2 0 2 0 SE AS O N
OM EG A ENS EM B LE
PAUL STENDER CELLO
NO W IS NEW The music in our 2020 season represents more than 200 years of artistic experimentation, discovery, adversity and triumph. Yet no matter when the creator's pen first touched the blank manuscript, through performance these works remain entirely new. What makes chamber music one of the most powerful musical art forms is the individual, and the unmistakable imprint each musician leaves on every note played. Through performance, music sheds its history, and transforms into a work redefined by the moment in which it exists. Works of the past and works performed for the very first time become new in the now. In 2020 we celebrate our 15th concert season. While we look back on our achievements in the past, this milestone also celebrates our Ensemble in the present, as we continue to shape-shift into new musical territories, expand to new audiences (including our inaugural Melbourne and Newcastle seasons) and redefine ourselves for the future. I hope you will join us in 2020.
David Rowden Artistic Director and Founder
On behalf of the City of Sydney, I am delighted to welcome you to Omega Ensemble’s 15th Anniversary concert season. Over the past fifteen years, Omega Ensemble’s world class performers have thrilled audiences with diverse and exciting programming. I commend Omega Ensemble’s significant contribution to Sydney’s live music scene since the group’s inception. I also appreciate Omega Ensemble’s efforts to showcase some of the most talented musicians from Sydney and around Australia to Sydney audiences. Professional music groups like Omega Ensemble are vital to the cultural life of our city, and it’s wonderful they are still going strong after fifteen years. I look forward to hearing more about the group’s achievements in the future. I hope you have a wonderful experience at Omega Ensemble’s 15th Anniversary concert season.
Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney
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Music is a language we can all understand. It brings us together. It unites us across barriers of language, geography and time. It’s able to help us free our imaginations, elevate our moods and evoke a world of memories like no other art form can. The sweep of a symphony orchestra, the special intimacy of chamber music, and the connection of the musicians to each other reaches out to us, the audience. The NSW Government’s vision is for NSW to be known for bold and exciting arts and culture that engages the community, and reflects our rich diversity. Omega Ensemble contributes to the vitality of the State, and this concert season is proof of the power of music in enriching our lives. Don Harwin MLC Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Minister for Resources Minister for Energy and Utilities Minister for the Arts Vice President of the Executive Council
B A RT OK I N C O N T RA ST PAGE 7
F O U R S E A SO NS RE C O M PO SE D PAGE 8
C H O P I N , KE RRY A N D C LA RA PAGE 1 0
MUSICA EX M A C H I NA PAGE 12
H A R P F A N TA I SI E PAGE 1 4
NIGHT S E RE N AD E S PAGE 16
RU S S IA N RO M A NT I CS PAGE 19
DAVID ROWDEN CLARINET P AGE 6
MASTER SERIES
BA RT O K I N C O NTR AST ... a smörgåsbord of chamber music ... played by first-rate musicians. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
Australia’s finest string and wind players... SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE
HUNGARIAN HILLSIDES, RED RUSSIAN SQUARES AND LATE NIGHTS AT THE PARISIAN CIRCUS The mid-twentieth century saw a steep rise in popularity for the clarinet due to its impressive range of colour, emotion and agility, and a quest by composers for new musical forms and sounds. Composers no longer looked to Classical or Romantic ideals, but instead sought the directness and clarity of the immediate world in which they lived, inspired by colourful melodies and rhythms of folk songs, or the bustling sounds of the cities. MELBOURNE
Thursday 6 February | 7:00pm Primrose Potter Salon Melbourne Recital Centre
Clarinetist and Artistic Director of Omega Ensemble, David Rowden, leads an exhilarating program of works for clarinet, violin and piano, covering a full gamut of colour and emotion.
