Julian Smiles

WSO plays Mahler Symphony no.1 – What a night!

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra | Maestro October 18, 2025, The Concourse, Chatswood, NSW I was looking forward to the bravery of the WSO in programming Mahler’s first symphony aptly named “The Titan” and my favourite by a long chalk. I noticed with interest that there was an introductory work by an unfamiliar composer which I assumed would be akin to an

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Daniel Kaan

An awe inspiring performance from Australia Ensemble

Australia Ensemble | Concert 3 20 August 2025, John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW, Kensington. NSW PROGRAM GRENFELL: Poems of a Bright Moon (2000) FINZI: Five Bagatelles (1942) CRUMB: Vox Balaenae (1971) ARENSKY: Piano Trio no. 1 Op. 32 (1894) CORE MEMBERS: David Griffiths, clarinet, Dimity Hall, violin, Julian Smiles, cello GUEST ARTISTS: Joshua Batty, flute, Beatrice Colombis, violin. Tobias Breider, viola,

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sydney philharmonia choirs eternity in an hour eric whitacre conducts, at soh 270625. photo keith saunders (27)
Ambassador thoughts
Pepe Newton

Whitacre magically conjures up eternity in a hour

VOX conducted by Eric Whitacre | Eternity in an Hour 27 June 2025, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall , NSW Eric Whitacre doesn’t just conduct music. He sculpts it, shaping sound like putty in his hands. Watching him lead Sydney Philharmonia Choir’s 150 voice strong youth ensemble VOX at the Opera House was an experience that was as visual as

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Ambassador thoughts
Peter Hagen

…a different, beautiful and musical story with each work from Selby & Friends

Selby & Friends | Joyeux Anniversaire 8 April, 2025, Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre, VIC ARTISTS Daniel Dodds – violin Julian Smiles – cello Kathryn Selby – piano PROGRAM W.A. Mozart Piano: Trio No 5 in C major K548 – Allegro, Andante Cantabile, Allegro Alexander Zemlinsky: Piano Trio in D minor op 3 – Allegro ma non troppo, Andante,

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Ambassador thoughts
Daniel Kaan

David Griffiths with Australia Ensemble UNSW – awe inspiring

Australia Ensemble UNSW | Concert 1 22 March, 2025, John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW PROGRAM FAURÉ Piano Trio Op.120 in D minor RAVEL Sonata for violin & cello MESSIAEN Quartet for the End of Time ARTISTS David Griffiths, clarinet Dimity Hall, violin Julian Smiles, cello Andrea Lam, piano Three monumental works by French composers made for an expertly crafted program.  The

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Ambassador thoughts
Peter Hagen

The excellent musicianship of Selby and Friends

Selby And Friends | Lonely Angel November 12, 2024, Melbourne Recital Centre, VIC Artistic Director/Pianist – Kathryn Selby Violin – Dimity Hall Violoncello – Julian Smiles Joaquín Turina Piano Trio No. 2 in B minor, Op. 76 Lento, Molto Vivace, Lento Fauré Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120 Allegro ma non troppo, Andantino, Allegro vivo Pēteris Vasks Lonely Angel

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Australia Ensemble positively danced in their final 2024 concert

Australia Ensemble: Concert 4 October 10, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Program: Carl VINE | Strutt Sonata (2017) Elena KATS-CHERNIN | Blue Silence (2006/2012) Mikhail GLINKA | Trio pathétique (1832) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN | Septet in E flat Op. 20 (1800) Performers: David Griffiths, clarinet; Dimity Hall, violin; Julian Smiles, cello; with guest artists Andrea Lam, piano; Carla Blackwood, horn; Andrew Barnes, bassoon; Tahlia Petrosian, viola; and Andrew Meisel,

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Australia Ensemble with classical accordianist James Crabb – what a master!

Australia Ensemble UNSW | Concert with James Crabb 17 August 2024, John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW ARTISTS: David Griffiths, clarinet Dimity Hall, violin Julian Smiles, cello James Crabb, accordion (guest artist) PROGRAM: Ernest BLOCH | Prayer from ‘From Jewish Life’ (1924) Joaquin TURINA | Círculo Op. 91 (1936) Sofia GUBAIDULINA | Silenzio (1991/2000) Francis POULENC | Clarinet sonata (1962) Antonin DVOŘÁK | Bagatelles Op.47 (1878) Astor

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Orchestras
Pepe Newton

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra | 2025 Season Launch

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra (WSO) Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Dr Nicholas Milton AM announced nine exceptional concerts for 2025 encompassing classical masterpieces, heart-stopping film presentations and festive programs that will delight Sydney’s most passionately engaged symphonic audience. When announcing the 2025 season Dr Milton AM was delighted to share the news that 2024 subscription sales for WSO have experienced one

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Ambassador thoughts
Pepe Newton

Goldner Variations at Blackheath a hit!

