Exquisite Classical Experiences 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre by Melbourne Recital Centre

Contents Welcome

Introducing our Experience Guide

Your Melbourne Recital Centre Experience

First Nations Focus & MobTix

Celebrating 15 Years

Tickets & Subscriptions

Andrew Blanch & Emily Granger

Paul Lewis

Brooklyn Rider

Genesis Baroque

Víkingur Ólafsson

Jakob Lindberg

JACK Quartet

Jane Austen’s Music

Yeol Eum Son

Satu Vänskä & Konstantin Shamray

Xavier de Maistre

Augustin Hadelich

Trio Gaspard

Nobuyuki Tsujii

Goldner String Quartet

Accessibility Information

2024 Artist-in-Residence

Music Circle

Key Presenting Partners

Seat Plaques

Our Supporters

More Music Experiences To Discover

Contact Details

At-a-Glance Calendar

Melbourne Recital Centre acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live, perform and learn. We pay our respects to the people of the Kulin nation, their Elders past and present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

From our CEO, Sandra Willis

From our Director of Programming, Marshall McGuire

Having visited Melbourne Recital Centre as an audience member and industry professional multiple times over the years, how exciting it is to now have the privilege of leading this wonderful venue, team and organisation into its 15th year of creating memorable live music experiences with and for our community.

15 years of music-making is something to reflect on with pride, especially in this most musical of cities.

As we approach 15 years, we look back to drive forward. We acknowledge and celebrate the Centre’s beginnings as a purpose-built venue for the performance of classical and chamber music. We take pride in being a home for Victoria’s community of artists and ensembles to showcase their virtuosity in spaces designed to make their artistry soar. Indeed, Melbourne Recital Centre has evolved significantly over this time – platforming classical to contemporary and everything in between. And while we have evolved, one thing remains certain: we love live music. To be able to experience a different kind of live music concert almost every day of the week is what makes Melbourne Recital Centre unparalleled as a live music venue. The look on visitors’ faces when they walk into Elisabeth Murdoch Hall or the Primrose Potter Salon for the first time and breathe in the architecture and acoustics is a moment I will never tire of witnessing. Classical and chamber music will always be part of the Centre’s DNA. And it is my great pleasure to share with you a year of exquisite classical experiences in 2024. Whether you are a seasoned classical concertgoer, or wondering if classical music might be something you enjoy but don’t know where to start, Melbourne Recital Centre is for you. If you’re returning to the Centre in 2024, I say a warm welcome back and enjoy. And if you’re considering your first visit to the Centre, we look forward to welcoming you. You are in for a treat.

Sandra Willis Chief Executive Officer

Over those years we’ve grown to be not only a home to Melbourne’s musicians, but a destination for the most exciting, stimulating, and passionate musicians from around Australia and the world. I often say that there are three key ingredients that make up a memorable concert experience: great artists, great audiences, and a great venue. And with that in mind, we cultivated our 2024 offering of exquisite classical music just for you, our dear audience. Since first opening our doors in 2009, the Primrose Potter Salon has been a powerhouse of activity from Melbourne’s best – and now we’re sharing the secret of Melbourne’s musical living room with incredible artists from around the country, and indeed, across the globe. Of course, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, deemed ‘the best hall in the world’ by the Brodsky Quartet, welcomes many acclaimed artists – some for their debut in this magic venue, and others returning to continue sharing their craft with us. Melbourne Recital Centre is a special place. A place filled with audiences and artists sharing their common love of music and in doing so, creating unforgettable memories. I’ve been fortunate enough to be in my role for almost a decade now and when people ask me what my favourite memory is I cannot tell them because, in all honesty, I don’t have one. I have hundreds, if not thousands. Every time an artist steps foot onto one of our stages, they create a moment in time that cannot be replicated. And that’s the power of live music. I look forward to welcoming you for our 15th birthday celebration in 2024; a celebration of music, a celebration of musicians, and of course, a celebration of making unforgettable memories.

Marshall McGuire Director of Programming

Introducing our Experience Guide

First Nations Focus

We have been listening to your feedback about how we can make concert information easier to read and interpret for our audiences. This year, we are piloting the Experience Guide. This guide is a short-hand summary that describes in one sentence what concertgoers may see, hear, think and feel at a concert and is designed to support people who synthesise blocks of information differently. This information has been crafted to reflect the artist, instrument, repertoire, emotional subtleties and relevant socio-cultural commentary for consideration. As you read on, you will see the following icons and descriptors accompanying the long-form text on event pages.

See

Hear

Think

We acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ rich history of storytelling, and the songlines that are the singing celebration of Country. Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to meaningfully lowering barriers to attendance for First Nations communities. As an organisation, we are continuing to learn and grow in ways that authentically improves and embeds First Nations culture in our planning, practices and performances.

Feel

Your Melbourne Recital Centre Experience In 2024, make the most of your experience with the following opportunities: • Engage in lively discussions with our post-concert talks • Enjoy an elevated concert experience

in the Primrose Potter Salon • Discover new music by local and international

composers to complement your classical concert-going experience • Immerse yourself in our Dynamic Double Set;

a musical matching of artists designed to enhance your concert-going experience

First Nations Peoples are the world’s foremost artists and storytellers.

Introducing Mobtix In 2024, an allocation of free and discounted tickets for First Nations communities will be available for all Melbourne Recital Centre Presents concerts and events. For more information on this initiative, visit melbournerecital.com.au/mobtix

CELEBRATING

Music is a universal language. It’s the heart and soul of what we do and has the power to unite, transform and transcend. Through harnessing its power and celebrating music in all its extraordinary forms, we create authentic and intimate live experiences that connect, inspire and create wonder for our dynamic and evolving community whom we serve. We’re for the music-lovers, the music-makers and the sound creators, the administrators and the operators, who work as one to create aural magic in our spaces and beyond. We champion local and attract global talent, attention, and acclaim. We strive for pride without arrogance, discovery without fear, inclusion without prejudice, innovation without stagnation, and connection without barriers. The future of live music is boundless. The future of Melbourne Recital Centre is bold and bright, as we aspire to be the preeminent venue for experiencing live music in Australia. We are lovers of live music. We are where live music lives.

Here’s to the next 15 years and beyond. With gratitude and appreciation, The Melbourne Recital Centre Team

Share your favourite Melbourne Recital Centre moment or memory with us at melbournerecital.com.au/ moments 5

Tickets & Package Subscriptions Your 2024 Package Benefits

Buy & Save with a Package Save on tickets, have the flexibility of a chooseyour-own concert package, and receive additional benefits throughout the year.

