The Australia Ensemble UNSW are thrilled to bring their 42nd concert season to audiences this year. The season combines several major works from the cancelled 2020 programs as well as gems by lesser known composers.
2021 marks violinist Dene Olding’s 40th year with the Ensemble. Flautist Geoffrey Collins, who has been a permanent member of the Ensemble since 1983 and first performed as a guest artist in 1980, is stepping into a new role as Emeritus Artist.
The 2021 season honours three fabulous composers, continuing the Ensemble’s tradition of championing composing women: Lili Boulanger – sister of the famous composition teacher and performer Nadia Boulanger – who died tragically young at the tender age of 24; Mélanie Bonis, the prolific and gifted French Romantic composer and Australia’s own Holly Harrison, whose work Slipstream will be premiered in the final concert of the year.
The Ensemble also has a long history of championing Australian music. In 2021 they welcome the return of Gordon Kerry’s commissioned work from 2016 While the music lasts, commissioned by Professor Roger Covell’s wife Patricia Brown, as well as the Ensemble’s first ever (and most performed!) commission Café Concertino by Carl Vine.
The 2021 season centres on performances by the Ensemble’s core musicians who will bring to life programs of great contrast, transcendence and beauty, such as the elegiac Brahms’ Horn Trio, Beethoven’s youthful Quintet for piano and winds and the darkly dramatic Piano Quintet by Shostakovich, and added to these other masterpieces such as Fauré’s first Piano Quintet and the Schumann Piano Quartet.
The Ensemble also welcome guest artists Andrew Barnes, bassoon; Lerida Delbridge, violin; Robert Johnson, horn; Andrew Meisel, double bass; Lisa Osmialowski, flute; Alison Pratt, marimba; and Shefali Prior, oboe; to the stage.
In order to ensure the safety of our audience and musicians, the Australia Ensemble UNSW are offering a five-concert series, rather than the usual six, starting in April rather than March. Another change to increase patron safety is the decision to offer concerts without an interval.
Australia Ensemble UNSW 2021 Season
8pm 10 April – Dream Tracks
8pm 22 May – While the music lasts
8pm 21 August – Espresso/Espressivo
8pm 18 September – Contrasts
8pm 16 October – Slipstream
Tickets
Subscriptions on sale on Friday 19 February 2021
Single tickets on sale on Friday 9 April 2021
ae.unsw.edu.au
