A Message from our Patron
Welcome to our Silver Jubilee Season! I am thrilled to invite you to join Southern Cross Soloists for our 25th Anniversary (Season). 2020 promises to be a year-long celebration, dedicated to the exquisite chamber music, fond memories and wonderful friends – both old and new – that we have made along the way.
It is an honour to be Patron of one of Australia’s oldest and most-loved chamber music ensembles, the Southern Cross Soloists. Twenty-five years is a major milestone for an ensemble, as it is for any organisation. I see this quarter-century milestone as not only a chance to celebrate, but also an opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey taken to reach it. Over the many years I have been attending Southern Cross Soloists events, I have always felt a sense of awe at their ability to reimagine classical music in a way that transports the listener to another place and time. The commitment of the core musicians to their craft shows in their ability to continually deliver soul-stirring, invigorating concerts to their appreciative audiences. As the Southern Cross Soloists enter their Silver Jubilee year, having withstood the test of time, they have reached their full maturity as an internationally renowned chamber music ensemble. I look forward to sharing in this next sophisticated chapter with them, and I welcome you to celebrate with me during their 2020 Concert Season. THE HONOURABLE DAME QUENTIN BRYCE AD CVO Patron of Southern Cross Soloists 2
Southern Cross Soloists’ journey began 25 years ago as a group of friends coming together to play chamber music and promote the genre in a unique format. The ensemble has grown and developed over the years, and now sits at the forefront of the Australian classical music industry. We plan to celebrate this incredible milestone with you, our wonderful supporters, as we present memorable and magical performances throughout the year. Our 25th anniversary celebration will explore a theme that is close to the heart of Southern Cross Soloists: our friends. Over the last 25 years we have collaborated with so many incredible and inspiring artists, who have since become our dearest friends, and we are honoured to have many of them joining us for our 2020 concert season. I am delighted that Miroslav Petkov will return to perform with us again, after his electrifying Australian debut in 2018. As the Principal Trumpet of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, we can definitely expect some dazzling virtuosity from Miroslav in February. Our July concert will be a pinnacle of celebrations, as we commemorate Southern Cross Soloists’ quarter-century milestone alongside the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time.
Someone who needs no introduction – one of our closest friends from the early days of Southern Cross Soloists – is superb guitar soloist, Slava Grigoryan. I’m very excited that he is able to join us for a sublime program of guitar masterworks in October, including the iconic Rodrigo guitar concerto; it is sure to melt hearts. We also welcome an outstanding lineup of Associate Artists in 2020, who will be performing with us throughout the season. So join us in 2020 as we celebrate this momentous achievement – 25 outstanding years of music-making! We look forward to performing for you this year, and the next 25 years to come! TANIA FRAZER Artistic Director
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The Trumpet Unleashed with Miroslav Petkov After a sell-out performance in 2018, Southern Cross Soloists are delighted to welcome back Miroslav Petkov, Principal Trumpet of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to kick off our 25th year. Unleashing a potent mix of virtuosity and supreme artistry, this concert features Maurice Andre’s iconic arrangement of Vivaldi’s Trumpet Concerto, Rachmaninov’s stunning Romances arranged for trumpet solo and Stravinsky’s ballet masterpiece Petrushka, featuring the heroic trumpet in one of the instrument’s most challenging works of all time. Finishing with the quintessential La Virgen de la Macarena by legendary Mexican trumpet virtuoso, Rafael Mendez, this concert is a rare chance to hear one of the most exciting trumpet soloists in the world today.
VIVALDI
Trumpet Concerto in A flat Major, RV 20
JABRA LATHAM
Solo for Clarinet
DOBRINKA TABAKOVA Frozen River Flows RACHMANINOV
Romances – selections
STRAVINSKY
Petrushka
RAFAEL MÉNDEZ
La Virgen de La Macarena
WHEN Sunday, 23 February 2020 at 3pm WHERE Concert Hall, Reverse Mode, QPAC DURATION 90 minutes (no interval)
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In the Footsteps of Giants Join Southern Cross Soloists for a special performance to commemorate our silver jubilee anniversary. Southern Cross Soloists celebrates in style with a program of masterworks by composers renowned for their bold risks, brazen originality, and unusual sounds and textures. These musical mavericks pushed boundaries like never before, leaving their distinctive mark on all those who followed. From Berlioz’s quirky viola showpiece (possibly composed during an opium haze), to Bruch’s evocative Kol Nidrei and Debussy’s risqué Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, this program shares some of our favourite works and highlights the outstanding virtuosity of the Southern Cross Soloists.