• 15 Concert Package-holders save up to 25% • Priority access to seats ahead of the general public • 15 Concert Package-holders receive

a reserved general admission seat for Primrose Potter Salon events included in their subscription • Priority access to other select Melbourne Recital

The 15 Concert Package

Centre events

Make 2024 your year for live music and attend all 15 events featured in this brochure to enjoy the greatest savings and additional benefits, including reserved seating for the general admission Primrose Potter Salon events featured on pages 8, 18, 26, 32 and 36.

• Access to our pay-in-instalments option, available

for 10+ and 15 Concert Packages Plus! Book your package by Wednesday 31 January 2024 and receive a complimentary Melbourne Recital Centre Music Lover Season Membership1 (valued at $50) to unlock further benefits and discounts which include: • 10% discount on select performances including

The Flexible 5+ and 10+ Concert Packages

additional single tickets for this 2024 Concert Season • Waived exchange fees if your plans change

and you exchange your tickets for another concert within the season2

Choose a flexible package to personalise your experience. •

Waived transaction fees on future bookings

• An invitation to complimentary tours of Melbourne

Recital Centre for you and up to three guests • Music Lover Season Membership benefits

are valid until 31/12/2024

Key Dates

2024 Concert Packages

Single Tickets

Second Instalment Payment

On sale Tuesday 24 October 2023

On sale Tuesday 21 November 2023

Wednesday 31 January 2024

Terms and Conditions 1. Complimentary Music Lover Season Membership offer is valid until Wednesday 31 January 2024. Limit of one membership per household. Your membership pack will be fulfilled separately to your season tickets. Membership is not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash. Current Music Lover members with memberships expiring during the 2024 calendar year will be eligible to have their membership extended until 31/12/2024. 2. Upgrade costs may apply. 3. Instalment payments available for 10+ and 15 Concert Package holders only.

How to Book 1. Choose your concert package

3. Book your concert package

Attend all 15 performances within the season and receive the greatest savings or create a flexible package by selecting 5+ or 10+ events. 2. Choose your performances

Purchase a 2024 Season Package by Tuesday 21 November 2023 to secure priority access to seating. If you book by Wednesday 31 January 2024, you will also receive a complimentary Music Lover Season Membership providing additional benefits throughout the year.

Attending all 15 events? You’re already almost done! We will contact you to confirm your seating and concert preference.

Online melbournerecital.com.au

If you have selected a 5+ or 10+ concert package, choose your concerts. In 2024, events in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall have reserved seating and events in the Primrose Potter Salon are general admission. Some events have two performances, so ensure you select which concert time you prefer to attend.

Post Complete the booking form and return with payment (no stamp required) to: Melbourne Recital Centre Packages Reply Paid 85302, Southbank VIC 3006 Phone Call our friendly Box Office team on 03 9699 3333. We are open Monday – Friday 11am until 5pm. 4. Your tickets Bookings are processed in date order of receipt. Once seats are confirmed and final payment received, tickets will be posted to you or available for collection from our Box Office at your first concert for the season.

Benefits Summary 15 Concert Package

10+ Concert Package

5+ Concert Package

25% off

20% off

15% off

A reserved seat for general admission Primrose Potter Salon events within your subscription

–

Pay-in-instalments option

–

Priority access to seats

Season Membership

Andrew Blanch & Emily Granger – Suite Mágica Bask in the fresh instrumental pairing of guitar and harp. Armed with formidable talent, passion, and conviction, guitarist Andrew Blanch has carved out his own path with a musical vision that equally values both the tradition and the inherent potential of this continuingly evolving artform. American-Australian harpist Emily Granger effortlessly straddles the worlds of classical and popular music. With past performances including glittering appearances with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singersongwriter Sarah Blasko and soprano Renée Fleming, Emily’s considerable talent finds her equally at home in intimate chamber recitals and thrilling performances of daring new works. Their performance in the Primrose Potter Salon pairs the extraordinary combination of guitar and harp with a selection of works that display the energy, versatility and beauty of these much-loved instruments – delivered by two of Australia’s most captivating performers. Rarely seen together, this instrumental pairing is at once both fresh and familiar. Side by side on stage, the instruments face each other like an enchanted reflection – with striking visual and aural similarities. In this way, the sound world created by these two plucked string instruments is not dissimilar to that of a guitar duo – the harp, with its 47 resonant strings and a collection of extended techniques, providing an expanded range of expressive possibilities to the more common two-guitar pairing.

Andrew Blanch & Emily Granger – Suite Mágica Friday 2 February 2024, 7pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Marco Pereira Fantasia Concertante Elena Kats-Chernin Fleeting Encounter Enrique Granados Danzas Españolas VI. Rondella Aragonesa – Joga Sally Whitwell Tiny Dances Maurice Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a dead Princess) Tristan Coelho Forest Stories Máximo Diego Pujol Suite Mágica TICKETS Standard $50 Concession $40 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

Join Andrew and Emily as they share some of the finest music from their explorations, including exciting new commissions by Australia’s leading composers, arrangements of popular favourites, and more.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See two masters of guitar and harp join forces. Hear a rare instrumental pairing utilising the intimate acoustics of the Primrose Potter Salon. Think about the importance of celebrating the unexpected. Feel your shoulders relax and a sense of calm wash over you.

Paul Lewis Explore the enigmatic genius of Schubert with Paul Lewis. Illustrious English pianist Paul Lewis returns to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall stage and transports audiences to the timeless world of Franz Schubert. Returning to complete his exploration of the composer’s great sonatas – this time focusing on the final three. These compositions weren’t always viewed as masterpieces, instead they laid dormant for a decade following Schubert’s death. It wasn’t until the centenary of his passing, well into the 20th century, that public opinion on the breadth and dramatic expansiveness of Schubert’s final three piano works began to change. Now, well into the 21st century, Paul Lewis’s return to Melbourne follows two critically acclaimed performances in 2023 where he left audiences ‘in no doubt that he is probably the most virtuosic interpreter of Schubert today’ (Classic Melbourne). Commencing the evening of soul-stirring music with Schubert’s Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, Lewis’s artistry unveils the complex emotions and dramatic contrasts inherent in Schubert’s work. The composer’s genius continues to come to life as Lewis unravels the intricate melodies that define Schubert’s Piano Sonata No.20 in A; a captivating reminder of Schubert’s timeless allure.

