Australian String Quartet National Season 2017
Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Melbourne Perth Sydney
Be part of the sto Imagine a world with more music Music has the power to transcend the mundane moments in our lives and unlock potential for discovery and inspiration. As the Australian String Quartet, we are committed to this journey and invite you to join us. From our bustling city centres to the regional communities at the heart of our nation, our 2017 story is diverse, expansive and compelling. Come with us to the finest concert halls around the country for three stunning National Season programs; pack your overnight bags for indulgent regional festival experiences as we perform with leading guest artists; and hang out with us at small and intimate venues for our new Close Quarters series around the country. Be a part of the story and see the world through our coloured musical lens. We look forward to seeing you soon. Angelina Zucco Chief Executive Australian String Quartet
tory
Dale Barltrop plays a 1784 Guadagnini Violin, Turin Francesca Hiew plays a 1748-49 Guadagnini Violin, Piacenza Stephen King plays a 1783 Guadagnini Viola, Turin Sharon Draper plays a c.1743 Guadagnini Violoncello Piacenza, ‘Ngeringa’
Australian String Qua
instruments, handcrafted by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini between c.1743 and 1784 in Turin and Piacenza, Italy. These precious instruments are on loan for our exclusive use through the generosity of Ulrike Klein and Ngeringa Arts.
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For over 30 years, the Australian String Quartet (ASQ) has created unforgettable string quartet performances for national and international audiences. Dedicated to musical excellence with a distinctly Australian character, our purpose is to create chemistry and amplify intimacy through experiences that connect people with string quartet music. From our home base at the University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, we reach out across Australia and the world to engage people with an outstanding program of performances, workshops, commissions and education projects. Our distinct sound is enhanced by a matched set of 18th century Guadagnini
Our 2017 program is rich with new endeavours, including: our inaugural morning series at Ngeringa Cultural Centre; a year-long association with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; the world premiere of a new cello quintet by Australian composer, Gordon Kerry; the launch of our ASQ digital platform; and recording collaborations with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra through ABC Classics and a release with Slava Grigoryan. Among other highlights, 2017 welcomes performance collaborations with renowned Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey and Australian pianist Caroline Almonte for our flagship regional festivals in the Southern Grampians, Victoria and Western Australia’s Margaret River; international performances with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; the first stage of a cultural exchange project with the Adelaide Festival Centre in China; and the continuation of our new Close Quarters series which will be delivered in tandem with our National Season and regional touring programs.
Creating chemistry and amplifying intimacy.
Welcom The Australian String Quartet’s National Season 2017 offers a range of works that reflect a spirit of exploration and engagement. Naturally, a firm belief in the vitality of the string quartet’s heritage remains at the core of the ASQ concert experience. Throughout the series, we will be presenting masterpieces of the string quartet literature – Schubert, Dvořák, Bartók and Beethoven – alongside a compelling selection of more recent works. In our first concert we’re delighted to be joined by Australian guitarist, Slava Grigoryan. With Slava, we explore two vastly different guitar quintets that, each in their own way, add unique resonance and texture to the string quartet sound. Our second concert features the award-winning
String Quartet no 2 by Australian composer Paul Stanhope. This work explores the plight of the Jewish migrants to Australia around World War II, offering a dramatic contrast to Dvořák’s ebullient homecoming quartet. The final program of the season is a journey across centuries, highlighting the differences and richness of the genre’s repertoire from baroque elegance to intense romanticism. We can’t wait to bring this incredible music to life in Australia’s finest performance spaces. Furthermore, we invite you to be a part of the ASQ story – to share in the musical dialogue and evolution of four musicians on our travels together. Dale, Francesca, Stephen & Sharon
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We can’t wait to bring this incredible music to life in Australia’s finest performance spaces.
