What's On: January, February & March 2018 by Melbourne Recital Centre

PERF U M E GEN I US 9 MARCH

JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH 2018 Win business class tickets with Etihad Airways Music Play Family Festival makes some noise with Regurgitator Great Performers Nelson Freire (piano) & Measha Brueggergosman (soprano) Summer Sounds: Perfume Genius, Moses Sumney, Mount Eerie & Julie Byrne, Canned Heat, Tinariwen & Seu Jorge A journey to the New World with Jordi Savall, HespĂ¨rion XXI & Tembembe Ensamble Continuo PP1000016130

Tuesday

JANUARY

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday

15 Life is a Cabaret — p6

Stan & Mabel — p4

Compose a Score — p5

Teeny Tiny Stevies — p5

Bambula — p7

22 Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble — p11

Sea Sounds — p5

17–20 JANUARY 2018

Mount Eerie & Julie Byrne — p8

Godspeed You! Black Emperor — p7

23 Libor Smoldas Organ Trio — p11

24 Brazil's Modern Poets — p11

How to Live Better Longer — p11

Junk Workshop — p5

Burst Into Song — p4 Carnival of the Animals — p5 Story of Sound — p5

Duo Åkerlund/Paulson — p8 Morning Star: The Music of Arvo Pärt — p9 Reworked — p10

MARCH

Ensemble Three: Undercurrents — p17

13 Ensemble Density — Sessions — p17

Ziggy & Miles Johnston — p20

Lucid Dreaming 1 — p22

Nelson Freire — p21

26 Free Music — p25

London Klezmer Quartet — p14

Inventi Ensemble — p30

Flinders Quartet — p22

In the House of Rossini — p29

13 Ludovico’s Band — p30

Yiyun Gu: East Meets West — p34

Stiletto Sisters — p31

20 MVA: Karin Schaupp & Umberto Clerici — p35

Canned Heat — p35

Matthew Sheens — Variations on a Massacre — p23

St David's Day Concert — p24

08 Melbourne Art Song Collective — p29

21 Tangents — p36 Seu Jorge — The Life Aquatic: A Tribute to David Bowie — Outside back cover

Let’s Talk Proms! — p33 Tony Gould & Ben Robertson Duo — p33 Goldner String Quartet — p34

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • The information in this brochure is correct at time of printing.

2018 Rebetiko Festival — p27

10 The Beautiful Blue Danube — p30

Ross McHenry Trio — p36 Seu Jorge — The Life Aquatic: A Tribute to David Bowie — Outside back cover

18 ABO: Thomas Tallis' England — p20

Trioc: A Fair Wind — p29

15 ARCO: Pastoral Melodies — p33

17 ABO: Thomas Tallis' England — p20

Perfume Genius — p26

11 3MBS Bach Marathon — p16

MCO: Romance — p24

Kennedy Snow: Everything It Could Be — p25

14 Measha Brueggergosman — p32

Ultrafox: Django's Legacy — p23

07 Tinariwen — p28

Top Class Dance 2018 — p23

10 Anja & Zlatna — p16

Evergreen Ensemble — p25

ASQ: Glass Dean Mendelssohn — p16

Sophie Koh: Lunar New Year Concert — p20

Orava Quartet & Greta Bradman — p27

Jordi Savall — p19

MVA: Sabine Meyer & Alliage Quintet — p22

Top Class Music 2018 — p23

Jordi Savall — p19

04 Colin Hay — p14

03 Colin Hay — p14

Zulya and The Children of the Underground — p15

Deva Premal & Miten with Manose — p10

07 Belle Chen — p15

Three Shades Blue — p13

The Necks — p13

Respire — p14

Moses Sumney — p12

Regurgitator For Kids — p4 Rock-a-Bye Baby — p5 Club Kidz with MzRizk — p5 Gotye & Mess — p6 Rade Šerbedžija — p10

Tom Barton: Reflections — p13

Sunday

FAMILY FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY

Thursday

18 MYO: Petrushka — p34

WOMINJEK A, WELCOME Summer sees some of the biggest names in classical and pop making bold and brilliant music at Melbourne Recital Centre. Some are old friends, like the legendary Jordi Savall. His instrument is the exquisitely expressive cello-like viola da gamba, and his concerts are feasts for the heart and the mind. This time he explores the journey of music from Spain to the Americas, with Mexican Baroque group Temembe Ensamble Continuo. He also gives an East Coast exclusive second performance: some beloved works from the heart of his repertoire (21 & 22 Feb). From a very different world, the post-rock icons Godspeed You! Black Emperor returns to Elisabeth Murdoch Hall with their monumental and enveloping sonorities (22 Jan). We’re also delighted to welcome back our presenting partners, such as the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Musica Viva who begin their 2018 seasons in February with gorgeous music and stellar artists. New to the Centre this year are performers to excite lovers of all kinds of music. Moses Sumney is a singer-songwriter who brings his lush and soulful debut album to life in his electrifying live concerts (1 Feb). A force of nature, North African band Tinariwen has created a powerful and political kind of music — Saharan rock — which is their vehicle for expressing the dreams of the Tuareg people of North Africa (14 Mar). Pop provocateur Perfume Genius and his intimate and confessional music also comes to Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (9 Mar). We’re pleased to play host for the annual 3MBS Marathon for the first time. In 2018 you can immerse yourself in the music of the Bach family — Johann Sebastian and sons — as performed by some of your favourite Australian musicians (18 Feb). Making their Recital Centre debuts in the Great Performers series are two exciting artists who demonstrate the spectrum of the art of the recital. Eminent Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire is renowned for his imaginative and intelligent performances (26 Feb) and Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman gives eclectic concerts brimming with her joie-de-vivre (21 Mar). We promise something for everyone and our family festival Music Play delivers with rock band Regurgitator and orchestral concerts, workshops and free activities for the young and the young at heart (17—20 Jan). This is just the beginning of an enthralling year of performances, and I look forward to sharing them with you. Warm regards

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is proud to be a partner of Melbourne Recital Centre. By bringing internationally acclaimed artists from around the world, Etihad Airways is able to enrich the experience of Centre patrons. With two services a day between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi and an award-winning Premium Lounge at Melbourne Airport, Etihad Airways is proud to connect Victorians to the world’s cultural centres in more style and luxury than ever. We trust you will enjoy the superior quality of our guest experience and make a stopover to marvel at the wonders of our home, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

SARAH BUILT General Manager, Australia & New Zealand

YOUR TICKETS TO FLY Win Business Class flights on Etihad Airways to an Etihad destination of your choice. See page 18 for details.

EUAN MURDOCH

CEO, Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre acknowledges the people of the Kulin nation on whose land the Centre stands.

FAMILY FESTIVAL

17–20 JANUARY 2018 BIG & MINI CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS & FREE FOYER FUN A big little music festival for kids and families to discover music, play an instrument and make some noise.

Stan & Mabel Paul Rissmann’s musical adventure Stan and Mabel is a perfect introduction to classical music for young audiences. Based on the book written and illustrated by Jason Chapman, it tells the story of a music-loving dog and cat whose mission is to perform in the greatest orchestra in the world. This highly interactive concert will captivate young children with its mix of music, illustrated projections and audience participation and imaginative narration ready by Tripod’s Scott Edgar. INFORMATION

Thu 18 January 10.45am Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (45-mins) Tickets $26

Scott Edgar (Tripod) narrator Brett Kelly conductor Melbourne Youth Orchestra For ages 3—7 years

Regurgitator for Kids

Having been around for virtually a quarter of a century, Brisbane’s quirky crew, Regurgitator heads to Melbourne bringing their punk record written especially for kids. Though the band might be getting on a little bit, they still pride themselves on being the real Peter Pan-type characters of Aussie music with their witty, silly attitude and musical mash up of funk, pop and any other style to suit their ironic, geeky nature. This unique album of kids tunes is about as naughty as punk rock can get and still offer a G rating suitable to kids. Come dress up, be silly and enjoy this fun, G-rated performance made especially for young people and their parents.

Burst Into Song Join us for an inspiring community sing-along extravaganza — Burst Into Song! Singing is one of the most joyous ways we are able to express the music that resonates inside all of us. Join Karen Kyriakou in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall for a choral extravaganza and celebrate some of your favourite nursery rhymes. Burst Into Song is open to one and all — come with your friends and family or register your community group. No prior singing experience necessary! INFORMATION

Fri 19 January 10.45am Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (45-mins) Karen Kyriakou FREE — registrations required For ages 6—11 years

INFORMATION

Sat 20 January 10.45am Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (45-mins) Regurgitator

Tickets $26 For ages 0—11 years

Babes in Arms ticketing applies to select Music Play events. See page 37 for details.

WORKSHOPS Compose a Score

Everyone is a budding composer in this clever workshop. Draw your very own score and hear local legends Inventi Ensemble play your creation, turning your special drawings into musical sound. INFORMATION

Sea Sounds

Teeny Tiny Stevies

Join us on an interactive musical adventure in a magical underwater world full of strange and colourful sea creatures. This sensory play space will explore the calming sounds of the sea with bright playful objects, instruments and props.

Join Beth and Byll from Teeny Tiny Stevies and their cute, furry friends, as they take you on a songful adventure through the ups and downs of being a kid. Singalong to lyrics relatable for both children and parents, with their fun yet informative collection of songs.