Paul Lewis Tuesday 6 February 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Franz Schubert Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D958 Franz Schubert Piano Sonata No.20 in A, D959 Franz Schubert Piano Sonata No.21 in B-flat, D960 TICKETS Premium $115 A Reserve $102 (Concession $87) B Reserve $87 (Concession $67) C Reserve $67 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

And finally, Piano Sonata No.21 in B-flat, the pinnacle of Schubert’s piano compositions. This intricate work unfolds like a musical odyssey, and under Paul Lewis’s expertise, becomes a transcendent experience.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s greatest pianists performing solo. Hear soaring, emotional and uplifting works by one of the most profound composers of the Romantic era. Think about how timeless the art of Schubert’s sonatas are and the ease with which Paul Lewis interprets them. Feel inspired, contemplative and enlivened by this experience.

Brooklyn Rider – The Four Elements

New Music Discovery

Experience one of New York’s most celebrated contemporary string quartets creating music for change. With a gripping performance style and an unquenchable appetite for musical adventure, Brooklyn Rider make their Australian debut as part of Melbourne Recital Centre’s 15th birthday celebration. With multiple GRAMMY®-nominations and international acclaim, this multitalented quartet is celebrated for creating music that spans the musical spectrum. Having cemented themselves as unafraid musical explorers over their almost-20 years together, the string quartet have been described as ‘four classical musicians performing with the energy of young rock stars jamming on their guitars’ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). For their introduction to Melbourne, Brooklyn Rider present The Four Elements, a program anchored by works symbolising earth, air, water and fire as a musical metaphor for both the inner workings of a quartet and the inter-related effects of climate change on our planet. This project, developed by the ensemble in 2022, uses compositions from within the last century of accelerated and unprecedented planetary change and presents them alongside commissions that reflect current realities and serve as a musical call to action. EXPERIENCE GUIDE See a string quartet famous for being unafraid of pushing boundaries. Hear stirring compositions with substantial meaning. Think about the importance of music in creating change. Feel inspired to take action.

Brooklyn Rider – The Four Elements Tuesday 27 February 2024, 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Colin Jacobsen A Short While to be Here Akshaya Tucker Hollow Flame Andreia Pinto Correia Aere senza stelle Henri Dutilleux String Quartet Ainsi la nuit (Thus The Night) Dmitri Shostakovich String Quartet No.8 in C minor, Op.110 Osvaldo Golijov Tenebrae TICKETS Standard $55 Concession $45 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

Genesis Baroque – Holding Court with J.S. Bach Genesis Baroque make its Melbourne Recital Centre debut with an exploration of J.S. Bach’s humanity and charisma. Described as a ‘unique and polished – and importantly, welcome – voice in the Melbourne music scene’ (Cut Common), Genesis Baroque first stepped onto the stage in 2017. The ensemble has since cemented itself a master of the vibrant repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries. As Melbourne’s dynamic period ensemble, Genesis Baroque’s debut at Melbourne Recital Centre sees the ensemble travel to an era of opulence and explore works from J.S. Bach’s later years. With its intimate acoustics, the rich tapestries of Bach’s Orchestral Suite No.2 come to life in the Primrose Potter Salon – a perfect venue to mimic the Courts and cafes Bach’s compositions were originally crafted for. Described as producing ‘a rich, sonorous sound’ (Sydney Morning Herald), Genesis Baroque showcases its precision and passion during Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.5. This three-movement musical triumph featuring harpsichord, violin, and flute is one that can only be fully appreciated in a live concert setting.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of Melbourne’s newest chamber ensembles in its Melbourne Recital Centre debut. Hear the melodic brilliance of these masterpieces of the Baroque era. Think about Bach’s everlasting contribution to music. Feel transported to a realm of musical enchantment.

Genesis Baroque – Holding Court with J.S. Bach Thursday 14 March 2024, 6pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Johann Sebastian Bach Orchestral Suite No.2, BWV 1067 Johann Sebastian Bach Organ Sonata No.1 in in E-flat, BWV 525 Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No.5, BWV 1050 TICKETS Standard $50 Concession $40 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

Víkingur Ólafsson 16

+ Consortium One of the world’s most exciting and must-see pianists of the moment. Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is internationally lauded as ‘a pianist of rare technical brilliance and interpretive depth’ (The New York Times). He epitomises both virtuoso and storyteller with a magnetism that enraptures audiences across the world.

Víkingur Ólafsson + Consortium Monday 25 March 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM This is a Dynamic Double Set experience: a musical matching of artists designed to enhance your concert experience.

Receiving a five-star review for his recent concert at Royal Festival Hall London playing the Goldberg Variations, Ólafsson ‘was a hypnotic presence at the keyboard, a rangy giant whose head bent so low at times his nose nearly brushed the keys. His poetic body language wasn’t just engaging to watch, it carved up time, placing each variation within a dramatic framework’ (The Guardian UK).

Set 1: Consortium, viol consort

Under Ólafsson’s distinctive musicality and interpretations, the piano becomes a portal, where each keystroke weaves intricate musical narratives that meld classical tradition with contemporary innovation and exploration. Whether he is playing Bach, Debussy or Philip Glass, Ólafsson enters an insightful state of immersion, connecting deeply with every note, emotion, and nuance in a must-see visceral concert experience.

John Dowland Mr Thomas Collier his Galliard

From the ethereal landscapes of Iceland to the grandeur of Carnegie Hall, Ólafsson’s intrepid artistry transcends borders and genres. He takes the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall stage as part of his highly anticipated world tour, marking the release of his latest recording, Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The Goldberg Variations hold a profound place in classical music history, revered for its unparalleled complexity and elegance. Composed in the early 18th century, this masterpiece weaves a tapestry of intricate variations around a simple aria, showcasing Bach’s incomparable craftsmanship. The technical brilliance and emotional depth of the work affirm its timelessness, and under the hands of Víkingur Ólafsson, is certain to transport both seasoned classical connoisseurs and newcomers alike. Prepare to experience ‘a hypnotic reading that added up to considerably more than the sum of the work’s 32 parts’ (The Guardian UK).

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the most exciting and acclaimed pianists of the moment.

Comprising Australia’s finest viol players, Consortium paves a stirring pathway into Víkingur Ólafsson’s immersive interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. John Dowland Mr John Langton’s Pavan

Thomas Weelkes Pavan from Mr Weelkes his 3 Pavin William Lawes Consort Set a 5 in G minor Fantazya a 5 Christopher Tye In nomine, ‘Round’ William Byrd Prelude and Ground, ‘The Queen’s Goodnight’ Set 2: Víkingur Ólafsson, piano Johann Sebastian Bach Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 TICKETS Premium $129 A Reserve $119 (Concession $102) B Reserve $102 (Concession $87) C Reserve $77 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

Hear the iconic Goldberg Variations by one of the greatest composers of the classical era. Think about the important role artists of today play in sustaining classical music’s evolution and significance. Feel riveted, emotionally energised, on the pulse.