SYDNEY
PROGRAM
Saturday 8 February | 2:00pm Saturday 8 February | 6:30pm Utzon Room Sydney Opera House
Béla Bartók Contrasts for Clarinet, Violin and Piano Francis Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Aram Khachaturian Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano Dmitri Shostakovich Violin Sonata in G major
NEWCASTLE
Sunday 9 February | 6:00pm Newcastle Art Gallery
FEATURED ARTIST
David Rowden Clarinet
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VIRTUOSO SERIES
FO U R SE ASONS RECOM PO S ED ★★★★★ One of the cleverest pieces of musical postmodernism... THE AUSTRALIAN
Serret’s playing is flawless. TIMEOUT SYDNEY
A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE OF CLASSICAL REDISCOVERY Topping classical album charts in more than 22 countries, award-winning composer Max Richter's neo-classical mega-hit expertly retouches, reworks, and reimagines Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, resulting in a transformative experience that sounds entirely new, and yet satisfyingly full of familiar delights. This bold presentation is led by Australian violin powerhouse Veronique Serret, and presented alongside Bartók’s antiphonal Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and Pendercki’s haunting Sinfonietta No. 2, a work of ominous beauty and drama featuring Artistic Director and clarinetist David Rowden. SYDNEY
Thursday 19 March | 7:30pm City Recital Hall
PROGRAM
Max Richter The Four Seasons Recomposed Béla Bartók Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
MUSIC NOTES
Discover the notes behind the music. Pre-concert talks commence one hour prior to the scheduled performance time and are free for all ticket holders.
PAGE 8
Krzysztof Penderecki Sinfonietta No. 2 for Clarinet and String Orchestra FEATURED ARTISTS
Veronique Serret Violin David Rowden Clarinet Gordon Hamilton Conductor
VERONIQUE SERRET PVIOLIN AGE 9
MASTER SERIES
C HOP IN, KE RR Y AN D C L A R A ★★★★ ... filled the concert hall with an enthusiastic audience and magical sounds. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
... a pianist who could play anything. LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
A ROMANTIC CONCERTO, A WORLD PREMIERE AND A CELEBRATION OF CLARA SCHUMANN The supreme pianist-composer, Chopin was in fact not the showman performer his virtuosic music would suggest, instead preferring local salons to the grand concert halls of Paris. With Chopin at the piano, the composer's larger works, including his two piano concertos, were performed far more frequently in private with small ensembles than in public with large orchestras. Russian pianist Maria Raspopova leads a powerful performance of Chopin’s breathtaking first concerto, presented here in a beautiful arrangement for piano and string quintet that captures all the romance of the original.
MELBOURNE
Thursday 18 June | 7:00pm Primrose Potter Salon Melbourne Recital Centre SYDNEY
Saturday 20 June | 2:00pm Saturday 20 June | 6:30pm Utzon Room Sydney Opera House NEWCASTLE
Sunday 21 June | 6:00pm Newcastle Art Gallery
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This fiery work is accompanied by Clara Schumann’s emotional Piano Trio, considered by many to be her most challenging work, and the world premiere of a new Clarinet Quintet by award-winning Australian composer Gordon Kerry written for Artistic Director and Clarinetist David Rowden. PROGRAM
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (arr. for Piano and String Quintet) Gordon Kerry Clarinet Quintet [World Premiere] * Clara Schumann Piano Trio in G minor FEATURED ARTISTS
Maria Raspopova Piano David Rowden Clarinet Gordon Kerry Composer * Commissioned by Omega Ensemble and supported by Kim Williams AM
MARIA RASPOPOVA P APIANO GE 11
VIRTUOSO SERIES
M U SI C A E X M ACH INA ... as difficult as [Adams’] original chamber symphony, if not more so. LOS ANGELES TIMES
★★★★★ ... Omega Ensemble more than lives up to the hype ... THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
MODERN MASTERWORKS AT A VIRTUOSIC BPM Described as one of the most difficult works in the chamber repertoire, John Adams’ complex and thrilling Son of Chamber Symphony leads this program of works of virtuosity and colour. Accompanied by Copland’s Sextet, arranged by the composer after his complex second symphony received so few performances, this performance also includes the Australian premiere of Nico Muhly’s driving Motion, as well as Australian composer Christopher Gordon’s Freefall Symphony, commissioned and premiered by the Ensemble in 2007 and revisited here on the main stage for the first time. Together these works form one of the most demanding programs ever undertaken by Omega Ensemble and bring together the A-team of Australia's virtuosic chamber musicians. SYDNEY
Thursday 23 July | 7:30pm City Recital Hall
PROGRAM
John Adams Son of Chamber Symphony Christopher Gordon Chamber Symphony ‘Freefall’
MUSIC NOTES
Discover the notes behind the music. Pre-concert talks commence one hour prior to the scheduled performance time and are free for all ticket holders.