MOZART
Oboe Quartet in F KV370
BERLIOZ
Harold in Italy: Harold in the Mountains Op. 16
BRUCH
Kol Nidrei, Op. 47
NICHIFOR
Two Dances for solo clarinet
DEBUSSY
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
GERSHWIN
Rhapsody in Blue
WHEN Sunday, 19 July 2020 at 3pm WHERE Concert Hall, Reverse Mode, QPAC DURATION 90 minutes (no interval)
The concert concludes with a piece that has become a signature work for Southern Cross soloists, Gershwin’s daring and fearless hybrid piano concerto, Rhapsody in Blue. We continue the festivities after the performance with a special toast in QPAC’s Concert Hall foyer to celebrate 25 years of exquisite music-making.
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Souvenirs de Aranjuez with Slava Grigoryan
ARIA Award-winning virtuoso guitarist and longtime friend of the Southern Cross Soloists, Slava Grigoryan headlines our final concert of 2020. Celebrating a quarter-century of chamber music with a program of Spanish and French masterworks, we traverse through European musical history, moving from the sizzling guitar works of the Spanish Baroque to the evocative masterpieces of Belle Époque greats, Debussy and Ravel. This exotic program briefly visits Australian shores with the world premiere of a new work by Sydney composer Natalie Nicholas before culminating with the sultry, intoxicating beauty of Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.
VARIOUS
The Spanish Baroque – works by De Ribayaz, De Murcia and Matteis
DEBUSSY
Préludes (selections)
NATALIE NICHOLAS
‘Their Secrets’ World Premiere
RAVEL
Piano Concerto in G major
RODRIGO
Concierto de Aranjuez
WHEN Sunday, 18 October 2020 at 3pm WHERE Concert Hall, Reverse Mode, QPAC DURATION 90 minutes (no interval)
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Cof fee Conversations Enjoy aromatic coffee and fascinating conversation at Brisbane’s favourite book nook, Avid Reader West End, with the 2020 SXS Coffee Conversations Series. This intimate event featuring music, interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of our 25th anniversary guest virtuosos, composers, and Southern Cross Soloists is the perfect Friday pre-dinner event. Friday, February 21: In Conversation with international trumpet soloist, Miroslav Petkov Friday, July 17:
Meet The Soloists: SXS turns 25
Friday, October 16:
In Conversation with Slava Grigoryan, award-winning classical guitar soloist
From 5.30–6.15pm at Avid Reader, 193 Boundary St, West End, Qld, 4101 BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS avidreader.com.au
(07) 3846 3422
books@avidreader.com.au
SXS Next Gen Artists Program February 21
In Conversation with international trumpet soloist, Miroslav Petkov
July 17
Meet The Soloists: Southern Cross Solists turns 25
October 16
In Conversation with Slava Grigoryan, award winning classical guitar soloist
The SXS Next Gen Artists program offers outstanding mentorship, professional development, and performance opportunities to exceptional young Queensland musicians on the cusp of their professional careers. The recipients of the program are provided with opportunities to perform professionally alongside leading Australian and international performers, while receiving valuable mentoring.
W HEN 21 February, 17 July and 16 October 2020 at 5:30pm W HER E Avid Reader Books, 193 Boundary Street, West End, QLD 4101 DUR AT I ON 45 minutes
Bangalow Music Festival 2020 W HEN 13–16 August 2020 W HERE A & I Hall, Station St, Bangalow, NSW This August, we continue our 2020 theme of ‘music with friends’ at the Bangalow Music Festival. In its 19th year, the 2020 festival program will once again feature a glittering line-up of acclaimed chamber music ensembles and leading Australian and international soloists in a cornucopia of music works and genres inspired by friendships.