Jakob Lindberg – The Lute in Europe c. 1600 Venture through the royal courts of 17th century Europe. Celebrated for his profound musicality, Swedish lute master Jakob Lindberg returns to Melbourne Recital Centre for an intimate performance showcasing the lute’s regal splendour. While his expertise may be the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Lindberg’s original musical inspiration was The Beatles, which led him to classical guitar before eventually transitioning instruments to become the John Lennon of the lute that travels the world today. In this one-night-only exploration of the lute at the dawn of 17th century Europe, Lindberg presents music from across Italy, France, England and Scotland. The influence of royalty on the lutenists featured in this program is evident in their compositions, which date from a time when royal courts would have lute players compete for their employment. John Dowland and Daniel Bacheler’s careers were spent mostly in Denmark and England, and their works are the epitome of the melancholy and introspective English lute style. While Robert Ballard’s lively compositions were meant for social gatherings and reflect the exuberant spirit of working for Louis XIII of France. These works, combined with Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger’s experimental style, Simone Molinario’s expressive themes, the haunting folk melodies of Scotland, and the rich timbres of the Primrose Potter Salon make for an apt exploration of a fascinating time in European history.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See a master of the lute exploring music of the 1600s. Hear quintessential lute music of this era. Think about the long-lasting impact of this instrument. Feel yourself drift into a different world.

Jakob Lindberg – The Lute In Europe c. 1600 Friday 5 April 2024, 7pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Robert Ballard Entrée de luth Robert Ballard Branles de village Simone Molinaro Fantasia XI Simone Molinaro Ballo detto il Conte Orlando Simone Molinaro Fantasia I Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger Toccata Arpeggiata Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger Courante Daniel Bacheler Prelude Daniel Bacheler La jeune fillette Daniel Bacheler Courante Anonymous Five Scottish Tunes John Dowland Prelude John Dowland Pavan John Dowland Galliard John Dowland Fantasia TICKETS Standard $69 Concession $55 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

JACK Quartet – String Creatures

New Music Discovery

Experience the Australian premiere of a new Liza Lim work, performed by one of the planet’s top quartets. Champions of 20th and 21st century string quartet music, JACK Quartet has been described by its home-city publication as being the ‘expert in the most ferociously difficult modern scores’ (The New Yorker), and for good reason. Since first joining forces almost 20 years ago, JACK Quartet’s reputation for being one of the most respected experimental string quartets has continued to build. Known as contemporary music celebrities, JACK Quartet explored their untapped skills as magicians and escape artists during workshops with Liza Lim for String Creatures. Co-commissioned by Melbourne Recital Centre, the struggling echoes of being trapped felt in the first movement were directly inspired by John Richards – the Quartet’s violist – attempting to free his hands after being tied to the neck of his instrument during an early workshop. The fascination with string and rope continued throughout the creative process for one of Australia’s most successful contemporary composer: ‘There’s something magical about string ... A string retains every twist and turn that it encounters’ (Liza Lim). Ruth Crawford Seeger’s time capsule String Quartet 1931 precedes the Australian premiere of String Creatures. Written in Germany but often described as an active dismissal of the latest in European musical trends, String Quartet 1931 cemented her among the most daring and accomplished American avantgarde composers. Similarly, Elliott Carter was determined to shatter the status quo when he wrote his inaugural String Quartet, proclaiming that he wanted to break free from his ‘professional and social responsibility to write interesting, direct, easily understood music.’ A desire that can be felt and heard throughout, even in the moments of heart and soul hidden deep within the notes.

JACK Quartet – String Creatures Wednesday 10 April 2024, 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Ruth Crawford Seeger String Quartet 1931 Elliott Carter String Quartet No.1 Liza Lim String Creatures (Australian Premiere) TICKETS Standard $55 Concession $45 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s great contemporary string quartets. Hear the Australian premiere of a new work by one of Australia’s most globally celebrated composers. Think about the profound impact these three composers have had on contemporary compositions. Feel moments of angst with a soft-landing of sweeping melodies.

Liza Lim’s String Creatures is co-commissioned by the Lucerne Festival, Miller Theatre at Columbia University and Melbourne Recital Centre.

Jane Austen’s Music Calling all Jane Austen aficionados and classical music‑lovers, travel back in time to rural England in the 18th and 19th centuries and relive the romance, drama and music of the era. It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is a literary luminary. Austen’s razor-sharp social commentary, astute character studies and sparkling dialogue resonate across generations. There is no charm equal to the world that Jane Austen has created through her words, where timeless tales of love and society’s intricacies collide with melodies that transcend centuries. Austen’s words have left an indelible mark on literature, and her influence extends beyond the pages of her books, shaping films, television adaptations, art and of course, music. Just as Caroline Bingley exclaims in Pride and Prejudice ‘there is no enjoyment like reading!’, here at Melbourne Recital Centre we feel the same about music. That is why we have curated a glittering selection of music from some of the greatest films of Jane Austen’s works, music from the Austen era, and music she refers to and reflects on in her writings. Dress as your favourite Jane Austen character and immerse yourself in gorgeous music from Jane Austen’s world including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, plus delightful works by Mozart, Beethoven and Purcell. And as Anne remarks to Mr. Elliot in Persuasion, Austen’s sixth and last completed novel, ‘my idea of good company … is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation…’ be sure to join us after the concert for a talk delving into the music, writing and times of the iconic Austen era. Whether you prefer to converse or listen, all are welcome.

Jane Austen’s Music Saturday 4 May 2024, 3pm & 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

ARTISTS Rachael Beesley music director Aura Go piano Lizzy Bennet’s Band TICKETS Premium $79 A Reserve $65 B Reserve $50 C Reserve $35 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See the Centre hold court for Austen-aficionados and classical music-lovers alike. Hear glittering music from the Austen era. Think about the global popularity of recent film and televison set in the 18th and 19th centuries (Bridgerton, anyone?) and why the masses love it. Feel like you are immersed in the musical scenes described in Austen’s novels.