Blackheath Chamber Music Festival | Goldner String Quartet – Beethoven & the Goldner Variations April 19, 2024, Phillips Hall Blackheath, NSW After 30 years the Goldner String Quartet are calling it quits, and unbelievably I had never heard them live in person until this, their final year!  It was a bit more than 30 years ago that I recall the

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Ambassador thoughts
Tony Burke

End of an era for Sydney Mozart Society with the ‘immaculate’ Goldners

The end of an era can be mourned or celebrated and the audience at Sydney Mozart Society’s latest concert certainly chose the latter course, giving the Goldner Quartet a great send-off following their final recital in this series after thirty years of performance. Dene Olding, now viewed as a friend rather than a celebrity gave a comprehensive introduction to the

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idm im do 2
Ambassador thoughts
Daniel Kaan

A well deserved standing ovation as Australia Ensemble marks the end of an era

Australia Ensemble | Carnival of the Animals October 21, 2023, John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Program: Maurice RAVEL | Mother Goose Suite (1908/10) arr. Munro (2001) Ross EDWARDS | White Cockatoo Spirit Dance (1994) Wolfgang MOZART | Piano Sonata K448 in D major for two pianos (1781) Camille SAINT-SAËNS | Carnival of the Animals (1886) Artists: David Griffiths, clarinet; Dene Olding, violin; Dimity Hall, violin; Irina Morozova, viola; Julian

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idm im do 2
Ensembles
Pepe Newton

2024 opens a new chapter for Australia Ensemble UNSW

2024 will open a new chapter for the Australia Ensemble UNSW. Core member, pianist Ian Munro will step back from the Ensemble and Dene Olding and Irina Morozova will move into their new roles as Emeritus Artists, appearing in the upcoming season alongside members Dimity Hall, violin; Julian Smiles, cello; David Griffiths, clarinet; and special guest artists. Join UNSW in

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selby&friends 2024 season media release final
Groups
Pepe Newton

Selby & Friends | 2024 Season Launched

STUNNING ~ SUMPTUOUS ~ SUPERB Selby & Friends 2024 Season showcases artists who have made significant and long-standing contributions to the Australian musical landscape, in some cases over many decades. These brilliant artists are incredibly special, not only because they are good friends and colleagues, but also because they have made the art of making music such a truly wonderful

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Selby (and friends) a master of musical texture

Selby and Friends | Iconic Fathers July 12, 2023, Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) – Piano Trio in D-Major Hob XV:24 Arnold Schoenberg (1874 – 1951) – Verklärte Nacht for Piano Trio, Op. 4 (Transcription by Eduard Steuermann) Antonin Dvořák (1841 – 1904) – Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op.90 “Dumky” Natalie Chee – violin Julian

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Ambassador thoughts
Daniel Kaan

Australia Ensemble and Andrew Goodwin’s captivating beauty

Australia Ensemble | On Song 15 April 2023, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW The Australia Ensemble, based at UNSW, has been providing Sydney audiences with impressive quality subscription series in the Sir John Clancy Auditorium since 1980. This must make them one of Australia’s most enduring chamber ensembles. The core instruments are string quartet, flute, clarinet and piano,

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Clive Lane + Marjory Ellsmore

VOX The Sacred Veil – mesmerising lightness and grace

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs |  The Sacred Veil – Eric Whitacre Conducts 17 September 2022, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall An unusual concert: focusing on the works of the American superstar choral composer, conducted by the man himself! Eric Whitacre occupies a unique position in the world of choral music. There would be few amateur and professional choirs who have not

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Ambassador thoughts
Heidi Hereth

Selby & Friends’ Archduke brings cheer and warmth

Selby & Friends | The Archduke July 19, 2022, City Recital Hall, Sydney Eagerly anticipating the arrival of Kathryn Selby’s friends, Natalie Chee and Julian Smiles onto the stage of the City Recital Hall, we were informed by Kathy that, most unfortunately, violinist Natalie Chee was in self-isolation since the previous night due to Covid. It was our good fortune

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