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Tania Frazer
Ashley Smith
Blair Harris
Alex Raineri
Artistic Director, Oboe
Clarinet
Cello
Piano
Artistic Director of Southern Cross Soloists since 2011, Tania Frazer completed her degrees at the Guildhall School of Music in London on full scholarship. Tania has performed as Principal Oboe with the Schleswig-Holstein Orchestra under Maazel, Rostropovich and Solti; the Israel Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta and Valery Gergiev; the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; the New Zealand Symphony; the Jerusalem Symphony; Stavanger Symphony in Norway; the Montreal Chamber Orchestra and was Principal Cor Anglais of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. From 2004-2008, Tania was Principal Oboe with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and performed as a soloist on their 2006 European tour. As Southern Cross Soloists’ Artistic Director, Tania has been the Musical Director of many productions including The Red Shoes and The Host with Expressions Dance Company and Invisible Me for QPAC’s 2012 Out of the Box Festival. In 2015, Tania performed as a guest soloist with the Daejeon Philharmonic in Korea.
Described as ‘Incandescent…a masterly display of skill and insight…as an apologist for contemporary music-making, you would search hard to find this young clarinettist’s equal’ (The Age), Ashley is an internationally acclaimed clarinet soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. A graduate of Yale University and the Australian National Academy of Music, Ashley is a laureate of numerous prestigious prizes including the APRA Performance of the Year (for Lachlan Skipworth’s Clarinet Concerto with the WASO), the Freedman Fellowship, an ABC Symphony International Young Performer Award, and a Churchill Fellowship. Ashley is also a Buffet-Crampon Artist. Ashley has performed throughout Australia, the USA, Europe and Asia with Bang on a Can, the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Northwest, the Kennedy Center, the Beijing Modern Music Festival, and IRCAM. Ashley is an Assistant Professor at the University of WA where he is the Head of Winds and Contemporary Performance.
Blair is a highly regarded solo cellist and chamber musician, known particularly for his strikingly individual interpretations and innovative collaborative projects. Passionate about the creation and performance of new music, Blair is a member of Ensemble Offspring, one of Australia’s leading contemporary music groups, and prior to this enjoyed many years performing with Syzygy Ensemble. His work with these award winning groups has seen the commissioning and performance of more than 60 new works by Australian composers. Blair is in no way defined by this genre and takes pleasure interpreting the works of all epochs, especially with his acclaimed duo partner, pianist Caroline Almonte. Over his career he has worked with numerous chamber music ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, Streeton Trio, Inventi Ensemble and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.
Twenty-four year old Australian pianist Alex Raineri, described by Limelight Magazine as ‘a soloist of superb skill and musicality’, is a sought-after recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. International performances include tours of California, South-East Asia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany and Austria. Alex regularly broadcasts on ABC Classic FM and the MBS Networks and has performed concertos with the Queensland, Tasmanian, Darwin and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, Four Winds Festival, Bangalow Music Festival and the Queensland Pops Orchestra. Major competitions won include the Kerikeri International Piano Competition, Australian National Piano Award, ANAM Concerto Competition, and Michael Kieran Harvey Scholarships. Chamber partnerships include performances with Andreas Ottensamer, Sara Macliver, Natalie Clein, Greta Bradman, Kathryn Stott, Slava Grigoryan, Brett Dean, Opera Queensland and Expressions Dance Company. Alex is a fellow of the Australian National Academy of Music and is presently undertaking doctorate studies at QCGU.
As a soloist, Blair has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria on numerous occasions. Blair is currently guest Principal Cello of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and is on contract with the Australian String Quartet for numerous performances throughout 2019.
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Alan Smith
Lina Andonovska
Alex Miller
Violin
Flute
French Horn
Jonathan Henderson Flute – Associate Artist
James Wannan Guest Violist Alan Smith completed postgraduate studies at the Robert Schumann Institute in Dusseldorf. He has had extensive experience as a Concertmaster, both within Australia and overseas, and has been a soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) as well as appearing in various chamber music ensembles in Australia and Europe. Alan stepped down from the position of concertmaster of the QSO at the start of 2011 to create time for broader musical opportunities. Since then, he has recorded for ABC FM, and appeared as a guest soloist with Hector McDonald at the 2011 International Horn Symposium. Alan continues to appear regularly as concertmaster and soloist with the QSO. Alan teaches part-time at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and is also a regular tutor for the Conservatorium orchestras as well as the Queensland Youth Symphony. He plays a violin made by Jose Contreras in 1770.