INFORMATION

Wed 17 January 9.30am, 10.30am & 11.30am Salon (25-mins) Tickets $10 (Babes in Arms ticketing does not apply) For ages 0—3 years

Thu 18 January 9.30am, 11.15am & 12.45pm Salon (45-mins) Teeny Tiny Stevies Tickets $10 (Babes in Arms ticketing does not apply) For ages 0—3 years

Wed 17 January 10am & 11.30am Imagination Station (45-mins) Inventi Ensemble Tickets $18 (adults can observe for free) For ages 3—7 years (10am), 8—12 years (11.30am)

Junk Workshop Create your own instrument and join the ‘Junk Orchestra’. Use your imagination and creativity to turn trash into treasure — creating unique instruments out of ‘junk’ and other recycled items. Then compose an original piece of music with the rest of the group and join the Junk Orchestra for a performance. Bring your ideas and leave with inspiration to continue making music at home with the instruments you create. INFORMATION

Thu 18 January 10am, 11.30am & 1pm Imagination Station (45-mins) Thea Rossen Tickets $18 (adults can observe for free) For ages 6—11 years

Story of Sound

Carnival of the Animals Rock-a-Bye Baby Melbourne’s Inventi Ensemble will lead you through the musical world of Camille Saint-Saëns The Carnival of the Animals. Get up close and personal with musical instruments and join the performance in an interactive session which includes making an instrument. INFORMATION

Fri 19 January 9.30am, 11.15am & 12.45pm Salon (70-mins) Inventi Ensemble Tickets $20 For ages 6—11 years

Expect crawling, dancing and noisy delight with PBS’ Rock-A-Bye Baby and the high-priestess of Melbourne’s soul scene, Kylie Auldist. Bring your best boogieready attitudes, as Kylie lends her soaring vocal pyrotechnics and exciting brand of funk-soul to this concert. It’s a no-frills, no sugar, no crazy costumed affair — see a real band and make some noise. INFORMATION

Sat 20 January 9.30am, 11.15am & 12.45pm Salon (45-mins) Kylie Auldist Tickets $20 (Babes in Arms ticketing does not apply) For families of all ages

Dive into the world of music-making exploring a range of unusual instruments and sounds. Get creative with water marimbas, thumb pianos, crotales, gongs and other exotic instruments. INFORMATION

Fri 19 January 10am, 11.30am & 1pm Imagination Station (45-mins) Tickets $18 (adults can observe for free) For ages 6—11 years

Club Kids with MzRizk In an explosion of colour, glow sticks, and lycra DJ MzRizk brings the party for a fun morning of music, dance, arts and crafts. INFORMATION

Sat 20 January 10am & 11.30am Imagination Station (45-mins no interval) DJ MzRizk Tickets $18 (Babes in Arms ticketing does not apply) For ages 0—3 years

FOR BOOKINGS VISIT MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU OR PHONE 03 9699 3333 • TRANSACTION & DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY

GOTYE & MESS PRESENT

JEAN-JACQUES PERREY ET SON ONDIOLINE

WALLY DE BACKER

Photo © Anna Webber

Jean-Jacques Perrey (1929—2016) was a pioneer of electronic pop music celebrated for his uniquely whimsical sampled soundworld, his ground breaking style of rhythmic tape editing and his early use of the Moog modular synthesizer. Perrey was also the world’s only virtuoso of the Ondioline, a remarkable French proto-synthesizer developed from the 1940s to the 1960s. On the occasion of what would have been Perrey’s 89th birthday, Wally De Backer, better known by his stage name Gotye, presents a personal tribute to someone he considers his spiritual grandfather.

Wally got to know Jean-Jacques over the last few years of the elder musician’s life, and during this time Jean-Jacques and his daughter entrusted Wally with many materials from the composer’s personal archive. This led to the release of a unique retrospective compilation of early Ondioline recordings entitled Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline on an archival label that Wally established called Forgotten Futures. Through his extensive research and a deep appreciation of JeanJacques’ music with the Ondioline, Wally has embarked on a long-term project to revive the Ondioline as a functional and accessible musical instrument for a new generation of

musicians. Wally will celebrate Jean-Jacques’ birthday by demonstrating the Ondioline in this intimate, solo setting, playing songs from across Jean-Jacques’ eclectic and unpredictable career, as well as presenting rare restored recordings from the maestro’s archive. INFORMATION

Sat 20 January 7pm & 9pm Salon (One hour no interval) Wally De Backer Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio)

Life is a Cabaret Glorious music from the age of decadence. As part of Midsumma Festival, 3 Shades Black is mounting an expedition to the decadent age of cabaret; when fops were dandies, flappers were chanteuses, and the music was witty and very, very gay. Singer Georgie Darvidis, pianist Jacob Abela, and ring master and bassist Miranda Hill guide you on a journey from Bernstein to Ma Rainey with a stop-over in Chicago. Be warned, there may be sequins. INFORMATION

3 SHADES BLACK Photo © Sarah Walker

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • JANUARY

Mon 22 January 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring songs from Cabaret and Chicago, jazz standards by Billie Holiday, Cole Porter, Ma Rainey, Billy Strayhorn and selections from Copland, Bernstein and Britten. 3 Shades Black Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre in association with Midsumma Festival

GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR Following their gripping and immersive performances in 2016, Godspeed You! Black Emperor returns to showcase their new album Luciferian Towers along with songs from their critically acclaimed back catalogue. The Montreal post-rockers have a reputation for delivering the most mesmerising shows, infusing orchestral dynamics with stunning cinematic film loops and epic rock power, where composition and emotion fuse into a sound like no other. Their ability to ‘make resistance sound holy and love sound like a revolutionary act’ (NME) is contained in the band’s inimitable signposts and touchstones of sound: savage drones and oscillating overtones, inexorable crescendos and scorched earth transitions.

BAMBULA

INFORMATION

Mon 22 January 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 20-mins incl. interval) Godspeed! You Black Emperor (U.S.A.) A reserve $85 B reserve $75 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Handsome Tours

Bambula, like so many words in our rich indigenous languages, means many things. It signifies a ceremonial ground, a sacred site and the place from which things originate. In the words of Daniel Wilfred, ‘It is the place where the ancestor’s fingers touched the ground’. David and Daniel Wilfred perform ceremonies over a wide swathe of S.E. Arnhem Land. The songs they publicly perform, called manikay, are portals through space and time, bringing the time of beginnings, that which we call ‘Dreamtime’, into the here and now. Over 15 years, Paul Grabowsky has worked with the Wilfred clan, making the various iterations of Crossing Roper Bar with the Australian Art Orchestra, and the award-winning Nyilipidgi with the Monash Art Ensemble. These were all performances for ensembles ranging in size from a handful of players to 20. Now, with Bambula, Grabowsky has reduced the sonic palette down to essentials. The searing, haunting voice of Daniel Wilfred, the masterful yidaki playing of David Wilfred, and Grabowsky on the instrument he describes as his ‘existential mirror’, the piano. INFORMATION

PAUL GRABOWSKY, DANIEL & DAVID WILFRED

Tue 23 January 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Paul Grabowsky piano David Wilfred yidaki (didjeridu)

Daniel Wilfred vocal & bilma (clapsticks) Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

FOR BOOKINGS VISIT MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU OR PHONE 03 9699 3333 • TRANSACTION & DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY

Mount Eerie AND

Julie Byrne

MOUNT EERIE

Two of life’s great wanderers, Mount Eerie and Julie Byrne have a lot of time for each other. Phil Elverum, AKA Mount Eerie, is a prolific multi-instrumentalist and producer who has worked across countless projects and bands; a writer, photographer, painter and poet. His latest release A Crow Looked At Me was lauded with Pitchfork’s ‘Best New Music’ rating and is a heart wrenching ode to the death of his wife Geneviève Castrée — akin to the recent autobiographical releases by Sun Kil Moon, Sufjan Stevens and Nick Cave. In perfect accompaniment on a double bill, Julie Byrne’s blend of folk, new age and silence was first praised by Elverum when he saw her play — a deep appreciation mingled through moments of breathlessness.

Duo Åkerlund/ Paulson

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • JANUARY

Duo Åkerlund/Paulson plays music for dreamers and dancers using the language of traditional Swedish folk. Simplicity becomes something beautiful in their poetic dance and musical conversation. Nyckelharpa virtuoso, Josefina Paulson, is acclaimed as one of Sweden’s finest traditional musicians. She has a bachelor degree in traditional Swedish music from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, and tours internationally, performing, teaching and sharing her deep knowledge of the traditional music of her homeland region, Västmanland. Jonas Åkerlund is a multi instrumentalist, playing fiddle, hardanger fiddle, guitar and Swedish bagpipe. Trained

JULIE BYRNE

INFORMATION

Wed 24 January 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 20-mins incl. interval) Mount Eerie (U.S.A.) Julie Byrne (U.S.A.) A reserve $59 B reserve $49 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Mistletone

at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, Jonas is known for his personal and traditionally rich playing of music from Västerdalarna and Smäland and for his exploration of the borders between tradition, improvisation and creativity. INFORMATION

Wed 24 January 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Josefina Paulson nyckelharpa Jonas Åkerlund fiddle/hardangerfiddle/ guitar/Swedish bagpipe Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

Morning Star

THE MUSIC OF ARVO PÄRT

Grammy-award winning ensemble Vox Clamantis blends a seamless mix of Mediaeval chant with the holy minimalist music by Arvo Pärt in this haunting yet exquisite performance. Invoking the timeless beauty of age old vocal traditions of the Baltic, this acclaimed Estonian ensemble demonstrates the power of singing being so deeply embedded within their culture. Known for their performances based on Gregorian chant and early polyphony mixed in with works by contemporary composers, this performance features the music Arvo Pärt released on the ECM record label, home to Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Steve Reich and John Cage.