“...the ASQ is a force to be reckoned with.� The West Australian 15 March 2016
Season overview
No1
Migration 23 May – 5 June 2017 Ralph Towner Guitar Quintet Migration Iain Grandage Guitar Quintet Black Dogs Schubert String Quartet in G major D887 With guest artist Slava Grigoryan, guitar
No2
Homeward 2 – 15 August 2017 Britten String Quartet no 1 in D major op 25 Paul Stanhope String Quartet no 2 Dvořák String Quartet no 13 in G major op 106
No3
Beginnings 14 – 27 November 2017 Scarlatti Sonata a Quattro no 4 in D minor Bartók String Quartet no 1 Beethoven String Quartet in F major op 59 no 1
Migration Ralph Towner Guitar Quintet Migration Iain Grandage Guitar Quintet Black Dogs Schubert String Quartet in G major D887 With guest artist Slava Grigoryan, guitar
Slava Grigoryan, one of Australia’s favourite musicians, joins the ASQ in two works of contemporary sensibility, bringing his trademark virtuosity and lyrical warmth to the quartet. Ralph Towner is a celebrated jazz guitarist and his quintet, Migration, inspired by the wild nature of America’s Pacific Northwest, blends the melodic and harmonic language of jazz with a classical sense of development. Australian composer, Iain Grandage, also traverses classical, jazz and popular styles in his work. His theatrical flair comes to the fore in this guitar quintet, contemplating the mind’s mystery and complexity in music of kaleidoscopic colour. The poignant world of late Schubert forms the emotional apex of this concert. His final string quartet, in G major, is charged with the heartfelt emotion and eloquent lyricism that is the core of his genius.
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With guitarist Slava Grigoryan, the ASQ dissolves the boundaries of jazz and classical style. The concert is crowned by Schubert’s heartfelt and lyrical G major String Quartet.
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Perth Tue 23 May 7pm Canberra Sun 28 May 2pm Brisbane Mon 29 May 7pm Adelaide Tue 30 May 7pm Sydney Wed 31 May 7pm Melbourne Mon 5 June 7pm
Homeward Britten String Quartet no 1 in D major op 25 Paul Stanhope String Quartet no 2 Dvořák String Quartet no 13 in G major op 106
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A spirit of youthful exuberance and boundless confidence energises this concert. Rejuvenated by his time in America, Dvořák’s return to his native Bohemia was a joyful homecoming, inspiring a flood of musical ideas in his G major String Quartet. Arriving in America in his late twenties, Benjamin Britten enjoyed a sense of supreme confidence as a composer. In his String Quartet no 1, he sets out to impress in a work that abounds in joie de vivre and originality. In his second string quartet, Australian composer, Paul Stanhope, evokes the emotionally charged experience of the Jewish migrants who made Australia their home during World War II. The three works together compose a rich tapestry drawn from themes of exile and return, and inspirations from the old world and the new.
Brimming with optimism and self-confidence, the quartets of Dvořák, Britten and Paul Stanhope celebrate the adventure of new opportunity and the joy of homecoming.
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Perth Wed 2 August 7pm Canberra Sun 6 August 2pm Melbourne Tue 8 August 7pm Brisbane Sat 12 August 7pm Sydney Mon 14 August 7pm Adelaide Tue 15 August 7pm
“...the ASQ are masters of both the calm and the storm.� Limelight Magazine 1 July 2016
Beginnings Scarlatti Sonata a Quattro no 4 in D minor Bartók String Quartet no 1 Beethoven String Quartet in F major op 59 no 1
The ASQ travels across musical time in a program that encompasses baroque eloquence, classical grandeur and intense romanticism at the dawn of the 20th century. We begin with one of the earliest works for string quartet written by Italian master, Alessandro Scarlatti. Bartók, the undisputed giant of the 20th century string quartet, makes his first impression in the genre with this sumptuous first quartet. Though revelling in the musical world of late romanticism and the vivid colours of the impressionists, the vigour and rawness of this music is unmistakably Bartók. String quartets of the classical era are often described as musical conversations. Beethoven’s first Razumovsky quartet orates with passion, serious intent and grandeur of scale. Composed soon after the revolutionary Eroica Symphony, this quartet carries the same powerful sense of expressiveness and scope.
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Sydney Tue 14 November 7pm Adelaide Wed 15 November 7pm Perth Fri 17 November 7pm Melbourne Mon 20 November 7pm Canberra Sun 26 November 2pm Brisbane Mon 27 November 7pm
The ASQ travels across musical time to encompass historical eras: baroque eloquence, romantic intensity and classical grandeur, crowned by Beethoven’s revolutionary first Razumovsky Quartet.