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Lina Andonovska leads a diverse career as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, collaborator and educator. Quickly gaining recognition internationally as a fearless and versatile artist, she has collaborated and performed with Crash Ensemble, Australian Chamber Orchestra, s t a r g a z e, Southern Cross Soloists and eighth blackbird. She is critically acclaimed for her interpretation of new music, Rolling Stone Magazine hailed her performance of Bun-Ching Lam’s piccolo concertino at the Bang On A Can Summer Festival at Mass MoCA as ‘superbly played…‘ Recent performance credits include the German premiere of Dean’s flute concerto Siduri Dances with the Deutsches Kammerorchester, recitals at the Tokyo Experimental Festival, and guest appearances with s t a r g a z e across Germany.
Alex Miller completed his Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2015, and was appointed Tutti Horn of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 2016. In May of 2018, he was appointed to trial as Associate Principal Horn of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. As a freelance artist, he has played principal and tutti horn with a number of major Australian orchestras including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Alex has also appeared as a soloist on several occasions, having performed concertos by Strauss, Mozart, Haydn, and Schumann with orchestras including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Youth Orchestra, and the Burnside Symphony Orchestra. During his studies at the Conservatorium, he played principal horn with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Queensland Youth Orchestras, and toured internationally with both ensembles.
John Rotar Composer-in-Residence
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Guest Artists
Slava Grigoryan
Bulgarian-born Miroslav Petkov’s first appearance as a trumpet soloist was at the tender age of 14 with the Varna Symphony Orchestra. Petkov held the role of Principal Trumpet of the Nationaltheater Mannheim for several years before joining the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in August 2016. He has also given guest performances as principal trumpet player with the Ensemble Modern, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and the NDR Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the classical repertoire, Miroslav enjoys playing folk music, which he flavours with jazz elements. Miroslav has won first prize in many international competitions including the Lieksa International Trumpet Competition in Finland, the International Competition Città di Porcia in Italy, the International Jeju Brass Competition in South Korea, and the Yamaha International Trumpet Contest in Germany.
Sony Classical signed Slava Grigoryan at just 17 years of age. Through Sony Classical, ABC Classics in Australia, and his own label, Which Way Music, he has released over 20 solo and collaborative albums spanning a vast range of musical genres. When Slava turned 18 years old, he began touring as a soloist and has since performed recitals in major venues all over the world as well as performing concertos with leading orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Halle, the Dresden Radio Orchestra, the Israel Symphony, and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
Miroslav Petkov
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Collaborations have played a huge part in Slava’s career, most notably with his brother Leonard, as well as commissioning new works from leading Australian composers. Outside the classical world, Slava often performs with jazz icons Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and Joseph and James Tawadros in the fusion ensemble, Band of Brothers. Slava has received 17 ARIA Award nominations, four of which he won.
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Book Your Tickets Today!