INFORMATION

Thu 25 January 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (70-mins no interval) Featuring works by PÄRT, BINCHOIS, PÉROTIN, KREEK, TULVE and KAUMANN. Vox Clamantis (Estonia) Tickets $55 ($45 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

FOR BOOKINGS VISIT MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU OR PHONE 03 9699 3333 • TRANSACTION & DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY

Classical music reimagined, reworked and renewed. Pianist Angelica Olstad’s contemporary style of writing focuses on challenging the norms of classical music by fusing old repertoire with modern minimalism and pop to re-contextualise and transform into a fully immersive experience. In this performance, Angelica pairs with Melbournebased producer Elkkle, taking aim at pieces by Ravel, Debussy and Chopin — turning them inside out with added electronic elements. This concert follows on from Angelica’s debut EP Versions, in which she collaborated with Emmy-award winning, Chris Child.

REWORKED

INFORMATION

Thu 25 January 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Angelica Olstad piano Elkkle electronics Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

ANGELICA OLSTAD

After European and North American tours, these renowned artists are visiting Australia for the first time to perform live in concert. Promising an unforgettable night for dreamers, romantics and poetry lovers, distinguished actor, director and musician Rade Šerbedžija joins one of the world’s best guitarists Miroslav Tadić for an evening of song.

Rade Šerbedžija I Have a Song For You

INFORMATION

Sat 27 January 8pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours no interval) Rade Šerbedžija (Croatia) Miroslav Tadić A reserve $95 B reserve $85 C reserve $75 Presented by U-neXt

An Evening with Deva Premal & Miten with Manose Deva Premal and Miten with Manose offer a special evening of inspiring chants and music. Their chants offer something of a musical balm to calm the nerves and nourish the spirit. Deva and Miten began their journey into love, music and meditation in 1990 when they met at an Ashram in India while studying meditation. Since then they have committed themselves to a nomadic existence, intent on sharing a life carried on the wings of these powerful healing formulas, known to the world as Mantra. Deva and Miten have released a string of CDs since their first, The Essence, in 1998, which rocketed to the top of the alternative music charts around the world. Their annual world tour, which includes around 25 countries, attracts thousands of devotees. INFORMATION

Sun 28 January 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Deva Premal vocals/keyboard Miten vocals/guitar

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • JANUARY

Manose flute/voice/percussion A reserve $55 B reserve $45 Presented by Chris Hooper Promotions

MELBOURNE AFRICAN TRADITIONAL ENSEMBLE

LIBOR SMOLDAS

Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble The Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble (MATE) produces a warm, halcyon sound which gently carries the listener through a ruminative, cerebral journey. While the broad latitude and depth of sounds derived from the traditional instruments belonging to the diaspora are distinct individually in timbre, tone and rhythm, they are beautifully united with the overlying warmth and tempo of the stringed instruments and vocals. Scintillating polyrhythms of the mbira and foot percussion dance elegantly beneath the harmonies of the stringed krar (five stringed lyre) and masinko. Blended into the seamless weave of this aural cloth is a remarkable vocal range. The ensemble will also be joined by EthiopianAmerican saxophonist and musicologist Danny Mekonnen for a unique performance that will reveal how the saxophone was adopted and incorporated in traditional Ethiopian music. INFORMATION

Mon 29 January 6pm Salon (One hour & 45-mins incl. interval) Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble

Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble

Libor Smoldas Organ Trio One of Europe’s top jazz guitarist Libor Smoldas joins forces with local organist Tim Neal and drummer Mike Jordan for his debut Melbourne performance. Dubbed ‘Europe’s rising young jazz star’ (All About Jazz USA), Libor is an energetic force to be reckoned with, showcasing his smooth, melodic sound with Tim, Mike and a surprise special guest for a selection of original songs and a couple of jazz standards. INFORMATION

Tue 30 January 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Libor Smoldas Organ Trio Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

How to Live Better Longer (Without Really Trying)

PANORAMA BRASIL

Brazil’s Modern Poets Melbourne band Panorama Brasil turns its focus to the great lyricists of Brazil. From the earliest days of samba, Brazil has produced lyricists capable of social insight, cutting wit and subtle beauty. From the protest songs of the dictatorship eras, to the intimacy of bossa nova, Panorama Brasil presents incredible songs from some of Brazil’s greatest modern poets including Chico Buarque, Fernando Brant, Vinicius de Moraes and Edu Lobo. INFORMATION

Wed 31 January 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Panorama Brasil Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Panorama Brasil

An evening of sex, drugs and overeating with Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken. Over the course of the evening Chris and Xand examine how it’s possible to get the most out of ourselves, addressing a question that has troubled the great thinkers of the ages through all of time: ‘what can I get away with?’ Their answers come from their own work as doctors and scientists at Oxford, Harvard and University College London — as well as the swamp forests of the Congo, Malaysian religious rituals, hallucinogens from the Amazon, naked swimming in the Arctic Ocean and work in refugee camps and war zones. The evening features slides, video clips, probably an unscripted argument between the brothers and at least one tastefully composed nude picture. Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken are doctors, researchers, parents and TV presenters. They have won two BAFTAs for their popular children’s series, Operation Ouch.

INFORMATION

Wed 31 January 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (90-mins no interval) Dr Chris & Dr Xand van Tulleken A reserve $95 B reserve $79 Presented by Andrew Kay & Associates

FOR BOOKINGS VISIT MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU OR PHONE 03 9699 3333 • TRANSACTION & DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY

MOSES SUMNEY With a voice both smooth and haunting, Moses Sumney’s rise has come through via a wave of word-of-mouth praise, hushed recordings and dynamic live performances. His music, particularly Aromanticism, his debut album, transforms universal loneliness and otherworldly compositional backgrounds that sit beneath a narration of personal journey. He’s performed alongside David Byrne, Karen O, Sufjan Stevens and Solange, now the Ghana-raised, Californian troubadour brings his widened spectrum of ‘bedroom’ music to lift the ceiling off Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. ‘Of the many striking aspects of Moses Sumney — his skyscraping height, his hallucinatory, Nina Simone-like dreamscapes, his Rolodex of starry musician friends — most intriguing of all is his voice. A feathery falsetto, often layered to celestial effect, it flutters daintily over lambent guitar and sweeping strings. It’s surely the reason that Sufjan Stevens and James Blake asked him to join them on tour. Or why Beck chose Sumney to appear on his covers compilation, Song Reader; ditto Solange Knowles, for last year’s epic A Seat at the Table. As he explains one evening in a restaurant in Echo Park, Los Angeles, sometimes singing to him feels like dancing,’ The Guardian. INFORMATION

Thu 1 February 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Moses Sumney (U.S.A.) with support Tickets $59 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Mistletone

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • FEBRUARY

Reflections

THREE SHADES BLUE

Three Shades Blue FEATURING

Kristin Berardi Three Shades Blue is a blues/roots band featuring Kristin Berardi (vocals), Dave McGuire (guitar) and Joel Gregory (double bass). The trio formed when they were students at the Queensland Conservatorium in early 2000. Over 10 years later they have now reformed. Expect a celebration of song and friendship with music ranging from old school blues to sublime acoustic folk.

Genre-defying vocalist Tom Barton unveils a suite of adventurous new musical compositions exploring modern jazz, poetry, improvisation, live looping and electronics. Performed by a debut ensemble featuring Nathan Liow (piano), Isaac Barter (acoustic bass) and Justin Olsson (drums/percussion), it’s music which reflects on the psychology and philosophy of life and loss. Tom sings prose and wordless music with the spirit of an instrumentalist. ‘A breakthrough in leadingedge jazz vocals’ — John McBeath, The Weekend Australian. INFORMATION

Fri 9 February 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Tom Barton voice/electronics Nathan Liow piano Isaac Barter acoustic bass Justin Olsson drums/electronic percussion Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Tom Barton

INFORMATION

Sat 3 February 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Three Shades Blue Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Kristin Berardi

THE

Necks

TOM BARTON

After one of their busiest years yet in 2017 — which featured the release of the acclaimed double LP Unfold — The Necks, Australia’s legendary artists-inresonance, return for their third live iteration in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. The hard-earned, almost telepathic rapport that Chris Abrahams, Lloyd Swanton and Tony Buck have developed over the past 30 years is truly one of the most compelling in live music and the magic of their incredible on stage improvisation is showing no signs of losing its sparkle. INFORMATION

Fri 9 February 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 20-mins incl. interval) The Necks Tickets $55 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Top Shelf

FOR BOOKINGS VISIT MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU OR PHONE 03 9699 3333 • TRANSACTION & DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY

COLIN HAY Colin Hay returns to Australia with his U.S. band — a veritable smorgasbord of international flavours — on guitar and tres, Cuban, San Miguel Perez, with fellow Cuban Yosmel Montejo on bass — Scheila Gonzalez on keyboard, flute and sax — Cecilia Noel, percussion and vocals — and Jimmy Branly on drums. Colin’s latest album, Fierce Mercy, finds him at the top of his game. Alongside the thoughtful storytelling in his songs, Hay’s shows are peppered with hilarious anecdotes from his, often surreal, experiences in the world of rock music. INFORMATION

Sat 10 February 7.30pm & Sun 11 February 5pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (90-mins no interval) Colin Hay and band A reserve $95 B reserve $85 Presented by Lazy Eye

LOCAL HEROES

LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET

A Klezmer Journey PENNY QUARTET

Dance, sing, laugh and cry as the London Klezmer Quartet takes you on a musical odyssey from Eastern Europe to Australia via the Balkans, Thailand, Turkey, the U.S. and London. The group plays old and new traditional music on fiddle, clarinet, accordion and double bass, and presents songs of love, life, food and drink.