Yeol

Son Eum

Poetic elegance, expressive nuance, and bold dramatic contrasts. Following an explosive Melbourne Recital Centre debut in 2022, South Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son’s virtuosic artistry and brilliance was immediately slated for a nearimmediate return. Boldly exploring the 19th century masterpieces of Bizet, Czerny, and Beethoven, Yeol Eum’s profound musicality has earned her acclaim, with critics lauding her ‘breathtaking dexterity and finger control’ (Pianist Magazine) and ‘light, fine-pointed energy and agile precision’ (Sydney Morning Herald). Having made a striking debut with renowned orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, NDR Radiophilharmonie, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Yeol Eum’s pianism is an arresting blend of poetic elegance, expressive nuance, and fierce dramatic contrasts. With technical prowess and quiet intensity, she explores a diverse repertoire with emotional acuity, seeking to unveil what Yeol Eum describes as ‘the pure essence’ of each composition. Never one to shy away from pushing artistic boundaries, Yeol Eum’s curation defies convention. In her only Australian recital, her fearless approach is evident as she takes audiences on an exhilarating journey through Beethoven’s monumental Piano Sonata No.29 in B-flat ‘Hammerklavier’, Op.106. Rarely performed, it stands as one of the pinnacle piano sonatas of all time and is regarded as one of the most demanding solo works in the classical piano repertoire. EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s greatest pianists performing must-experience repertoire. Hear bold interpretations of 19th-century masterpieces by Bizet, Czerny, and Beethoven. Think about the immense significance of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.29 and its impact on the classical piano repertoire. eel inspired, moved, and enlivened by Yeol Eum Son’s F depth of interpretation.

Yeol Eum Son Tuesday 4 June 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Georges Bizet Variations chromatiques de concert (Chromatic Variations) Carl Czerny Variations on a Theme by Rode, Op.33 Franz Liszt Transcendental Études, S.139 IX. Ricordanza (Andantino) Charles-Valentin Alkan Variations on a Theme of Steibelt, Op.1 Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata No.29 in B-flat ‘Hammerklavier’, Op.106 TICKETS Premium $115 A Reserve $102 (Concession $87) B Reserve $87 (Concession $67) C Reserve $67 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

Satu Vänskä & Konstantin Shamray Explore the magic of Nordic mastery with two of Australia’s most in-demand musicians. In this evening of mesmerising melodies, Principal Violin of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Satu Vänskä and modern piano maestro Konstantin Shamray unite for an exploration of the enchanting landscapes of Finland and beyond. Having graced some of the top stages in the world including Sydney Opera House and the Barbican, Satu – the Japanese-born, Finnish violin luminary – shares a more intimate side of her highly celebrated music-making in this unique Primrose Potter Salon concert experience. Meanwhile, Konstantin, renowned for his expertise in delivering captivating performances brimming with ‘fierce virtuosity and intense expressivity’ (Sydney Morning Herald) has cemented himself as one of Australia’s top pianists since taking out first place at the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition. Often considered the successor to Jean Sibelius, this performance commences with Aulis Sallinen’s haunting Cadenza for Solo Violin before embarking into the mind of Sibelius himself with excerpts from piano and violin works from the latter half of the composer’s life. Finally, a short trip across the Baltic Sea and the evening concludes in Germany with Beethoven’s Sonata No.8 in G for Piano and Violin. With sheer power and grace, this performance by two of Australia’s great musicians is an inspiring collaboration at its finest.

Satu Vänskä & Konstantin Shamray Friday 28 June 2024, 6pm & 8pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Aulis Sallinen Cadenza for Solo Violin Jean Sibelius Auf der Heide (On the Heath) Jean Sibelius 5 Danses champêtres No.3 Tempo moderato Jean Sibelius 5 Pieces for Violin and Piano No.1 Mazurka Jean Sibelius 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op.79 No.3 Danse caractéristique No.5 Tanz-Idylle Trad. Tuoll on Mun Kultani (There is my Sweetheart) Jean Sibelius 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano Op.79 No.6 Berceuse Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata No.8 in G for Piano and Violin, Op.30 No.3 TICKETS Standard $69 Concession $55 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See two of Australia’s most in-demand musicians up close and personal. Hear mesmerising masterpieces from the enchanting landscapes of Finland and beyond. Think about the beauty of the Primrose Potter Salon in creating intimate musical experiences. Feel transported to another time and place.

Xavier de Maistre

+ Affinity Quartet

‘Xavier de Maistre is a virtuoso of the highest order’ – Gramophone One of today’s leading harpists, Xavier de Maistre is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to classical music. With a fierce dedication to his instrument, critics have lauded Xavier de Maistre as ‘a virtuoso of the highest order, profoundly musical and capable of realising a remarkable range of nuance’ (Gramophone). Born in Toulon, Xavier studied the harp with Vassilia Briano at his local conservatoire, before perfecting his technique to then become the first French musician to be admitted at the Wiener Philharmoniker. Collaborating with revered conductors like Sir André Previn and Sir Simon Rattle, he has graced prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Having released a series of acclaimed albums, including Nuit d’Etoiles dedicated to Debussy, Xavier’s innovative approach makes him a true luminary in the field. In an exclusive Australian recital, witness Xavier challenge traditional harp music through daring commissions and reimagined instrumental classics. From the rippling arpeggios and intricate harmonies of Debussy’s beloved ‘Two Arabesques, L.66’, to Henriette Renié’s enchanting Romantic masterpiece Legende d’après les Elfes, don’t miss this awe-inspiring performance marking the first time a harp has been featured as a solo instrument in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall.

Xavier de Maistre + Affinity Quartet Monday 8 July 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM This is a Dynamic Double Set experience: a musical matching of artists designed to enhance your concert experience. Set 1: Affinity Quartet Following their 2023 Grand Prize win at the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, Affinity Quartet return to perform one of Haydn’s revolutionary masterpieces. Joseph Haydn String Quartet No.62 in C ‘Emperor’, Op.76 No.3, Hob.III/77 Set 2: Xavier de Maistre, harp Giovanni Battista Pescetti Sonata in C minor Francisco Tárrega Recuerdos de l’Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) Manuel de Falla Spanish Dance, from La Vida Breve Franz Liszt Le Rossignol, S.250/1 Bedřich Smetana Moldau, from Má vlast Gabriel Fauré Impromptu in D-flat, Op.86 Claude Debussy Two Arabesques, L.66 No.1: Andantino con molto Claude Debussy Clair de Lune from Suite Bergamasque, L.75 No.3 Henriette Renié Legende d’après les Elfes (Legend of the Elves) TICKETS

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s leading harpists performing solo for the first time in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. Hear romantic, emotional, and deeply moving masterpieces. Think about how Xavier de Maistre challenges your understanding of traditional harp music. Feel inspired, contemplative and enlivened by this experience.

