Sydney’s finest classical musicians come together with life-affirming music to address the issue of suicide.

In the Sydney Town Hall tomorrow, World Suicide Prevention Day, the city’s finest classical musicians are coming together for a unique concert, Orchestra for Life. The evening has been organised by Roger Benedict, the Sydney Symphony’s Principal Viola and the Concert’s conductor, to raise much-needed funds for suicide education and awareness.

Three years ago, Benedict was confronted with the horror of the effects of suicide when his godson, Alex, took his own life, aged just 24. As he watched Alex’s family and friends deal with the aftermath of the tragedy, he was shocked to discover that suicide is an issue that is alarmingly prevalent within our society.

The statistic that appalled him the most was that suicide is the largest cause of death in people aged between 15 and 45, double the number from car accidents. And, in Australia alone, it accounts for seven deaths a day, with reports that for every successful attempt there are around 30 unsuccessful ones.

Concerned that relatively little was being done to address the issue; he decided to create Orchestra for Life. “Suicide affects so many peoples’ lives but all too often it is kept behind closed doors. I wanted to open things up and give people a chance to start conversations so I decided to bring together Sydney’s best musicians for a concert, not only to do that but also to show that we could be united in supporting a cause.”

Unsurprisingly he has chosen a programme of life affirming music that will send a very positive message to the audience. It begins with Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, described by some as being as charming and as witty as Mozart and Haydn. Benedict said one of the reasons he selected it was for the last movement, “it’s just wonderful; it really lifts you out your seat!”

Mozart’s Oboe Concerto follows with Diana Doherty, an oboist Benedict regards as one of the world’s greatest. “She has a wonderful presence on stage; an incredible player and a wonderful communicator, and the oboe is so pure and optimistic.”

Concert for Life from ∑ ∞ on Vimeo.

The final piece is Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, a placid and assured piece, filled with a sense of wellbeing, with none of the rage and passion usually associated with Beethoven’s work. “It’s very unique, a picture of nature. I felt that was a wonderful message for everyone: to look at nature and see how inspiring that can be.”

Including Beethoven in the evening’s programme also has a special significance for musicians as he is well known for severe bouts of mental illness and depression throughout his life. And famously, when he lost his hearing at 32 he wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament, a letter many believe was a suicide note. Fortunately, Beethoven decided against it.

“The only thing that stopped him was his work, thankfully! We’d only have had two symphonies otherwise, we’d never have heard the sixth, or the ninth!” But Benedict adds, seriously, “That’s a striking thought when we are looking at suicide prevention.”

Last week, to promote Orchestra for Life, 100 musicians lined up and played on the cliff top near the Macquarie Lighthouse, a spot notorious for suicide jumpers. The stunt sent a strong message that they were working together to “stand in the way of suicide.”

Orchestra for Life is clearly part of a very personal journey for Benedict, as well as a public one. It is also one that many others he has joined forces with can relate to too. With great compassion he said, “I believe we have a gift as musicians. We can use music to do a lot of good if we choose to. This Concert is a chance to show we care.”

As so many tragically know; suicide knows no boundaries. All profits from the event will go to Suicide Prevention Australia and Lifeline Australia to be spent on much needed research and education programs. As Benedict says, “This isn’t just about money and awareness; I hope we can help save lives too.”

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