Formed at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2014, Penny Quartet is rapidly gaining a reputation as a fresh, interpretative voice to chamber music giving high profile recitals, festival showcases and master classes across the country. Respire features works chosen to uplift and energise, exploring three very different yet equally intoxicating composers. From the pulsating urgency of John Adams, the meeting of traditional and experimental techniques found in Jorg Widmann’s writing, to the ethereal and often euphoric Britten.

INFORMATION

Sat 10 February 3pm & 6pm Salon (70-mins no interval) London Klezmer Quartet Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

Mon 12 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) JOHN ADAMS Fellow Traveller JORG WIDMANN String Quartet No.4 BRITTEN String Quartet No.1 in D, Op.25

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • FEBRUARY

Penny Quartet Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Two concert 2018 package $66 ($49 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Penny Quartet

Global Soundscapes An immersive and evocative recreation of locations around the world through classical music, soundscapes, improvisation and perfumes. From the tropical sounds of Java, storms in southern Spain, the spice markets of Istanbul to Buenos Aires, pianist Belle Chen performs works of Ravel, Mompou, Poulenc, Scarlatti, Fazil Say, and Piazzolla amidst manipulated field recordings and improvisation in collaboration with perfumer Nadjib Achaibou and other guest musicians. INFORMATION

Thu 15 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring selections by RAVEL, POULENC, HYDE, PIAZZOLLA and original compositions by BELLE CHEN. Belle Chen piano/sound design Nadjib Achaibou perfumer Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

BELLE CHEN

ZULYA AND THE CHILDREN OF THE UNDERGROUND

A TALE OF LOVE & DEATH

Fourteen years, four albums, one ARIA award and two ARIA nominations, Zulya and The Children of the Underground is placed firmly at the crossroads of restlessness and the sublime. The result: a transformative concert of music that is haunting and nuanced, with Zulya’s smouldering vocals supported and enriched by accordion, clarinet, guitar, double bass and percussion. Inspired by lead singer Zulya’s Tatar and Russian heritage and her interest in the fairy-tale world of storytelling and riddles, this is intriguing contemporary music with a twist. Like the stories they are drawn from, this unique selection of fairy tales and riddles set to music ranges from the poignant and beautiful to the mysterious and macabre. The music defies being labeled, but has been described as ‘Kurt Weillish, EuroCabaret jazz colliding with lullabies constructed to tear your heart out.’ INFORMATION

Fri 16 February 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Zulya and The Children of the Underground

Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Zulya and The Children of the Underground

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LOCAL HEROES

Glass Dean Mendelssohn

ANJA & ZLATNA

Balkan Jewels FRANCESCA HIEW

The Australian String Quartet presents a program of works that traverse the vast spectrum of human emotions. Philip Glass reflects upon the life of the iconic poet Yukio Mishima in a work of great evocative power, gripping in its vivid musical imagery of the controversial artist’s turbulent life. Brett Dean’s art is driven by serious concerns and his first string quartet responds to the events of the refugee crisis, through music of haunting eeriness and explosive anger reaching tentatively towards the hope for peace. The intensity of these opening works finds a perfect counterpoise in Mendelssohn’s radiant String Quartet in D, where the composer marshals the full resources of his prodigious musicality in a virtuosic creation of musical sunshine. With all the ecstatic brilliance of the composer’s most joyful music, the quartet reminds us of music’s power to revive the spirits. INFORMATION

Fri 16 February 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) PHILIP GLASS String Quartet No.3, Mishima BRETT DEAN String Quartet No.1, Eclipse

MENDELSSOHN String Quartet in D, Op.44, No.1 Australian String Quartet Tickets $85 ($65 concession) Three concert 2018 package $225 ($174 conc) Presented by Australian String Quartet

Anja & Zlatna is a vibrant ensemble which seeks to preserve the beauty of traditional melodies from the beautiful Balkans and beyond. This is a celebratory evening, exploring songs and dances which have been long cherished by people from this region. Melodies and texts spring forth from centuries long past with their powerful threads and themes reaching out to our modern-day communities; leitmotifs of love, yearning and friendship bring together a diversity of melodic and rhythmic traditions — transporting you to the faraway lands of this beautiful region. INFORMATION

Sat 17 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Selection of traditional Serbian, Bosnian Italian, Sephardic, Moldovan, Hungarian, Turkish, Bulgarian and Macedonian songs. Anja & Zlatna Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Two concert 2018 package $66 ($49 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Anja & Zlatna

3MBS BACH MARATHON The 3MBS Bach Marathon brings Australia’s finest classical musicians together to present an all-day experience, celebrating the works of the Bach family. Across six concerts in a single day, the Bach Marathon presents a selection of J.S. Bach’s incredible output of masterworks, across section of works by his sons and arrangements by other prominent composers who drew on Bach’s works for inspiration. Highlights include the first performance in 240 years of the C.P.E. Bach St Matthew Passion (1777) performed by Melbourne Bach Choir and Orchestra, and Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Timo-Veikko Valve performing the Cello Suite BWV 1012 on a five-string piccolo cello. Teacher and student combination Robin Wilson and 9-year-old Christian Li will perform the much-loved double violin concerto; Sutherland Trio and Friends tackle the joyous but relatively unknown Piano Quartet gem by J.C. Bach, and Australian Boys Choir, Flinders Quartet and Calvin Bowman will make their Marathon debut. The day concludes with the masterful Goldberg Variations by eminent pianist and teacher Stephen McIntyre and past students Caroline Almonte, Kristian Chong, Stefan Cassomenos, Lachlan Tan and Peter de Jager.

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • FEBRUARY

The 3MBS Bach Marathon also includes a dedicated children’s concert, Meeting J.S. Bach. Bring your youngest music lovers along to enjoy performances by leading musicians from the orchestras of Melbourne, as they learn about the fantastic world of dance, fugues and music. INFORMATION

Sun 18 February 10am, 12pm, 2.15pm, 4.15pm, 6.30pm & 8.15pm Melbourne Recital Centre Premium $70 Standard $35 ($20 conc) All day and half day marathon tickets also available. Presented by 3MBS

LOCAL HEROES

Undercurrents Described as ‘an inspiring example of forward-thinking classical music culture’ (CutCommon), Ensemble Three takes in influences from genres as diverse as jazz, popular, avant-garde and traditional classical. The ensemble’s innovative programming and engaging presentation style has earned acclaim from their concerts in Australia, Asia, and the U.S.A., as well as Melbourne Recital Centre’s Contemporary Masters Award. Undercurrents combines new works in a program that explores fragile and subtle textures alongside more robust sound worlds. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, the timbres of trumpet, trombone and electric guitar are woven together with live sound manipulation. INFORMATION

Mon 19 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) HARRY SDRAULIG Aubade JANE HAMMOND Country Crow Shuffle KATY ABBOTT UndercurrenT 2 JAKE DONAHUE new work ELLIOT HUGHES Despite Our Silent Elders

Ensemble Three Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Two concert 2018 package $66 ($49 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Ensemble Three

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Sessions (New York, ’57) – Ensemble Density Sessions recreates an open rehearsal that took place in New York in 1957 where a group of musicians were guided through a graphic score by pioneering electronic composer Edgard Varèse. This concert features works by composers who had a direct relationship with that event: organiser Earle Brown, audience member John Cage and jazz bassist Charles Mingus. Ensemble Density specialises in the performance of improvised contemporary classical art music featuring members Jeremy Alsop (bass), Helen Bower (violin), Nikki Edgar (cello), Aviva Endean (clarinet), Steve Falk (marimba) Michael Kieran Harvey (piano), Caroline Henbest (viola), Tony Hicks (flute), Charles MacInnes (director), Peter Neville (percussion) and Tristram Williams (trumpet). INFORMATION

Tue 20 February 6pm Salon (50-mins no interval) VARÈSE (arr. Charles MacInnes) Sessions BROWN 4 Systems CAGE Seven

MINGUS Weird Nightmare Ensemble Density Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Ensemble Density

STUDENT $15 See more for less with student priced savings and offers all year round.

MUSIC LOVER $50 Benefits for the frequent concertgoer and local music lover.

PREMIUM $200 All the benefits of a Music Lover membership plus deeper discounts, ticket exchanges and more.

SALON PASS $998 An all-access pass to the Centre’s vibrant Salon program of jazz, chamber and contemporary music.