Premium $115 A Reserve $102 (Concession $87) B Reserve $87 (Concession $67) C Reserve $67 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

Augustin Hadelich Witness ‘one of the most exciting violinists in the world’ (Süddeutsche Zeitung) in an exclusive Australian recital. Experience an extraordinary evening with acclaimed German‑American virtuoso and GRAMMY® Award winner, Augustin Hadelich, as he graces the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall stage. Revered for his aweinspiring technique, profound interpretations, and ethereal resonance, Hadelich’s performance transcends the ordinary; as noted by The Washington Post, ‘The essence of Hadelich’s playing is beauty.’ With a repertoire that spans collaborations with preeminent American orchestras and global luminaries such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Concertgebouworkest, and NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Hadelich’s artistry knows no bounds. In his only Australian recital, witness Hadelich up close and personal as he takes listeners on a remarkable journey through luminous masterpieces, performing Bach’s Partita No.3 in E and American composer David Lang’s contemplative Mystery Sonatas. A historic moment unfolds as the resonant works of African-American composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s Blue/s Forms come to life for the very first time. Originally a tribute to Sanford Allen, the first African-American violinist to play in the New York Philharmonic, this composition evokes jazz-infused melodies from its first note, marking a groundbreaking debut for Melbourne Recital Centre’s 15th birthday celebration.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s greatest violinists performing solo. Hear Augustin’s brilliance through introspective and groundbreaking works. Think about the historical significance and artistry of this recital. Feel uplifted, awe-inspired, contemplative, and energised.

Augustin Hadelich Tuesday 13 August 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Johann Sebastian Bach Violin Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006 Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson Blue/s Forms David Lang Mystery Sonatas III. Before Sorrow Eugène Ysaÿe Sonata for Solo Violin No.3 ‘Ballade’, Op.27 Johann Sebastian Bach Violin Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004 TICKETS Premium $129 A Reserve $119 (Concession $102) B Reserve $102 (Concession $87) C Reserve $77 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

‘The essence of Hadelich’s playing is beauty: reveling in the myriad ways of making a phrase come alive on the violin, delivering the musical message with no technical impediments whatsoever, and thereby revealing something from a planet beyond ours.’ Washington Post

Trio Gaspard A dynamic and fresh approach to the score. Step into a world of transcendent musicality with Trio Gaspard, one of the most sought-after piano trios of their generation. Hailing from Germany, Greece, and the UK, Trio Gaspard is renowned for its dynamic and fresh approach to the score. Captivating audiences across revered international stages such as Wigmore Hall, Berlin Philharmonie and Salle Molière Lyon, witness what critics have described as ‘richly coloured, honest, and full of joy’ (Ensemble Magazine). Commencing with Haydn’s Piano Trio No.44 in E, immerse yourself in the lively and spirited composition that embodies the classical elegance and exuberance for which Haydn is celebrated. A cornerstone of the Romantic piano trio repertoire, experience the beautifully poignant and intimately expressive work of Schumann’s Piano Trio No.2 in F, Op.80. In the intimate setting of the Primrose Potter Salon, don’t miss Trio Gaspard’s unparalleled artistry as they breathe new life into these masterpieces.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See one of the world’s most sought-after piano trios up close and personal. Hear soaring, emotional and deeply expressive works. Think about the future of classical music through Trio Gaspard’s dynamic program. Feel joy and invigorated by this experience.

Trio Gaspard Tuesday 20 August 2024, 6pm & 8pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Joseph Haydn Piano Trio No.44 in E, Hob.VX:28 Sándor Veress Tre quadri Robert Schumann Piano Trio No.2 in F, Op.80 TICKETS Standard $69 Concession $55 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

‘A truly refreshing performance! Richly coloured, honest, full of joy and with good agogics! This trio belongs to another league!’ Ensemble Magazine

Nobuyuki ‘A combination of phenomenal technique and commitment.’ BACHTRACK

Tsujii An extraordinary artist whose talent transcends the senses and stirs the heart and soul. Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii (Nobu) is the ‘definition of virtuosity’ (The Observer). Blind from birth, Nobu has transformed a story of darkness into a story of determination and inspiration. He is internationally celebrated as a shining light who exemplifies time and time again that music is not only a universal language, but a multi-sensory experience that possesses the power to enliven hearts, minds, and souls. Since winning the joint Gold Medal at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009, Nobu’s career has soared. This year’s performance season commenced with a sold-out appearance at Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms and includes a welcome return to the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and the Tsinandali Festival. In B:Music’s recent audio-described short documentary film, Nobu’s story is brought to life through interviews, videos from the family archive, rehearsal and concert footage. The film offers heartfelt insight into how Nobu learns music, his perception of performance venues and how he feels when he’s performing. ‘If you truly want to achieve something, you can achieve it despite having disabilities, I believe that from the bottom of my heart’ shares Nobu’s mother, Itsuko. For his Melbourne debut, Nobu crafts a special kind of magic through the piano keys, enriched by his innate sense and interpretation of grand piano music from the Romantic era. Featuring works by Bach, Liszt, Ravel and more, this is a program reflective of a musical era that gave rise to works of emotional intensity and passions of the human experience, told through lush harmonies, evocative melodies and dramatic compositions.

Nobuyuki Tsujii Wednesday 30 October 2024, 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

PROGRAM Johann Sebastian Bach French Suite No.5 in G major, BWV 816 Franz Liszt Consolations, S.172 I. Un poco più mosso Franz Liszt Concert Paraphrase on Verdi’s Rigoletto, S.434 Franz Liszt Mephisto Waltz No.1 ‘Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke’ Maurice Ravel Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn, M.58 Maurice Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a dead Princess), M.19 Maurice Ravel Jeux d’eau, M.30 Nikolai Kapustin Eight Concert Etudes, Op.40 TICKETS Premium $115 A Reserve $102 (Concession $87) B Reserve $87 (Concession $67) C Reserve $67 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe. Includes a post-concert talk!

Feel the magic, hear the brilliance and witness the mastery of Nobuyuki Tsujii in recital – a poignant reminder of the universal power of music and the human spirit.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See a truly inspiring performance. Hear the unique way Nobuyuki Tsujii interprets grand piano music from the Romantic era. Think about the transformative way music transcends boundaries, senses and abilities. Feel inspired, astonished, and touched.

