Ensembles

Australia Ensemble | 2021 Season Launch

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

Pepe Newton February 13, 2021

Zelman Symphony Orchestra with guest “BaRock” star Alexandre Da Costa, presented two sessions’ worth of Stradivarius Magic

First Session, Beethoven Violin Concerto, Op. 61 in 3 movements Alexandre Da Costa strode on stage and took up his position, with an understated Rockstar vibe, standing before the audience resplendent in a subtly sparkling black coat and tie. He held his Stradivarius gently, presenting it face-out towards the audience as though it were a gift, before performing what almost

John Tucker December 3, 2019

Ambassador thoughts

Selby & Friends’ all-Beethoven performance was superb and essentially flawless

This is an interesting report for me to write because I suspect many of you have heard some Beethoven before now, and probably also heard Kathryn Selby and her Selby & Friends tours. Furthermore if you’re reading this on classikON, you’ve hopefully also read Phillipa’s excellent interview with Kathryn covering the themes and rich backstory of this programme. Finally, as a

John Tucker November 5, 2019

The Willoughby Symphony and guest soloist Alexandre Da Costa ended their 2019 season with a bang

As a celebratory segue to the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven‘s birth in 2020, the final Willoughby Symphony Orchestra concert for 2019 began with the instantly recognisable Egmont Overture, Op. 84. Beethoven was commissioned to compose incidental music to Goethe’s heroic play, Egmont, in 1810. From the opening majestic chords, the orchestra, ably led by concertmaster Maria Lindsay, gave a lively account,

Jennifer Foong November 5, 2019

Sarah Grunstein’s programme was a fitting way to spend a Sunday twilight on Sydney Harbour

The Australian pianist Dr Sarah Grunstein has had an illustrious international career both as a performer and educator. She has two degrees from the Juilliard School in New York and held a teaching fellowship there for four years. We arrived early so had plenty of time to read the program for this piano recital. The quality of Grunstein’s own program

Daniel Kaan November 4, 2019

Q&A with Selby & Friends’ Kathryn Selby ahead of Beethoven’s Back tour

Ahead of Selby and Friends’ 2019 season finale tour, Beethoven’s Back, classikON’s Phillipa spoke to Kathryn Selby about the enduring appeal of Beethoven, his compositional genius, and the tour’s special guests – Sydney Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Andrew Haveron, and rising star cellist, Australian Richard Narroway. classikON: Beethoven’s Back is an all-Beethoven program. Beethoven’s popularity continues to endure – why do you

Phillipa van Helden October 22, 2019

Sarah Grunstein’s intimate recital showcased her passionate playing

The Utzon Room was filled to capacity when Sarah Grunstein introduced the sonatas she would perform in her recital this warm Thursday evening. She explained how Beethoven’s Sonata No.15 in D Major, Op.28 was the last piano sonata he wrote using the classic four-movement structure. Named “Pastorale” by one of Beethoven’s early publishers, the title is mostly descriptive, although there is an

Heidi Hereth October 11, 2019

Ambassador thoughts

Sophie Rowell & Kristian Chong’s immaculate Sydney Mozart Society performance was thoroughly enjoyable

A packed hall at Chatswood Concourse welcomed violinist Sophie Rowell and pianist Kristian Chong, who are no strangers to the Sydney Mozart Society. Sophie won the ABC Young Performers Award in 2000 which gave her the opportunity to play as soloist with the major Australian orchestras. She then founded the Tankstream Quartet which won many overseas prizes before morphing into

Tony Burke September 30, 2019

Kenny Broberg showcased his virtuosity in a multifaceted, impactful recital

Kenny Broberg is rapidly becoming a notable figure in the piano world. In 2016, he was a Grand Finalist in the Sydney International Piano Competition. The following year, he won the Silver Medal at the Van Cliburn competition in Fort Worth Texas, and in 2019 he won Third Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Now, Broberg has returned

Heath Auchinachie September 10, 2019

Ironwood presented divine & distinctive string quartets in their program, “Prussian Frogs & Bohemian Princes”

The Paddington Uniting Church provided the beautiful venue for Ironwood’s concert Prussian Frogs and Bohemian Princes. It was a cold night, and after extensive warming up of their period instruments, the members of Ironwood performed Haydn’s String Quartet Opus 50 No.6 in D Major, dedicated to the Prussian King Frederick William II. It was nicknamed “The Frog” (not Freddo the

Heidi Hereth July 22, 2019

Selby & Friends provided a vivid evening of Beethoven for the Sydney Mozart Society

The latest Sydney Mozart Society concert was cleverly timed to coincide with the opening of Vivid Chatswood but, fortunately, although the visual aspect was welcoming, we were insulated from the sound effects. On this occasion, Kathryn Selby continued her well-established friendship with the Society, aided by two distinguished musicians. Andrew Haveron was born in London and studied at the Purcell

Tony Burke May 28, 2019

Goldner String Quartet’s mastery was on full display throughout Sydney Mozart Society’s imaginative programme

Why is it that the sound of the Goldner String Quartet is so distinctive? Certainly there is their perfect timing and intonation but there is more than that. I feel sure that I could pick their playing from ten recordings of top quartets just as 80 years ago one could identify the Amadeus quartet even on vinyl. Perhaps the key

Tony Burke April 9, 2019

Streeton Trio celebrates first flush of genius

The Streeton Trio can certainly be congratulated for a superb performance that introduced us to early and unfamiliar works by well-loved composers.

Margaret Steinberger November 24, 2015

Beethoven

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