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JORDI SAVALL

with Hespèrion XXI & Tembembe Ensamble Continuo

Grammy-Award winning ‘early music superstar’ Jordi Savall and two leading ensembles, Hespèrion XXI and Tembembe Ensamble Continuo, explore the inspired and energetic music of Baroque Spain and the Americas. Savall is a multi-instrumentalist, conductor, scholar, teacher, and a record label director who has produced 230 discs since the early 1970s with a focus on Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music. He blurs musical borders — those between past and present and east and west — while his Spanish/ Catalan roots remain at the heart of his music. The first program, Folías Antiguas y Criollas: From the Ancient World to the New World, spans music from the late Renaissance to popular music that survives today. The second program, Folías y Romanescas: The Golden Age Of The Viol, features Savall and an intimate Hespèrion XXI ensemble performing the exquisite ‘greatest hits’ of 16th and 17th-century Spanish, French and English music for the viola da gamba and continuo. INFORMATION

INFORMATION

Folías Antiguas y Criollas: From the Ancient World to the New World

Folías y Romanescas: The Golden Age of The Viol

Wed 21 February 7.30pm (Two hours incl. interval) Elisabeth Murdoch Hall Jordi Savall direction/treble viola de gamba/ bass viola de gamba Hespèrion XXI Tembembe Ensamble Continuo Premium $150 A reserve $115 ($75 conc) B reserve $95 ($75 conc) C reserve $75

Thu 22 February 7.30pm (Two hours incl. interval) Elisabeth Murdoch Hall Jordi Savall direction/treble viola de gamba/ bass viola de gamba Xavier Díaz-Latorre guitar/theorbo Andrew Lawrence-King Spanish Baroque harp Xavier Puertas double bass David Mayoral percussion Premium $150 A reserve $115 ($75 conc) B reserve $95 ($75 conc) C reserve $75

TEMBEMBE ENSAMBLE CONTINUO

Join us for a free pre-concert talk at 6.45pm before each performance. Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre Supported by Yvonne von Hartel AM, Robert Peck AM, Rachel & Marten Peck of peckvonhartel architects

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LUNAR NEW YEAR CONCERT: SOPHIE KOH After her sold out concert in 2017, enigmatic Australian singer Sophie Koh returns with her beautiful piano trio to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Sophie plays original compositions from her new album Book of Songs, as well as Chinese folk favourites. Book of Songs is a splendour of pop songs where East meets West, influenced by Chinese poetry and Western classical music. This exquisite body of work is a revealing look into home and identity. Joining Sophie will be Melbourne’s enchanting female chorus, Ladychoir. INFORMATION

Fri 23 February 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Sophie Koh piano/voice Biddy Connor viola Caerwen Martin cello

Ladychoir Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Sophie Koh

THOMAS TALLIS’ ENGLAND Fly with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and soar gently above the rolling, patchwork ﬁelds of England with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. The monumental legacy of Tallis weaves a common thread through this program of English masterworks by his contemporaries Purcell, Byrd and Gibbons. Be lifted up by the pure angelic voice of countertenor Maximilian Riebl. Joined by the Brandenburg Choir, together their ethereal voices will take you to the shores of that sceptred isle on an epic journey of the imagination.

INFORMATION

Sat 24 February 7pm & Sun 25 February 5pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) Featuring works by BYRD, GIBBONS, HANDEL, PURCELL and TALLIS. RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Paul Dyer artistic director Maximilian Riebl countertenor Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Brandenburg Choir

Premium $165 A reserve $145 B reserve $115 ($76 conc) C reserve $85 ($56 conc) D reserve $55 E reserve $30 Presented by Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

Australian Impressions Join Ziggy and Miles Johnston, as they celebrate the past, present and future of Australian guitar music. Australian Impressions features music by Nigel Westlake, Phillip Houghton and Richard Charlton along with the world premiere of Berträume by Jessop Maticevski-Shumack, this is the music that made the brothers fall in love the guitar. INFORMATION

Mon 26 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Works by PHILLIP HOUGHTON, RICHARD CHARLTON, JESSOP MATICEVSKISHUMACK and NIGEL WESTLAKE.

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • FEBRUARY

Ziggy Johnston classical guitar Miles Johnston classical guitar Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Ziggy & Miles Johnston

GREAT PERFORMERS

Nelson Freire

‘ Nelson Freire is acknowledged as one of the truly great pianists of our time, and on his visit to Australia last year he demonstrated all the qualities that we would expect from such eminence — brilliant virtuosity, poetic sensitivity and a real sense of having something to say through music. His debut Melbourne recital is a thrilling way to open our 2018 Great Performers season.’ MARSHALL MCGUIRE DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC PLANNING

Nelson Freire is the consummate musicians’ musician: intensely attuned to the smallest detail, able to find magic in the notes. Schumann invites pianists to play the turbulent opening of his Fantasie in C ‘imaginatively and passionately in the full sense of the words’, an irresistible call to adventure that is practically Freire’s motto. With a program that ranges from the shadowy glamour of Chopin to Mozart at his most humorous and the ravishing dreams of Debussy and Albéniz, Freire’s passion and imagination are on display — shaping each piece into self-contained world of sensation and colour. INFORMATION

Mon 26 February 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. 20-min interval) Free pre-concert talk 6.45pm MOZART Ten Variations on a Theme by Glück ‘Unser dummer Pöbel meint’, K.455 SCHUMANN Fantasie in C, Op.17 CHOPIN Impromptu No.2 in F-sharp, Op.36 CHOPIN Ballade No.3 in A-flat, Op.47 DEBUSSY Preludes Book II — selection ALBENIZ ‘Evocación’ from Iberia ALBENIZ Navarra

Nelson Freire piano (Brazil) Premium $115 A reserve $102 ($55 conc) B reserve $87 ($55 conc) C reserve $62 ($55 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre Series Partner: Legal Friends of Melbourne Recital Centre Program Partner: The Langham Melbourne

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Lucid Dreaming 1 2018 Arist-in-Residence Genevieve Lacey is joined by writer Alexis Wright, choreographer Lucy Guerin and author Paul Kildea. In the first of three such events for 2018, these distinguished speakers articulate their vision for the arts in Australia. They share music that has shaped their imagination, and discuss ideas of radical and compassionate dreaming. INFORMATION

GENEVIEVE LACEY

Tue 27 February 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Genevieve Lacey Artist-in-Residence/host Alexis Wright writer

Lucy Guerin Artistic Director Lucy Guerin Inc Paul Kildea author Tickets $10 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre LOCAL HEROES

Sabine Meyer & Alliage Quintet

FLINDERS QUARTET

WINGS OF SONG

A journey through musical fairytales, Fantasia mixes the talents of legendary clarinettist Sabine Meyer with the Alliage Quintett, a unique ensemble of four saxophones and a grand piano. On this rare trip to Australia, Sabine’s rightful status as one of the world’s great clarinet soloists is shown in a new light as she joins the Alliage Quintett in walking the perfect line between serious virtuosity and light-hearted entertainment. Both opulent and intimate in its appeal, this unexpected combination comes together to offer an extraordinary range of colours, orchestral in scope but with all the intimacy of the best chamber music. Follow a path full of wonder and dramatic characters including Bernstein’s exuberant Candide, Dukas’ unlucky little magician, and Russian fables reimagined by Stravinsky and Borodin.

Melbourne’s own Flinders Quartet is instantly recognisable as one of Australia’s most loved chamber music ensembles giving dynamic performances of a full spectrum of repertoire with the Quartet’s gripping interpretations of the string quartet masterpieces described as having an ‘intense clarity’. Mozart’s genius of his much-loved string quartet K.464 gives way to an arrangement of Mendelssohn Songs by Flinders Quartet emerging composer, John Rotar which in turn sets the scene for his energising V Vecernih, a short work that brought the house down at the Quartet’s inaugural composer workshop concert in 2016. Beethoven’s Op.135 never fails to astound audiences with its profundity and timeless relevance.

INFORMATION

Tue 27 February 7pm & Sat 3 March 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) BERNSTEIN (arr. Sobol) Overture to Candide DUKAS (arr. Schottstädt) The Sorcerer’s Apprentice SHOSTAKOVICH (arr. Atovmyan) Prelude & Gavotte (from Five Pieces) BORODIN (arr. Gassot/Pépin) Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor) HOLST (arr. Nagao) Venus (The Planets)

SHOSTAKOVICH (arr. Atovmyan) Waltz, Elegy & Polka (from Five Pieces) STRAVINSKY (arr. Gottschick) The Firebird Sabine Meyer clarinet Alliage Quintett Premium $145 ($126 conc) A reserve $121 ($105 conc) B reserve $85 ($74 conc) C reserve $57 ($50 conc) Presented by Musica Viva Australia

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • FEBRUARY

Wed 28 February 7pm Salon (One hour & 40-mins incl. interval) MOZART String Quartet No.18 in A, K.464 MENDELSSOHN (arr. John Rotar) Songs without Words JOHN ROTAR V Vecernih BEETHOVEN String Quartet No.16 in F, Op.135 Flinders Quartet Tickets $50 ($40 conc) Two concert 2018 package $85 ($68 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Flinders Quartet

VCE Season of Excellence 2018 Top Class Dance 2018 presents the beauty, energy and passion of dance. Enjoy a range of VET Dance styles and both VCE Dance Technique and Composition solos. Compered by Chief Assessors, the concerts provide examples of top performing students and insights into preparing for VCE performance examinations. INFORMATION

Top Class Dance 2018

Thu 1 March 10.30am & 2pm

Top Class Music 2018

Tue 6 March 10.30am, 2pm & 6pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (90-mins no interval) Tickets $16.50 ($14.50 conc) Presented by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

ULTRAFOX

Django’s Legacy MATTHEW SHEENS

Matthew Sheens — Variations on a Massacre Expatriate Matthew Sheens has made impressive progress after moving to New York just a few years ago, after winning an APRA/AMCOS Professional Development Award and Downbeat Student Award. This concert showcases his latest original works, Variations on a Massacre, based on a series of musical observations since living in the U.S.A. after the rise of Trump and the far right. The music involves extended form work with improvisations. INFORMATION

Thu 1 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Matthew Sheens piano Gian Slater vocals Sam Anning double bass

Tim Firth drums Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Matthew Sheens

Ultrafox present an evening of swinging gypsy style jazz in the classic Hot Club of France tradition. With years of performing experience Ultrafox combines the muscular driving rhythm of the Manouche and lyricism of Hot Jazz to tender ballads, waltzes and their own compositions. Featuring Peter Baylor on guitar, Esther Henderson on violin and Julie O’Hara on vocals the band pays tribute to the music of the gypsy legend, Django Reinhardt and imbue it with their own personal stamp. INFORMATION

