The Australian Open has enlisted the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to reimagine the tournament’s signature theme, “Sound of the AO”.
The theme debuted at the 2022 Australian Open to greet crowds entering Rod Laver Arena and players waiting to take the court.
The newly orchestrated theme will debut at the 2026 Australian Open.
The MSO has a longstanding musical connection with sport.
At the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, much of the music heard was actually recordings of the MSO while the Sydney Symphony Orchestra mimed.
Everyone involved had been required to sign non-disclosure agreements, including the musicians. Eight years later, the subterfuge was leaked to the media.
Although it’s not unusual for backing tapes to be used to beef up sound and eliminate errors at live performances, for one orchestra to mime another’s playing, instead of their own, seemed bizarre when the news came to light – particularly as both are élite orchestras.
In 2016, the MSO partnered with the Australian Football League (AFL) to present “The Draw: A Symphony”.
The score was composed by Tamil Rogeon to accompany highlight vision of the Australian Rules football grand final of 2010, which resulted in a draw. A replay of the grand final was required the following week to decide the premiers.
The 2010 grand final was the third draw in the then 113 years of the AFL – and the last. The indecisive result inspired a new system of “extra time”.
This year, Tennis Australia decided to recruit the MSO to lend its theme “an epic, cinematic treatment… designed to capture the energy and emotion of the Australian Open”.
“Sound of the AO” was composed and originally recorded by Ralph van Dijik and Ramesh Sathiah from Resonance Sonic Branding.
By blending the original version with the “orchestral power” of the MSO, “the result is a piece that mirrors the rhythm of a tennis match itself – the tension, release, the dramatic highs and lows.”
Led by conductor Nicholas Buc, 55 members of the orchestra recorded his new arrangement.
“It’s about enhancing what was already there originally,” says Maestro Buc.
“We’ve got bold brass, driving strings, and it really has a quality and sound that matches with a sporting hook. First and foremost, it’s got a really catchy and melodic hook.
“I think this piece would be very comfortable on a concert hall stage, as well as on a tennis court.”
Title photo by Tennis Australia