Goldner String Quartet

‘A thrilling sense of dialogue … between four very close companions, who can evoke a whole mood, an entire argument with a gesture.’ Sydney Morning Herald

Goldner String Quartet Thursday 31 October 2024, 3pm and 7pm Primrose Potter Salon

PROGRAM Carl Vine String Quartet No. 3 Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet No.15 in A minor, Op.132 ‘Heiliger Dankgesang’ III. Molto adagio Pēteris Vasks String Quartet No.6 (Australian Premiere) TICKETS Standard $69 Concession $55 PACKAGES Buy & Save with a Package The more you buy, the more you save. Flexible concert packages are available from $208.25. View page 6 for more details and to subscribe.

30 years of outstanding music-making concludes with a fitting finale and farewell. In what is both beautiful and bittersweet for the chamber music community of music-lovers and music-makers alike, the Goldner String Quartet gives its last ever Melbourne performance. Over 30 years, Goldner String Quartet (affectionately known as The Goldners), has garnered widespread recognition not only as Australia’s pre-eminent string quartet, but as a chamber ensemble of international significance and scale. The Goldners have toured throughout Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States of America, and the Asia Pacific – applauded for their impeccable artistry and chemistry that transforms every performance into a mesmerising masterclass in chamber music. The Goldners have honed their golden sound over many years to achieve an intimate and innate understanding of each of the longstanding founding members’ musical ideas and sensibilities. They’re not just collaborators, they’re companions. For their final Melbourne performance and farewell, The Goldners have hand-picked a program that holds great meaning and significance for the ensemble. Carl Vine’s exquisite String Quartet No.3 is a fitting celebration for the composer’s 70th birthday year, and whose works have featured memorably in The Goldners’ repertoire over many years. The Goldners have chosen one of their favourite movements from Beethoven’s String Quartet No.15, Op.132, Heilige Dankgesang. This is a piece the quartet describes as a musical conduit for ‘how we can all relate to times in our lives when we have struggled to overcome illness and adversity. The extended movement is the consummate musical expression of this human condition.’ And to conclude Goldner String Quartet’s final performance, they gift Melbourne audiences with the Australian premiere of Pēteris Vasks’ recently composed String Quartet No.6. A profound, autumnal work that captures the feelings of a composer looking back over a long and fruitful life and drawing on much of the choral tradition of his native Latvia.

EXPERIENCE GUIDE See the Goldner String Quartet’s last ever Melbourne performance. Hear sentimental favourites hand-picked by The Goldners. Think about the string quartet’s lasting impact and legacy on the performance of chamber music. Feel moved, grateful, and celebratory.

Accessibility Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to ensuring a positive and accessible experience for all visitors.

Accessible seating in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

Lifts & Escalators

Melbourne Recital Centre has identified locations within the auditorium where patrons do not need to use stairs to reach their seats. These seats are located in row U of the Stalls, row A of the Circle, and seats 11 - 15 of both upper wings.

Lift access is available to all foyer levels of the building and all backstage areas (except the Orchestra Pit). Escalator access is also available between Ground Level and Level 1 foyer.

Accessible seating in Primrose Potter Salon

Accessible Parking

There are no steps in the Primrose Potter Salon and all events are general admission.

Accessible car spaces are available throughout Southbank, including at the Arts Centre Melbourne car park, on Sturt Street outside the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, and on Dodds Street opposite the Malthouse.

Seats on an aisle generally have an armrest attached and wheelchair spaces are available. As the configuration of this space is flexible, please advise the Box Office of any access requirements when booking. Companion Cards The Centre accepts the Companion Card for all visitors with a disability who require a companion at all Melbourne Recital Centre events. Hearing Loop Patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing may access our hearing loops in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and Primrose Potter Salon. Please switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position to access this service, or request a receiver and headphones from the Front of House team. In Elisabeth Murdoch Hall the hearing loop is available in Stalls only. The hearing loop is available throughout the Primrose Potter Salon.

Additional Information Information on signage, accessible toilets, and assistance animals, as well as access resources including a Welcome to the Centre Guide, Social Script, Communication and Picture Boards, and Large Print Venue Map are available at melbournerecital.com.au/access or by contacting our Box Office.

Meet Our 2024 Artist-in-Residence Nat Bartsch

Nat Bartsch is a double ARIA-nominated pianist and composer based in Melbourne. Her meditative, lyrical music defies the conventions of genre, deftly traversing a spectrum between jazz, neoclassical, classical and children’s genres. Her music is played by people from all walks of life, often in profoundly personal moments: from the birthing suite to the final hours before death. Nat has released eight albums of original music, and toured domestically and internationally. After releasing several albums for ABC Classic and ABC Jazz, Nat has recently established her own record label, Amica Records. She is most well-known for her lullabies, first released as the neoclassical piano album Forever, and No Time At All in 2018. A jazz-reinterpretation of this music, Forever More, was ARIA-nominated for Best Jazz Album and cemented Nat’s reputation for moving between genres. In 2021, Nat responded to the Black Summer bushfires and the long pandemic lockdowns by recording her ARIAnominated classical album Hope for piano, string quartet and electronics. Repeating the companion-album process, she released the jazz/post-rock reinterpretation Hope Renewed in 2023, again to critical acclaim.

Nat has composed/collaborated with many leading Australian artists and organisations including Grigoryan Brothers, Luke Howard, Back to Back Theatre, Circus Oz, Inventi Ensemble (the 2021 Merlyn Myer Commission), Plexus Collective and Matt Withers & Sally Whitwell. In 2023 she won Jazz Work of the Year at the Art Music Awards for her single Busy/Quiet, and composed for jazz sextet for International Women’s Day 2022. Nat is one of a small handful of artists to be nominated in both jazz and classical ARIA categories, as well as receiving AIR, Music Victoria and Bell Award nominations. She also received the 2010 Melbourne Prize for Music (Development Award). She holds an Honours degree in jazz improvisation from the Victorian College of the Arts and a Masters degree in classical composition from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. She is an Associate Composer through the Australian Music Centre. She is proudly neurodivergent.

‘I’m deeply honoured to have been chosen as Melbourne Recital Centre’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence. It will allow me the opportunity to develop and present several projects across genres, with a particular focus on celebrating and supporting neurodivergent audiences and artists.’ Nat Bartsch

Melbourne Recital Centre’s Artistin-Residence program is generously supported by The Vizard Foundation.