Fri 2 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Ultrafox Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Ultrafox

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ST DAVID’S DAY CONCERT Join the Victoria Welsh Choir’s celebration of the rich Welsh musical tradition with a sparkling array of guests from Wales. Hear the glorious tenor voices of Welsh superstars Rhys Meirion and Aled Wyn Davies of The Three Welsh Tenors, singing solo and with the choir. Also on stage will be one of Wales’ most distinguished conductors, Ilid Anne Jones, who will share the conductor’s podium with the incomparable Faleiry Koczkar OAM, when the choir sings a selection of traditional Welsh repertoire of beautiful four-part male harmony. A night of laughter and joy for all lovers of Wales’ musical heritage. INFORMATION

Fri 2 March 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Aled Wyn Davies tenor Rhys Meirion tenor Ilid Anne Jones conductor

Faleiry Koczkar OAM conductor Victoria Welsh Choir A reserve $50 ($47 conc) B reserve $40 ($37 conc) Presented by Victoria Welsh Choir

Romance

KONSTANTIN SHAMRAY

Be transported into the vivid emotional worlds of the Romantics, with the mercurial joy of Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, a glimpse of tragedy from Verdi’s La Traviata, and the exquisite tenderness of Dvořák’s rarely-performed Romance. For his only piano concerto, Schumann rewrote the rule book, bringing orchestra and soloist into a profound dialogue inspired by chamber music. To perform the concerto with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, is Russian pianist Konstantin Shamray, winner of the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia.

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

INFORMATION

Sun 4 March 2.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) VERDI La Traviata: Act III Overture R. SCHUMANN Piano Concerto DVOŘÁK Romance for violin & orchestra MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.4 Italian Konstantin Shamray piano Markiyan Melnychenko violin Michael Dahlenburg conductor William Hennessy director Mebourne Chamber Orchestra

Premium $130 ($120 conc) A reserve $109 ($97 conc) B reserve $87 ($76 conc) C reserve $64 ($53 conc) Under 40s $40 Presented by Melbourne Chamber Orchestra

Free Music

Melbourne Recital Centre opens the doors of its intimate Salon one Monday a month from March to December for a free open rehearsal featuring the very best of Melbourne’s chamber musicians.

Selected Mondays at midday in the Salon

It’s an open door policy for anyone to come in and discover something new or hear local artists rehearse new works, new programs and try out new ideas. While it’s not a concert, it’s a way for you to gain an insight into the secret workings of our finest ensembles and performers a rare treat to witness firsthand the creation of a new program. INFORMATION

Mon 5 March 12 noon Salon (One hour) FREE Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

LOCAL HEROES

EVERGREEN ENSEMBLE

AUTUMN AIRS With a passion for early and modern repertoire and an ability to seamlessly cross the genres and performance styles of folk and art-music, Evergreen Ensemble is an up-and-coming ensemble with a unique musical language. Their line-up consists of Baroque violin and oboe mixed with bassoon, small pipes and cello. Performing works of 18th-century Scotland, each piece is inspired by a different plant, flower or vegetable. Music and gardening find common ground with fascinating horticultural commentary on the leafy titles given by Simon Rickard. INFORMATION

Wed 7 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) OSWALD Selections from 96 Airs For The Seasons PURCELL Trio Sonata in G minor Evergreen Ensemble Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Two concert 2018 package $66 ($49 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Evergreen Ensemble

NINA FERRO

SONJA HORBELT

Everything It Could Be Everything It Could Be is the result of the long-time collaboration between Kennedy Snow, Melbourne drummer and composer Sonja Horbelt, and acclaimed soul and jazz vocalist Nina Ferro — who has returned to Australia after a decade in London. This current body of songs sees the quintet project expand to encompass all the lushness and beauty of more textural ballad arrangements featuring a string quartet, but also stretch out to encompass a broad range of styles from jazz to neo-soul and R&B. INFORMATION

Fri 9 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Nina Ferro vocals Janine Maunder backing vocals Kellie Santin saxophones Kim May bass

Steve Sedergreen keyboard Bob Sedergreen piano Sonja Horbelt drums Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Kennedy Snow

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‘PERFUME GENIUS SASHAYS AND SLAYS.’ -BILLBOARD

Perfume Genius Pop provocateur Perfume Genius has evolved into a formidable force of summoning songs that are deeply vulnerable and achingly confessional. His pop smarts and sonic innovation is a primal scream that empowers and enthrals. Stretching the outmost corners of the human psyche, his soft, tender balladry turns hauntingly dark. Often exploring subjects such as sexuality, homophobia and domestic abuse, singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius, draws on influences from PJ Harvey and Liz Phair, combining poetic honesty with brutally contrasting sounds. Dubbed as ‘pure decadence’ (Pitchfork) Pefume Genius’ newest album No Shape is his most realised yet, a tender transcendental protest record of love and devotion. INFORMATION

Fri 9 March 8pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Perfume Genius (U.S.A.) with support Tickets $59 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Mistletone

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

PLIRI NTAXEI (GREECE)

CHRYSOULA K & PURPURA (GREECE)

2018 Rebetiko Festival A music festival of exile, redemption and love.

In a takeover of Melbourne Recital Centre, Rebetiko Festival brings the music of ‘Rebetiko’ to Melbourne. It’s a celebration of the traditions found in cultures, born out of Asia Minor and Greece which fuses the flavours of Greek rebetiko (blues), early jazz and music drawn from Byzantine, Turkish, Roma, Armenian and Jewish traditions. Featuring a mix of international and local artists come and experience a range of performances. Featuring the following artists Chrysoula K & Purpura (Greece), Pliri Ntaxei (Greece) and local artists Rebetiki, Zarouna, Melbourne Rebetiko Ensemble, The Philhellenes with Mairead Hannan, Adrian Close and Wayne Simmons, Melbourne Bouzouki Orchestra with Dean Georgalas, Manasis School of Greek and Dance Culture and more!

INFORMATION

Sat 10 March from 3pm Festival Pass $69 ($55 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Con Kalamaras and Kape Communications Supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program, The Greek Centre, Victorian Multicultural Commission & Neos Kosmos

SOUTHBANK SERIES

Romance & Revolution

Hailed as ‘world class’ and ‘the most exciting young quartet on the block’ (Limelight), Orava Quartet presents a night of best-loved Russian works, featured on their debut album for Universal Music Australia. Tchaikovsky’s glorious first string quartet features the Andante Cantabile said to have moved Leo Tolstoy to tears. Featuring Shostakovich’s emotional String Quartet No.8, which remains a timely reminder of the tragedy and human cost of war, Haydn’s humorous work from his ‘Russian’ quartets and the heart wrenching romance of Rachmaninoff. Joined by special guest, Australian soprano Greta Bradman — this program brings to life classic works with Orava Quartet’s signature energy and passion. INFORMATION

Tue 13 March, 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (One hour & 45 mins incl. interval) HAYDN String Quartet, Op.33, No.2, The Joke RACHMANINOFF String Quartet No.1 SHOSTAKOVICH String Quartet in C minor, No.8, Op.110 RACHMANINOFF Vocalise TCHAIKOVSKY String Quartet in D, No.1, Op.11

Orava Quartet Greta Bradman soprano Tickets $50 ($40 concession) Two concert 2018 package $85 ($68 concession) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Orava Quartet

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Tinariwen Mali’s Tinariwen ensemble mix Western African styles, feverish group workouts and world-weary lyrics into an electrifying and hypnotic sound, classed as achingly beautiful desert rock. Founded in the 1980s in Tureg camps (Libya), Tinariwen’s exposure to Western music translated into original songs full of lonesome poetry and aching beauty, reaching Western audiences for the first time in the 2000s. Having collaborated with Kurt Vile, Mark Lanegan (Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees), Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio) and Wilco’s Nels Cline, their sound has broadened to expand into American folk forms while remaining true to their ‘desert blues’ sound. Now these world soldiers make their way to Elisabeth Murdoch Hall for a Melbourne sideshow to their 2018 WOMADelaide appearance. INFORMATION

Wed 14 March 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Tinariwen (Mali) with support A reserve $79 B reserve $69 C reserve $65 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Top Shelf

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

‘IF YOU THOUGHT JOSH HOMME WAS THE BADDEST MOTHERF*CKER TO EVER STRIDE OUT OF A DESERT, YOU HAVEN’T MET TINARIWEN.’ – NME

The Debussy Project

MASSIMO SCATTOLIN & DOMENICO NORDIO

In the House of Rossini Niccolò Paganini met Mauro Giuliani in Rome in 1818 at Gioachino Rossini’s house and, once again in Rome, the three musicians established so-called ‘musical triumvirate’. The chronicles of the time recount the virtuosic competitions between Paganini and Giuliani, especially aimed at impressing the ladies of Roman high society. The program of this concert is based on that kind of virtuosity, typical of that historical period. The compositions by Paganini are so Italian, while the one by Giuliani is a bit more Central European, because of his long stay in Vienna. INFORMATION

Wed 14 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) PAGANINI Sonata No.1 from Centone di Sonate for violin & guitar PAGANINI Cantabile Op.17 for violin & guitar PAGANINI Sonata Concertata GIULIANI Grand Duo Concertant for guitar & violin, Op.85 Domenico Nordio violin Massimo Scattolin guitar Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre in association with Italian Institute of Culture Melbourne

Melbourne Art Song Collective (MASC) presents a concert that celebrates the music of Claude Debussy. MASC has also commissioned new songs from four Australian composers in response to Debussy’s piano preludes. The texts are taken from the work of Cassie Lewis’s recently published collection, ‘The Blue Decodes.’ Cassie is a Melbourne-born poet, currently resident in New York. The four composers whose new works will be featured are Matan Franco, Lisa Illean, Jack Symonds and Charlie Sdraulig. INFORMATION

Thu 15 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring selections from DEBUSSY’s Preludes Book I and works by MATAN FRANCO, LISA ILLEAN, JACK SYMONDS and CHARLIE SDRAULIG.