“A jewel in the classical crown” The Advertiser 2 March 2016
Slava Grigoryan Regarded as a ‘wizard’ of the guitar with a talent for bewitching his audiences, Slava Grigoryan has forged a global reputation as a classical guitar virtuoso. Grigoryan was born in Kazakhstan and immigrated with his family to Australia in 1981. At seventeen he was signed to the Sony Classical label and his first tour – at just eighteen – was with guitar legends Paco Peña and Leo Kottke. Since then he has travelled the world as a soloist and with orchestras in Australia, Europe, Asia and North America, and performed at dozens of national and international arts, music and guitar festivals.
Creative collaborations have included his famed guitar duo with brother Leonard Grigoryan, as well as with string quartets, chamber ensembles, composers, Saffire – The Australian Guitar Quartet, guitar trio MGT with Wolfgang Muthspiel (Austria) and Ralph Towner (USA), Australian baritone José Carbó and the Tawadros Brothers. Slava has won ARIA awards for Best Classical Album and released over 20 solo and collaborative albums.
PHOTO SIMON SHIFF
Guest Artist
Venues & dates Adelaide Adelaide Town Hall 7pm Tue 30 May Tue 15 August Wed 15 November
Brisbane Conservatorium Theatre South Bank 7pm Mon 29 May Sat 12 August Mon 27 November Canberra Gandel Hall National Gallery of Australia 2pm Sun 28 May Sun 6 August Sun 26 November Melbourne Melbourne Recital Centre Southbank 7pm Mon 5 June Tue 8 August Mon 20 November Perth Government House Ballroom 7pm Tue 23 May Wed 2 August Fri 17 November Sydney City Recital Hall 7pm Wed 31 May Mon 14 August Tue 14 November
Get closer to the music Why subscribe?
Get closer to the music with an ASQ National Season subscription package and become a valued member of our extended family. ASQ subscribers enjoy a range of exclusive benefits across the National Season including great savings (over 10% off single tickets), priority seating, complimentary concert programs and bonus tickets.
Early bird subscription offer Subscribe to the ASQ National Season by 18 November 2016 and you will automatically enter the draw to be treated to a meal with Dale, Francesca, Stephen and Sharon, together with three of your friends. The prize will be drawn 1 December 2016. Visit asq.com.au for terms and conditions.
National Season 2017 Booking Form Step 1: Subscriptions Select your city and indicate in the boxes how many of each subscription you require. Add required service fee and any extra options and calculate the total.
Subscription
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Brisbane
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Standard (Std)
@ $207
@ $207
@ $192
@ $225
@ $225
@ $225
Concession (Conc)
@ $147
@ $147
@ $150
@ $162
@ $162
@ $162
@ $75
@ $75
@ $75
@ $75
@ $75
@ $75
1 @ $6.95 1 @ $12.00
N/A
N/A
1 @ $7.20
1 @ $8.00
Under 30 (U30) Plus Box Office Fee Subtotal
$
$
$
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Pensioners, Healthcare Cards (including Seniors Health Cards) and full-time students are eligible for concession. We regret that Seniors Cards are not eligible for a concession. Please include photocopied proof of your status.
Step 2: Gifts / Donations I wish to gift an Under 30 subscription to a student
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Subtotal
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Grand Total
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Step 3: Seating Preference Please indicate your seating preferences (ie aisle, centre, near stage), and please advise if you use a wheelchair, have hearing difficulties or have any other seating requirements.
*Canberra seating is general admission, however subscribers will be seated in a premium reserve area.
Step 4: Subscriber Bonus Tickets Each subscriber household is entitled to receive two bonus tickets to introduce a guest/s to the ASQ. You can request two tickets for one concert or one ticket for each of two concerts.
Concert
N°1 Migration
N°2 Homeward
N°3 Beginnings
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November
Number of tickets Bonus tickets will be sent at the same time as your subscription seats. Bonus seating is allocated separately to subscription seating. Please note you will not be located next to your bonus ticket guests.
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Reply Paid 60687, Australian String Quartet Bookings The University of Adelaide, SA 5005 EMAIL asq@asq.com.au FAX 08 8313 4389 PHONE Freecall 1800 040 444 to book using your credit card or for any queries.
