusion of music and motorsport this April, with the world premiere of a striking new commission, Concerto del Motore.
Presented as part of the orchestra’s Symphony Series, In the Quiet, the performance will take place across 17 and 18 April 2026 at the Adelaide Town Hall, bringing together innovation, artistry and adrenaline in one compelling program.
Composed by acclaimed Australian musician Joe Chindamo, the concerto is inspired by ASO Principal Clarinettist Dean Newcomb and his unusual dual life. When he is not leading the orchestra’s clarinet section, Newcomb is behind the wheel in the high-octane world of competitive drifting.
The idea for the work emerged during a shared drive through the Barossa, where conversation revealed Newcomb’s deep passion for motorsport. What followed is a piece that captures the intensity, precision and risk inherent in both disciplines.
For Newcomb, the collaboration represents something entirely new in orchestral performance.
“Joe was interested in my love for drifting and what I was capable of behind the wheel as well as a musician. There was a desire to create something that hasn’t been done before in the orchestral world and make a statement about the commitment required to pursue any passion to the extreme,” he said.
Chindamo describes the concerto as an exploration of risk and human instinct.
“It’s been a thrill to work closely with Dean to create a concerto that reflects not only his artistry and musicianship, but the life he leads beyond the stage,” he said.
“For me, the piece is about the romance of risk, and that slightly perverse human instinct to flirt with danger. It moves from the solitude of the driver before the race into the spectacle of the track, not unlike a soloist stepping on stage, where danger, play and triumph collide.”
The program pairs this contemporary world premiere with the reflective beauty of Quiet City by Aaron Copland, a work known for its atmospheric stillness and lyrical solos. ASO musicians Peter Duggan and David Khafagi take centre stage in this piece, offering a contrasting moment of calm.
The evening concludes with Symphony No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, a sweeping and emotionally rich work celebrated for its warmth and romanticism.
Together, the program reflects the ASO’s ongoing commitment to both innovation and tradition, bringing new Australian compositions to life while honouring beloved classics.
“Performing and commissioning new music is, and always has been, in the ASO’s DNA. Orchestras are not museums and new work constantly renews our artform,” said Simon Lord, ASO Director of Artistic Planning.
The performance forms part of the orchestra’s 90th anniversary season and its flagship Symphony Series, which continues to attract strong audiences across its 2026 program.
Event details
What: In the Quiet – Symphony Series
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
When: 17–18 April 2026
Featuring: World premiere of Concerto del Motore by Joe Chindamo
Also on the program: Quiet City by Aaron Copland and Symphony No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff
For tickets, go to: aso.com.au