Melbourne Art Song Collective Lotte Betts-Dean voice Eidit Golder piano Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Melbourne Art Song Collective

A FAIR WIND Comprised of instrumentalists Cameron Hibbs, Matthew Horsley and Allan Evans, Trioc’s program draws on material recorded from their debut album A Fair Wind, exploring the breadth of traditional Irish repertoire from the ancient to the modern, from haunting slow airs to energetic reels. This is a rare opportunity to hear the unique combination of uilleann pipes, fiddle, harp and flute in an intimate acoustic performance marking the eve of St Patrick’s Day.

TRIOC

INFORMATION

Fri 16 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring a selection of traditional Irish tunes.

Trioc Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Trioc

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The Beautiful Blue Danube ‘A LOVE OF PIANO PLAYING EVIDENT FROM THE VERY FIRST NOTES.’ THE ADVERTISER

Written at the end of the 18th century, the opening of Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ Sonata continues to impress today for its dramatic power. Twenty years later, the ailing Schubert would complete his own Sonata in C minor. Only months away from his death, this work remains one of his crowning achievements. Johann Strauss’ famous Blue Danube Waltz provides the dashing conclusion to this Viennese-inspired program with pianist Hoang Pham. INFORMATION

Sat 17 March 5pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) BEETHOVEN Polonaise in C, Op.89 BEETHOVEN Sonata in C minor, Op.13 Pathétique BEETHOVEN Selections from Six Bagatelles, Op.126 SCHUBERT Sonata in C minor, D.958 STRAUSS/SCHULZ-EVLER Concert Arabesques on The Beautiful Blue Danube Hoang Pham piano Premium $59 ($54 conc) A reserve $49 ($44 conc) B reserve $39 ($34 conc) Presented by Hoang Pham Productions

HOANG PHAM

LOCAL HEROES

Nadia’s Influence: Works by students of Nadia Boulanger Inventi Ensemble are masters of classical repertoire, re-inventors of past works, and performers of the new. This dynamic new chamber ensemble run by artistic directors Ben Opie (oboe) and Melissa Doecke (flute), collaborates with Australia’s finest soloists and chamber musicians. Focusing on composers who have learnt from Nadia Boulanger, this concert showcases the expansive diversity of her teachings, from Elliot Carter and Piazzolla to Bacharach. INFORMATION

INVENTI ENSEMBLE

Mon 19 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) BOULANGER Nocturne for flute & piano CARTER Inner Song for oboe MUSGRAVE Narcissus for solo flute & digital delay PIAZZOLLA Tango Etudes for solo flute

BERKELEY Sonatina for oboe & piano BACHARACH (arr. Inventi Ensemble) Alfie Inventi Ensemble Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Three concert 2018 package $99 ($72 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Inventi Ensemble

SOUTHBANK SERIES

The Voices of Women

Ludovico’s Band is one of Australia’s most dynamic Baroque bands acclaimed for its performances of music from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The combination of a multitude of plucked strings with a rich bowed bass creates a unique and exotic sound world. Creativity against the odds and seizing the moment — that is what it was all about in 1620s Tuscany. Female leaders needed female composers to create the soundtrack that would justify their exceptional power. This performance celebrates the feats by women in music featuring a selection of songs by Strozzi, Leonarda and Caccini. From the first opera written by a woman, Francesca Caccini, to the overwhelming printed creative output by Italian composer Barbara Strozzi and Isabella Leonarda, one of the most prolific convent composers of the Baroque era. INFORMATION

LUDOVICO’S BAND

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

Tue 20 March 6.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (One hour no interval) Selection of songs by STROZZI, LEONARDA and CACCINI. Ludovico’s Band

Helen Thomson soprano Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Three concert 2018 package $99 ($72 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Ludovico’s Band

LOCAL HEROES

Midnight in Moscow

A sleigh ride through the night. Is that a wolf we hear howling in the distance? The driver urges on our little pony and we arrive at an inn on the outskirts of Moscow where steaming dumplings are served with bowls of sour cream and glasses of vodka. The band, three glamorous and strangely familiar gypsy girls, plays a curious mixture of folk melodies and Scriabin, Yiddish songs and Mussorgsky, riotous dances and Leonard Cohen. The Stiletto Sisters have been wooing audiences for the past 12 years with their seductive blend of Hungarian gypsy, tango and love songs from around the world. Hungarian trained violinist Hope Csutoros, piano accordionist Judy Gunson and double bassist Jo To perform with extraordinary emotional range and intensity with more than a touch of humour. INFORMATION

STILETTO SISTERS

Wed 21 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring Yiddish and Russian songs and instrumental music by SCRIABIN, MUSSORGSKY, SCHNITTKE and JOHN ZORN

Stiletto Sisters Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Two concert 2018 package $66 ($49 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Stiletto Sisters

READ

UNPACKING ELLA THOMPSON’S LATEST COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE WORK ‘LIKE RUNNING WATER’ LISTEN

THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL WOMEN’S CHOIR PODCAST WATCH

DANIIL TRIFONOV PLAYS STRAVINSKY’S ‘PETRUSHKA’

Discover the stories behind the music, the musicians and people that make Melbourne Recital Centre the best place to hear. Whether you’re a seasoned classical music-lover, or discovering something new for the first time, explore a range of videos, podcasts, interviews, playlists, articles, photos and more at soundescapes.melbournerecital.com.au.

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#MelbRecital

GREAT PERFORMERS

Measha Brueggergosman ‘Measha Brueggergosman makes her Melbourne Recital Centre debut with well-loved vocal masterpieces and spirited new works. She’s equally at home in opera, pop and jazz, and has recently released an album of African-American spirituals, songs that lie close to the musical roots of child growing up in New Brunswick, Canada’. — Marshall McGuire, Director of Artistic Planning

Soprano Measha Brueggergrosman hasn’t followed the traditional career path of an opera star, pursuing a stellar stage career while multitasking as a recitalist, recording artist and author. Her musical interests are just as diverse: show-tunes, lieder, new music and mainstays of the operatic stage. She’s also a vocal champion of Canadian literature and music education. Her voice is as versatile, voluptuous and expansive as her repertoire, which ranges here from the shimmering orientalist fantasy of Ravel’s portrait the legendary storyteller, Montsalvatge’s sultry songs to the sly cabaret numbers of William Bolcolm and Francis Poulenc. Measha is joined by Australia’s Ian Munro, the ideally simpatico collaborator for this evening of classical razzle-dazzle. INFORMATION

Wed 21 March 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) Free pre-concert talk 6.45pm RAVEL Shéhérazade RAVEL Cinq mélodies populaires grecques MONTSALVTGE Cinco canciones negras And songs by BOLCOM, POULENC and MAHLER. Measha Brueggergosman soprano (Canada) Ian Munro piano Premium $115 A reserve $102 ($55 conc) B reserve $87 ($55 conc) C reserve $62 ($55 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre Series Partner: Legal Friends of Melbourne Recital Centre Program Partner: The Langham Melbourne

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

AUSTRALIAN ROMANTIC & CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA

SIR ANDREW DAVIS

Pastoral Melodies – Idyllic & Tempestuous Let’s Talk Proms! The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra performs works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Beethoven. Under the Artistic Direction of Richard Gill AO, the orchestra brings to life the colours and contrasts of Classical music together with the expression and emotion of Romantic music on exquisite and dynamic period instruments. Together with Melbournebased chamber choir Polyphonic Voices and Australia’s world-class Romantic and Classical orchestra, rediscover the Pastoral Melodies of these eighteenth and nineteenth century master composers.

Meet the stars of this year’s MSO Proms series, and take the chance to engage with them as they reflect on their careers, talk about their creative lives, and outline the programs you can hear during the week’s musical extravaganza that is ‘The Proms’! Hosted by Marshall McGuire and Ronald Vermeulen.

INFORMATION

Thu 22 March 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) MENDELSSOHN Hebrides Overture, Op.26, Fingal’s Cave BRAHMS Five Songs, Op.104 MOZART Spaur Messe in C, K.258, Piccolomini

BEETHOVEN Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68, Pastoral Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra Premium $95 A reserve $75 ($65 conc) Presented by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

Fri 23 March 11am Salon (One hour no interval) Sir Andrew Davis MSO Chief Conductor Measha Brueggergosman guest speaker Joe Chindamo guest speaker Tasmin Little guest speaker Tickets $10 Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Tony Gould & Ben Robertson Duo Pianist Tony Gould and Ben Robertson (double bass) are regarded as two of Australia’s greatest musicians, noted especially for their remarkable ability to improvise and create the most exquisite spontaneous creations. Tony and Ben improvise on the classical, jazz and traditional folk music and new works which they will premiere. INFORMATION

TONY GOULD

BEN ROBERTSON

Fri 23 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Tony Gould piano Ben Robertson double bass Tickets $45 ($30 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Tony Gould

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SOUTHBANK SERIES

GOLDNER STRING QUARTET

Faith, Hope & Death The Goldner String Quartet has widespread and long-standing recognition for excellence, as not only Australia’s pre-eminent string quartet, but as an ensemble of international significance. Beginning with the music of Arvo Pärt which leans towards the somewhat spiritual, mystical and meditative chant-based music, this program travels through themes of faith, hope and death. With Vasks captivating third quartet, based on traditional Christmas carols, providing some hope for the world, in contrast, Schubert’s sinister and somewhat demonic Death and the Maiden quartet is full of drama and a close flirtation with death — a program to stimulate the senses and leave you wanting more.