PAGE 12
Nico Muhly Motion [Australian Premiere] Aaron Copland Sextet FEATURED ARTISTS
Alexandra Osborne Violin Gordon Hamilton Conductor
ALEXANDRA OSBORNE P AVIOLIN GE 13
MASTER SERIES
HA RP F AN T AISIE Emily Granger delivers impressive virtuosity and eye-opening versatility. LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
Composer and pianist Sally Whitwell packs a punch! LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
FOLKSONGS, FANTASIES AND FRATRES American harpist Emily Granger joins Omega Ensemble for the first time in a sparkling program of trios for harp, violin and cello. From the French charm of Ibert’s Trio for Violin, Cello and Harp and Saint-Saëns’ Fantaisie, to the dark Russian flavours of Glinka’s Drei Russische Lieder (Three Russian Songs) and the frantic energy of Fratres by celebrated Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. This program also features a world premiere work by Aria Award-winning pianist and composer Sally Whitwell, commissioned for Emily Granger and Omega Ensemble. MELBOURNE
PROGRAM
Thursday 24 September | 7:00pm Primrose Potter Salon Melbourne Recital Centre
Jacques Ibert Trio for Violin, Cello, and Harp
SYDNEY
Saturday 26 September | 2:00pm Saturday 26 September | 6:30pm Utzon Room Sydney Opera House
Camille Saint-Saëns Fantaisie for Violin and Harp Michael Glinka Drei Russische Lieder Sally Whitwell Harp Trio [World Premiere] * Arvo Pärt Fratres FEATURED ARTISTS
Emily Granger Harp Sally Whitwell Composer
NEWCASTLE
Sunday 27 September | 6:00pm Newcastle Art Gallery
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* Commissioned by Omega Ensemble and supported by an anonymous patron.
EMILY GRANGER HARP PAG E 15
VIRTUOSO SERIES
NI G H T SE RE N A D E S ... savvy programming and superlative delivery... LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
... always a delight to watch and hear... THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
GRAND SERENADES, MELODRAMATIC SEXTETS AND MUSIC HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS Modelled after Mozart’s ‘Gran Partita’, Dvořák’s epic Serenade for Winds, Cello and Double Bass is a work of comparable impressive scale but with an expression quite unlike the original source of inspiration. This momentous work, which will bring together some of Australia's best wind players, is accompanied by Dohyani’s intense Sextet, a work of heightened lyricism and drama, sweeping melodies and rumbling textures which defies the forces for which it is written. This program also features the world premiere of a new ‘Sextet for Flute and Strings’ by Elena Kats-Chernin, written after her Flute Concerto 'Night and Now', and premiered in this performance by acclaimed flautist Sally Walker for who the original setting was written. PROGRAM SYDNEY
Thursday 29 October | 7:30pm City Recital Hall
Antonín Dvořák Serenade for Winds, Cello and Double Bass in D minor Ernő Dohnányi Sextet Elena Kats-Chernin Sextet for Flute and Strings, 'Night and Now' [World Premiere] *
MUSIC NOTES
Discover the notes behind the music. Pre-concert talks commence one hour prior to the scheduled performance time and are free for all ticket holders.
PAGE 16
FEATURED ARTIST
Sally Walker Flute
* Commissioned by Omega Ensemble and supported by The Stanley Family
SALLY WALKER P AFLUTE GE 17
CLEMENS LESKE PIANO PAGE 18
MASTER SERIES
RU SS IA N RO M A NT I C S ★★★★ ... first-class playing... a superb performance... LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
... the best chamber music outfit in town. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
A SPECTACULAR FACE-OFF BETWEEN TWO GIANTS OF RUSSIAN ROMANTICISM Closing the 2020 Season with Romantic colour and bravura, acclaimed Australian pianist Clemens Leske leads the Ensemble in a program that puts two Russian masterworks for piano and winds head-to-head.
MELBOURNE
Thursday 10 December | 7:00pm Primrose Potter Salon Melbourne Recital Centre
A rare example of Rimsky-Korsakov’s departure from orchestral writing, the attention-grabbing Quintet for Piano and Winds embodies the powerful rhythms and boastful textures of the composer's larger works jampacked into an ensemble of just five. Anton Rubinstein’s work of the same name presents itself as a strong challenger, in which the virtuosic piano writing amply reflects the composer’s recognition in his own lifetime as one of the world’s greatest pianists. These works are accompanied by selections from Rachmaninoff's dazzling Preludes. PROGRAM
SYDNEY
Saturday 12 December | 2:00pm Saturday 12 December | 6:30pm Utzon Room Sydney Opera House
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Quintet for Piano and Winds in B-flat major Anton Rubinstein Quintet for Piano and Winds in F major Sergei Rachmaninoff Preludes [Selections]
NEWCASTLE
Sunday 13 December | 6:00pm Newcastle Art Gallery
FEATURED ARTIST
Clemens Leske Piano
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SUB S C R I BE AN D S A V E
EVERY NOTE
1. BOOK ONLINE
A season subscription guarantees you to a year of inspiring performance. All the artists, all the notes and all the applause. Secure your preferred seating for all performances by booking your subscription early.