Thank you for playing your part. As Australia’s string quartet, we aspire to resonate with the community by engaging people at the heart and nurturing opportunities to champion the sounds of Australia. With your support we can make connections with people of all ages – breaking down barriers, discovering new channels of communication, deepening our regional engagement and delivering compelling programs to challenge and inspire. As champions of Australian music, we strive to ensure that music remains a vital and evolving part of Australian culture by growing the profile of Australian music, investing in the next generation of Australian music makers, celebrating our Australian musicians and composers and fostering opportunities for international cultural exchange. Your support is the bridge to our success. Please donate today. For more information or to donate via telephone, please call 1800 040 444.
ASQ Fest Margaret River Weekend of Music Fri 21 – Sun 23 April 2017 Savour the best of the spectacular Western Australian wine region with a musical adventure at Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, McHenry Hohnen and Cullen Wines. With matched food and wine from four of the region’s finest wineries, this weekend of music is a feast for the senses. Dunkeld Festival of Music Fri 28 – Sun 30 April 2017 Sun 30 April – Tues 2 May 2017 Set in the magnificent surrounds of Dunkeld in Victoria’s Southern Grampians, enjoy wonderful hospitality provided by the iconic Royal Mail Hotel with intimate concerts presented in the Myers’ Gallery and the charming Mt Sturgeon Woolshed. For more information or to book today visit asq.com.au or call 1800 040 444.
PIETER WISPELWEY, CELLO NETHERLANDS
PHOTO SHANE REID LOCATION MT STURGEON, DUNKELD
tivals
CAROLINE ALMONTE, PIANO AUSTRALIA
Join the Australian String Quartet for two exquisite regional festivals in 2017 with guest artists, internationally renowned cellist Pieter Wispelwey and pianist Caroline Almonte. Set in intimate surrounds, savour a regional escape and relish musical highlights, including:
Schubert String Quartet in G major D887 Gordon Kerry String Quintet no 2 (world premiere) Dohnanyi Piano Quintet no 1 in C minor op 1 Schubert Cello Quintet in C major D956 Tanayev Cello Quintet in G major op 14
Single ticket prices
Available from 1 December 2016 Adelaide Std $79, Conc $56, U30 $30 (transaction fee applies) BASS 131 246, bass.net.au Brisbane Std $79, Conc $56, U30 $30 (transaction fee applies) QTIX 136 246, qtix.com.au Canberra Std $75, Conc $60, U30 $30 (transaction fee included) National Gallery of Australia (02) 6240 6701, nga.gov.au Melbourne Std $85, Conc $62, U30 $30 (transaction fee may apply) Melbourne Recital Centre Box Office (03) 9699 3333 melbournerecital.com.au
Perth Std $85, Conc $62, U30 $30 (transaction fee may apply) Ticketek 1300 795 012 ticketek.com.au Sydney Std $85, Conc $62, U30 $30 (additional fees may apply to comply with statutory requirements) City Recital Hall (02) 8256 2222 cityrecitalhall.com Student Rush $15 tickets are available one hour prior to concert start on presentation of a full-time student card.
Official Partners
Major Sponsor
Government Supporters
Major Patrons
Leader Sponsor
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Cellist Sponsors
Violist Sponsors
PHILIP BACON
MRS JOAN LYONS & MRS DIDY McLAURIN
CLITHEROE FOUNDATION
PETER & LYNDSEY HAWKINS
Instrument Partners
National Season Partners National Wine Sponsor
New South Wales & Victoria Tour Partner
Sydney Accommodation Sponsor
Queensland Co-presenting Partner
Canberra Co-presenting Partner
Luxury Menswear Partner
Other Partners
National Season 2017 photography by Jacqui Way. Printed by Print Solutions SA. Our thanks to the performance venues pictured in the brochure: Adelaide Town Hall, City Recital Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, National Gallery of Australia and Ngeringa Cultural Centre.
ASQ Board Alexandra Burt Nicholas Callinan AO (Chair) Janet Hayes Marisa Mandile Paul Murnane Maria Myers AC Susan Renouf Jeanette Sandford-Morgan OAM Ian Wallace Angelina Zucco – Chief Executive
Australian String Quartet
Quartet–in–Residence The University of Adelaide SA 5005 Australia T 1800 040 444 (Freecall) F +61 8 8313 4389 E asq@asq.com.au W asq.com.au AustralianStringQuartet @ASQuartet @australianstringquartet