QPAC Packages qpac.com.au or 13 6 246
3 Concerts
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EMAIL Complete the form, scan and email to office@southernxsoloists.com
ONLINE QPAC bookings: qpac.com.au Bangalow Music Festival: southernxsoloists.com
POST Complete the form and post to PO Box 3679, South Brisbane, Qld, 4101
PHONE QPAC bookings: 136 246 Bangalow Music Festival: 07 3844 7260
Step 1
(save up to $21 by purchasing a package)
SELECT PACKAGE TYPE, QUANTITY & CONCERTS: QPAC
Purchase a threeconcert package and save on single ticket prices. Total for three concerts:
Purchase a two-concert package and save on single ticket prices. Total for two concerts:
ADULT $189
ADULT $130
YOUTH# $29
CONCESSION* $126
CONCESSION* $89
CHILD $29
ADULT $70 CONCESSION* $54 STUDENT** $29
SPECIAL GROUP DISCOUNTS For every eight tickets purchased in a school group, receive a complimentary ticket for an accompanying teacher. Adult groups: $62 per person
3 concerts: ___ Adult $189 ___ Concession* $126 2 concerts: ___ Adult $130 ___ Concession* $89 23 February: The Trumpet Unleashed 19 July: In the Footsteps of Giants 18 October: Souvenirs de Aranjuez
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BANGALOW MUSIC FESTIVAL 13–16 AUG EARLY BIRD – SAVE UP TO $50! (BOOK BY 31.3.20) Platinum Subscription (priority seating) $449pp General Subscription $359pp GENERAL PRICE (IF BOOKED FROM 1.4.20) Platinum Subscription (priority seating) $499pp General Subscription $399pp
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CALCULATE YOUR BOOKING: Package Total: Additional Single Tickets Total: Tax Deductible Donationt: QPAC bookings only – $7.20 Transaction Fee (or $8.20 Incl. Postage). One Fee/Transaction:
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$ ________ $ ________ $ ________
* Eligibility is limited to those holding Centrelink healthcare and pensioner concession cards. ** Full time students with valid Queensland student card. # Youth rate for under 26 & may need to provide proof of age. t Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Step 4 COMPLETE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS:
ADDITIONAL SINGLE QPAC TICKETS (OPTIONAL): Adult $70 Concession* $54
School groups: $22 per person
Student**/Child/Youth# $29
Contact QPAC Group Sales on 07 3840 7466 or email groups@qpac.com.au
23 February: The Trumpet Unleashed ____ Adult ____ Concession ____ Student/Child/Youth 19 July: In the Footsteps of Giants
A transaction fee of $7.20 ($8.20 including postage) applies to all QPAC bookings (one fee per transaction).
____ Adult ____ Concession ____ Student/Child/Youth
* Eligibility is limited to Centrelink healthcare and pensioner concession card holders.
____ Adult ____ Concession ____ Student/Child/Youth
** Full time students with a valid Queensland student card.
N.B. A transaction fee of $7.20 ($8.20 including postage) applies to all QPAC bookings (one fee per transaction).
Title ________ First Name ______________________________ Last Name ______________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Postcode _________ Ph ___________________ Email ________________________________ Your personal information is collected and securely stored in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act (1988).
18 October: Souvenirs de Aranjuez
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Southern Cross Soloists is a not-for-profit arts company operating in Brisbane, Queensland. In addition to presenting fine chamber music Australia-wide with world renowned artists, the Soloists run educational programs across Queensland and a regional festival in Bangalow, New South Wales. All donations, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated and invaluable in assisting us to continue our work of presenting creative programs of international quality and providing unique educational experiences for our communities. If you would like to talk to us about donating funds or providing support in-kind, please contact the General Manager: Email: gm@southernxsoloists.com Phone: +61 (0)7 3844 7260
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To our partners… Southern Cross Soloists acknowledge and thank these organisations and people for their generous support:
Southern Cross Soloists is funded by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland
Mr & Mrs J. and R. Hoffmann Ms L. Orthwein Mr P. Bacon Mr & Mrs G. and G. Scanlan Mr & Mrs B. and M. Coles Ms S. Leuthner Mr P. Dubois Mr & Mrs I. and C. George Ms D. Khursandi Ms M. O’Donnell
Company in Residence
Ms R. Shen Mr C. Williams Mr J. Blocksidge Ms J. Graham Ms J. Hickey Dame Q. Bryce AD CVO CWA Bangalow Mr G. White Mr J. Clayton Mr J. Deuchrass
Mr R. Gordon Ms C. Harrod Ms C. McMurchy Ms J. Noble Ms S. Nelson & Ms N. Pulsford Mr B. O’Connor Ms G. Pauli Ms M. Ralph Ms H. Williamson Mr J. Catlett
…and to all who support Southern Cross Soloists through purchasing tickets, volunteering, in-kind donations, and spreading the word, we thank you!
Information correct at time of printing. SEASON 2020 IMAGES Stephen Henry Photography and Sean Dowling Design
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