Visit omegaensemble.com.au and complete your booking online.
YOUR PICK
2. BY PHONE Subscriptions for individual concert series can be purchased by calling the venue box office directly.
Curate your own concert package when booking a combination of 3 or more concerts. Please note, some restrictions apply for concerts presented at different venues. See website for full details.
City Recital Hall 02 8256 2222
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Booking a ticket package can save you up to 25% on tickets. Subscriptions start from just $117 for 3 concerts and are available for Full and Concession prices.
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Subscribe to any 3 or 4 concert season package before 12 December 2019 and save 30% on tickets.
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Sydney Opera House 02 9250 7777 Melbourne Recital Centre 03 9699 3333
3. MAIL FORM Download a subscription form omegaensemble.com.au and return to: Omega Ensemble Subscriptions PO Box 525 Surry Hills NSW 2010
T I CK E T S
SYDNEY SINGLE TICKETS
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$99.00
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Concession
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Student / U.30s
$29.00
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Book 4 Concerts & Save 25%
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Book 4 Concerts & Save 25% Book 3 Concerts & Save 20%
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$144.00
Concession
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Book 4 Concerts & Save 25% Book 3 Concerts & Save 20%
GENERAL ADMISSION
Adult / Full
$180.00
Concession
$165.00
Adult / Full
$144.00
Concession
$132.00
Concession / Under 30s / Students: To be eligible to purchase discounted tickets you must be the holder of a relevant concession card, full-time student identification or proof of age card. You may be required to present the proof of eligibility when booking and/or collecting tickets. Booking and Transaction Fees: Additional booking, transaction and credit card fees may apply when booking through venues or ticketing agents, including online and in person at the Box Office. Prices published in this program are exclusive of any additional fees or surcharges. Refunds and Exchanges: Refund and exchange policies are set by each venue. In general, refunds are not possible, however exchanges between performances at the same venue are permitted. Please contact the venue box office directly for more information. PAGE 21
ALEX HENERY DOUBLE P A G E 2 2BASS
V EN U E S
CITY RECITAL HALL
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE PRIMROSE POTTER SALON
Premium A-Reserve B-Reserve C-Reserve General Admission
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY
UTZON ROOM
Premium Unreserved General Admission (GA)
General Admission
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UTZON ROOM PREMIUM UNRESERVED
Wheelchair access and accessible facilities are available at all venues. Hearing enhancement systems may be available at selected venues. Please inform the venue box office of your individual needs when purchasing tickets.
Premium seating at Utzon Room performances guarantees seating in the first two rows. Please note, the capacity and configuration of these rows may vary between concerts. Your ticket admits you to the premium section, but individual seating is unreserved. Please arrive early to secure your preferred seating.
GENERAL ADMISSION
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SEATING MAPS
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ARRIVING LATE
If you are running late to a performance you will be permitted to enter at an appropriate gap in the performance. See the usher or venue staff on arrival for assistance. CAN I SUBSCRIBE AND SIT WITH FRIENDS
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ENCORE
The work doesn't stop when the music does. With in-school education programs, community outreach, performance masterclasses, and participation in academic research, your support helps us achieve real impact both on and off the stage. NEW AUDIENCES
The concerts of the future will be attended by the youth of today. Your support helps introduce young people and their families to an enriching concert experience, inspiring new musical generations and cultivating the audience of tomorrow.