Music Circle You are invited to become part of the Music Circle by making an annual, tax-deductible, gift of $1,000 or more. By donating to Melbourne Recital Centre, you will be joining a community of fellow music-lovers who are passionate about chamber music in Melbourne. Your annual Music Circle donation will bring great music to life in our city by supporting opportunities for talented local artists to build flourishing careers, as well as providing a platform for the greatest musicians from around the world to move, excite, and delight local audiences. In appreciation of the crucial role that you will play in filling Melbourne Recital Centre with great music, you will enjoy special invitations throughout the year to gather after concerts and meet the wonderful international and local artists whose performances they make possible. Your gift will be recognised on our website, in our Annual Report, and in concert programs. Donate to the Music Circle today and play your part in bringing live music to life at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Donate here To learn more, visit melbournerecital.com.au/support or contact Sylvie Huigen, Development Manager on (03) 9207 2648 or sylvie.huigen@melbournerecital.com.au

Key Presenting Partners We are proud to welcome our Key Presenting Partners back to Melbourne Recital Centre in 2024.

Take your seat

Celebrate your love of live music, honour a loved one, or commemorate a special occasion with a seat plaque in the extraordinary Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre. Your seat plaque is a recognition of your $2,000 tax-deductible donation to Melbourne Recital Centre, and will be displayed on your chosen seat in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall for 10 years. You can dedicate your seat to a special person or include a message of your choosing, with up to 25 characters per line, across two lines. Some restrictions apply. Following the installation of your plaque, you will be invited to view your dedicated seat and to enjoy a private behindthe-scenes tour of the Centre. To learn more, visit melbournerecital.com.au/name-a-seat or contact Sylvie Huigen, Development Manager on (03) 9207 2648 or sylvie.huigen@melbournerecital.com.au

Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields perform to a sold-out Elisabeth Murdoch Hall in October 2023.

Founding Patron

Members

The Late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch ac dbe

Lin Bender am

Penny Hutchinson

Founding Benefactors The Kantor Family

Deborah Cheetham Fraillon ao

Julie Kantor ao

The Calvert-Jones Family

Jim Cousins ao

Stephen McIntyre am

Lyn Williams am

Kathryn Fagg ao

Richard Mills am

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

Margaret Farren-Price & Ronald Farren-Price am

Lady Primrose Potter ac

Robert Salzer Foundation

Jordi Savall

The Hugh Williamson Foundation

Richard Gubbins

Mary Vallentine ao

Principal Government Partner

Program Partners

Supporting Partners

™

M O U N T C A M E L R I D G E E S TAT E H A

E U

A S

T T

H R

C A

O L

T I

E A

Media Partners

Foundations and Leadership Support

ANONYMOUS

THE ARANDAY FOUNDATION

BALLANDRY (PETER GRIFFIN FAMILY) FUND

THE CALVERT-JONES FOUNDATION

THE CANNY QUINE FOUNDATION

ESTHER & BRIAN BENJAMIN

THE PEGGY & LESLIE CRANBOURNE FOUNDATION

THE MARIAN & E.H. FLACK TRUST

GRAS FOUNDATION TRUST

GAILEY LAZARUS FOUNDATION

MERCER FAMILY FOUNDATION

M.S. NEWMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

THE SENTINEL FOUNDATION

SIRIUS FOUNDATION

THE ULLMER FAMILY FOUNDATION

THE VIZARD FOUNDATION

WARWICK AND PAULETTE BISLEY

D & X WILLIAMSON FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND

THE HUGH WILLIAMSON FOUNDATION

Thank you to all of our generous donors, whose support plays a crucial role in ensuring that we can continue to present a broad range of the greatest musicians and ensembles from Australia and around the world. A full list of our supporters can be found at melbournerecital.com.au/our-patrons

Celebrating music in all its extraordinary forms Melbourne Recital Centre has come a long way since opening in 2009. And there is so much more to be discovered.

Go beyond Exquisite Classical Experiences in 2024 and discover:

Captivating Contemporary Experiences

Featuring renowned indie, popular, established and avant-garde artists, bands and ensembles.

Daring New Music Experiences

Featuring adventurous, contemplative and insightful sound creators and music-makers.

Enriching Family Experiences

Authentic Cultural Experiences

Charming Chamber Music Experiences

Featuring bright and brainy music educators and entertainers.

Featuring passionate and heartfelt global storytellers.

Featuring masterful local, national and international artists and ensembles.

Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre Management

Cnr Southbank Blvd & Sturt St

Board Members

Southbank, VIC, 3006

Professor Andrea Hull AO, Chair

Contact Box Office P: +61 3 9699 3333 (Monday-Friday 11am-5pm) E: boxoffice@melbournerecital.com.au

Paul Donnelly, Deputy Chair Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO The Hon Mary Delahunty Assoc Prof Jody Evans

Join our online community

Liz Grainger

Melbourne Recital Centre

Monica Lim

@MelbRecital

Peter McMullin AM

Melbourne Recital Centre

Senior Leadership Team

Melbourne Recital Centre

Sandra Willis, Chief Executive Officer Marshall McGuire, Director of Programming Sarah MacPherson, Director of Corporate Services Jasja van Andel, Head of Operations Alistaire Bowler, Head of Development Latoyah Forsyth, Head of Marketing and Visitor Experience

Special thanks to: Paoli Smith Creative and Design paolismith.com.au Southern Impact Printing southernimpact.com.au This brochure uses paper from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests.

Your Calendar of Exquisite Classical Experiences at Melbourne Recital Centre in 2024 FEBRUARY

APRIL

JULY

Fri 2 Feb

Fri 5 Apr

Mon 8 Jul

Andrew Blanch & Emily Granger – Suite Mágica

Jakob Lindberg – The Lute in Europe c. 1600

Xavier de Maistre + Affinity Quartet AUGUST

Tue 6 Feb

Wed 10 Apr

Paul Lewis

JACK Quartet – String Creatures Tue 13 Aug Augustin Hadelich MAY

Tue 27 Feb Brooklyn Rider – The Four Elements Sat 4 May

Tue 20 Aug

Jane Austen’s Music

Trio Gaspard

MARCH

JUNE

OCTOBER

Thu 14 Mar

Tue 4 June

Wed 30 Oct

Genesis Baroque – Holding Court with J.S. Bach

Yeol Eum Son

Nobuyuki Tsujii

Mon 25 Mar

Fri 28 June

Thu 31 Oct

Víkingur Ólafsson + Consortium

Satu Vänskä & Konstantin Shamray

Goldner String Quartet

We are lovers of live music, we are where live music lives.