INFORMATION

Fri 23 March 7pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (One hour & 40-mins incl. interval) PÄRT Fratres VASKS String Quartet No.3 SCHUBERT String Quartet No.14 in D-minor, Death and the Maiden Goldner String Quartet Tickets $50 ($40 conc) Three concert 2018 package $128 ($102 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre

SPOTLIGHT SERIES

YIYUN GU

East Meets West

Melbourne Youth Orchestras: Petrushka Since 1967, Melbourne Youth Orchestras (MYO) has been enriching young lives through the power of music. They continue to grow their reputation for excellence, inspiring young people to reach their potential, unleashing creativity and instilling a love of music which motivates life-long learning and participation. This performance features Beethoven’s Concerto for violin, cello and piano in C with special guests Streeton Trio and Stravinsky’s ground-breaking Petrushka. INFORMATION

Sun 25 March 2.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (90-mins incl. interval) BEETHOVEN Concerto for violin, cello & piano in C, Op.56 STRAVINSKY Petrushka

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

Streeton Trio Paul Fitzsimon guest conductor Melbourne Youth Orchestra Tickets $29 ($22 conc) Presented by Melbourne Youth Orchestras

Bringing together the music of East and West, pianist Yiyun Gu fuses six thematic groups in a program featuring bells and moonlight, the water spring and fish to fiery tango and the sombre tones of a funeral. Explore music of the Romantic and Impressionist eras right through to contemporary Latin and Chinese music as Chinese-born Australian pianist Yiyun Gu performs Tan Dun, Gao Ping, Mo Fan, Debussy, Liszt and Piazzolla. INFORMATION

Mon 26 March 6pm Salon (One hour no interval) Featuring works by TAN, GAO, MO, DEBUSSY, LISZT & PIAZZOLLA Yiyun Gu piano Tickets $39 ($29 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Yiyun Gu Supported by The Robert Salzer Foundation

CANNED HEAT Blues ‘n’ boogie, boogie ‘n’ blues, no matter which way you phrase it only one name rises to the top: Canned Heat. Some say they invented the genre that made them a global phenomenon some 40 plus years ago. Now gracing the stage of Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, this legendary act brings their unique blend of roadhouse electric blues, rock and boogie to Melbourne. Securing their niche in the pages of rock ‘n’ roll history with performances alongside Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Who at Monterey Pop Festival (1967) and the original Woodstock Festival in ’69, their legacy has influenced many aspiring guitarists and bands throughout the decades. Their Top 40 tunes ‘One The Road Again’, ‘Let’s Work Together’ and ‘Going Up The Country’ quickly became rock anthems across the globe with the latter being adopted as the unofficial theme song for the film Woodstock. With an incredible 32 studio albums, 10 live albums and countless releases, collaborations with John Mayall, Little Richard and John Lee Hooker, they have truly become a one of a kind band. Anchored by the steady and leadership of founding member, drummer and band leader Adolfo ‘Fito’ de la Parra, Canned Heat is well on track to carry the boogie-blues it made famous, well into the 21st century, including this performance as the official Melbourne sideshow to Bluesfest 2018.

Karin Schaupp & Umberto Clerici

INFORMATION

Mon 26 March 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval) Canned Heat (U.S.A.) with support Tickets $75 ($65 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Bluesfest Touring

Karin Schaupp and Umberto Clerici first shared a concert stage as part of the 2015 Musica Viva Festival, where their unusual instrumental combination proved a major hit. In 2018, these superb musicians bring a program of songs from across five centuries, reimagined for guitar and cello. The program takes the audience on a journey through life, from childhood to a reflection on death and all that comes in between: love, jealousy, family, illness, battles and joy. INFORMATION

KARIN SCHAUPP

UMBERTO CLERICI

Tue 27 March 11am Morning tea served from 10am Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (One hour no interval) FALLA Jota SCHUBERT Lob der Tränen (In Praise of Tears) RAVEL Kaddish Karin Schaupp guitar Umberto Clerici cello Tickets $53 Under 30s $20 Presented by Musica Viva

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Tangents Launching their latest album New Bodies — on Brooklyn based label Temporary Residence — Sydney’s Tangents bring their thrilling hybrid style encompassing jazz, post-rock and electronic music to Melbourne. Scoring a whopping 7.8 review from Pitchfork their sound fits comfortably alongside the likes of Four Tet, The Necks, Tortoise and Can, marked as ‘a delight to behold’ by The Music. INFORMATION

TANGENTS

Wed 28 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Tangents

Tickets $30 ($20 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Top Shelf

MELBOURNE BACH CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

MYELE MANZANA, ROSS MCHENRY & MATTHEW SHEENS

The Outsiders The Outsiders, written by Ross McHenry, brings together three leading musicians, Ross McHenry (bass), Myele Manzanza (drums) and Matthew Sheens (piano) to perform an extended suite of new music that explores the idea of a collision between geography and cultural identity. It’s the telling of conflict within a world where many have equal access to information yet lack access to equal opportunity; a world where geography, as much as we deny it, still defines how our lives interact with the world around us. As a musical attempt to paint a picture of our emotional experience as we navigate the world as outsiders, this series of ambitious new works is about exploring who we are, based on the premise that no matter where we reside, we cannot deny where we are from. INFORMATION

Thu 29 March 7pm Salon (One hour no interval) Ross McHenry Trio Tickets $30 ($25 conc) Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Ross McHenry Trio

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE • MARCH

BRAHMS GERMAN REQUIEM & SZYMANOWSKI STABAT MATER Melbourne Bach Choir and Orchestra, led by founding conductor Rick Prakhoff, continue their tradition of Good Friday concerts with this imaginative program. Following the success of Opera Australia’s recent Melbourne production of King Roger, by Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, his rarely performed Stabat Mater will be paired with the much loved German Requiem by Brahms. The choir and orchestra are joined by an outstanding cast of soloists — Lorina Gore (soprano), Belinda Paterson (mezzo-soprano) and Warwick Fyfe (baritone). The six short movements of Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater invoke Polish folk elements and Renaissance contrapuntal devices, in a highly personal setting. Brahms’ choice of text for the Requiem was also individualistic, focusing on a more humanist rather than overtly Christian take on the concept of the end of life, in this moving, deeply felt and dramatic work. INFORMATION

Fri 30 March 2.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval) BRAHMS Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op.45 SZYMANOWSKI Stabat Mater, Op.53 Lorina Gore soprano Belinda Paterson mezzo-soprano Warwick Fyfe baritone Rick Prakhoff conductor

Melbourne Bach Choir and Orchestra Premium $125 ($110 conc) A reserve $110 ($95 conc) B reserve $95 ($80 conc) C reserve $70 ($55 conc) Presented by Melbourne Bach Choir

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Melbourne Recital Centre acknowledges the generous support of its business partners, philanthropic supporters and patrons.

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Prof Andrea Hull AO* Dr Garry Joslin & Prof Dimity Reed AM Liane Kemp* Sally MacIndoe Annette Maluish Norene Leslie McCormac* Dr Richard Mills AM Rosemary O’Connor* Tim Orton & Barbara Dennis Prof David Penington AC & Dr Sonay Penington Howard Penny Geoff & Jan Phillips ($500+)

Stirling Larkin, Australian Standfirst° Ann Bryce John Castles AM & Thelma Castles OAM Jim Cousins AO & Libby Cousins George & Laila Embelton Joshua Evans° Margaret Farren-Price & Prof Ronald Farren-Price AM Naomi Golvan & George Golvan QC Nance Grant AM MBE & Ian Harris The Hon Justice Michelle Gordon & The Hon Kenneth M Hayne AC QC John Howie AM & Dr Linsey Howie Peter Jopling AM QC & Dr Sam Mandeng Anthony J & Philippa M Kelly Snowe Li ° Message Consultants Australia Simon & Genevieve Moore Travis Pemberton Ralph & Ruth Renard Mrs Margaret S Ross AM & Dr Ian C Ross Rae Rothfield Prof Richard Smallwood AO & Mrs Carol Smallwood Lady Marigold Southey AC Susan Thacore

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Lady Primrose Potter AC ($1000+)

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List of patrons at 13 November 2018.

Melbourne Recital Centre by arrangement with Bluesfest Touring present

Seu Jorge 'A gently charming set that could become a cult success.' THE GUARDIAN U.K.

The Life Aquatic A TRIBUTE TO

David Bowie One of Brazil’s most celebrated singers and actors Seu Jorge celebrates David Bowie’s legendary catalogue. Best known for his role in Wes Anderson’s 2004 film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, in which Jorge reinterpreted a number of Bowie’s biggest hits performed in Portuguese, Seu pays tribute to the late musical genius with gorgeous acoustic interpretations of ‘Rebel, Rebel,’ ‘Life on Mars,’ ‘Starman,’ and more.

Wed 28 & Thu 29 March • Elisabeth Murdoch Hall • Tickets from $59 Cnr Southbank Blvd & Sturt Street Southbank VICTORIA

Principal Government Partner

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