T O GE T HER W E C AN HIT THE H IG H NO TES FUTURE CLASSICS
In 15 years, we've proudly commissioned and premiered over 40 new compositions, working with Australian and international composers. Your support ensures we continue to work with some of the most impressive creative minds today. HOME-GROWN EXCELLENCE
Presenting exceptional Australian talent is at the heart of what we do. Your support helps us scout the country (and the world!) to find some of our country's most impressive home-grown talent, and bring them together to perform on home soil. PAGE 24
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Brilliante $20,000+ Mr Robert Albert AO & Elizabeth Albert, Mr Kim Williams AM, The Paradise Family Foundation, Anonymous (1) Maestoso $10,000+ Wayne Burns and Kean Onn See, The Late Hon. Jane Mathews AO, John and Libby Snowdon, Mr Geoffrey White OAM & Ms Sally White, Mr Cameron Williams, Anonymous (1) Maestri $5,000+ Mr Bernard Coles SC, Mrs WG Keighley - In memory of Keighley Quist, Chris, Ingrid and Daniel Latham, Ms Alida Stanley and Mr Harley Wright Virtuosi $1,000+ Ms Amanda Armstrong in memory of Steven Alward, Joan and Ross Berglund, Mr David Cervi & Ms Liz Strasser, Mr David Emanuel, Mr Stuart Glenn, Goodridge Foundation, Grant Family Charitable Trust, Julie Hamblin and Martin Krygier, Mr & Mrs Diccon and Elizabeth Loxton, Robert McDougall, Paul O'Donnell, James, Hmelnitsky and Kate O’Rourke, The Hon. George Palmer AM QC, John Hamilton and Wendy Robinson, Ms, Stephanie Smee and Mr Paul Schoff, Ron and Judy Solomon, Mr & Mrs Tom and Dalia Stanley, Dr Anna Story, Dr Jenepher Thomas, Mark Wakely in memory of Steven Alward, Anonymous (2) Encore $500+ Emeritus Professor Christine Alexander, Mr Andrew Andersons, Mr & Mrs Gary and Joanna Barnes, Lea Bouganim, Michael Bray, Mr & Mrs Roberto and Ofelia Brozky, Mr & Mrs Alan and, Phillippa Clark, Ms Julia Fung, Norman Gillespie, Sian Graham, Mr & Mrs Richard & Alison Morgan, Dr and Mrs John Negrine, Mr & Mrs Robert and Tessa Phillips, Poignand Consulting, Petrina Slaytor, Hugh Lamberton and Katrina Strickland, Mr & Mrs Bruce and Mary Anne Terry, Tony and Doffy White, Anonymous (3) Da Capo $250+ Kate Abrahams, Charles and Anne Edmondson, Ms Penelope Evans, Stephanie Halliday, Jenny and Jeff, Herbert-Smith, Randell Heyman, He Crane Liu, Lisa-Marie Murphy and Nick Fletcher, Natasha Nankivell, Timothy & Eva Pascoe, Anonymous (2)
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TH AN K Y O U
PARTNERS
CREDITS
Education Partners
Hotel Partner
Board Wayne Burns (Chair), David Cervi, Stuart Glenn, Alida Stanley, David Rowden Artistic Director David Rowden General Manager David Boyce Ambassador Gerard Willems AM Chairman’s Council Ms Karen O’Flynn, Dr Neville Rowden, Mr Shane Simpson AM, Mrs Mary Anne Terry, Robert Titterton
Development Partner
Champagne Partner
Artistic Director's Circle Mr Mark Wakely, Dr Jane Rowden, Mrs W.G.Keighley 2020 Photography: Keith Saunders Brochure Design: viqtor.com.au
Score Services Partner
Print Partner
Omega Ensemble is a not-for-profit company registered in NSW. PO Box 525 Surry Hills NSW 2010 1300 670 050 contact@omegaensemble.com.au
Supporters
Omega Ensemble ACN 120 304 725 is listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under Subdivision 30-B of Part 2-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth). Details published in this publication, including dates, prices, artist and venue information are correct at the time of publishing. Omega Ensemble reserves the right to vary, substitute or withdraw advertised programs, artists and seating arrangements and to vary prices. The publisher does not take responsibility for any changes to fees, booking details or other changes made by ticketing agents or performance venues after the time of publication.
BECOME A PARTNER
Find out how you can support Omega Ensemble. Contact us at support@omegaensemble.com.au for more information on partner and sponsorship opportunities.
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Refunds are not permitted under any circumstances except as specified in the Entertainment Code of Practice. For up to date performance and artist details, please visit omegaensemble.com.au.
CELIA CRAIG OBOE
CE L E BR A T I N G 15 Y E A RS
OMEGAENSEMBLE.COM.AU 1300 670 050 PO BOX 525, SURRY HILLS NSW 2010