Schubert’s Trout Love Music? Love Omega.

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Like many arts organisations, box office revenue and government grants make only a partial contribution to the costs involved in bringing our music to an audience.

Omega’s growth is dependent upon the many generous individual supporters who make a substantive contribution to the Ensemble’s current and future success.

We invite you to join this core group of diverse and passionate supporters who share a uniting passion for uncovering great music through captivating chamber performance.

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What’s On

Virtuoso Series Master Series Virtuoso Series

A Brahms Beethoven’s Ravel Affair Quintet Impressions

Schumann Nielsen Mozart Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 Wind Quintet, Op. 43 Trio in E flat major ‘Kegelstatt’, K. 498 Borodin Hindemith No. 1 in Kleine Kammermusik for Fauré A major Wind Quintet, Op. 24, No. 2 Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120

Brahms Françaix Arensky Quintet in B minor, Quartet for Winds Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 115 Op. 32 Beethoven Quintet in E flat major for Ravel Piano and Winds, Op. 16 String Quartet in F major

Date and Time Date and Time Date and Time Thurs 7 Sept, 7:30pm Sun 8 Oct, 2:30pm Thurs 16 Nov, 7:30pm

Venue Venue Venue City Recital Hall Utzon Room, Sydney City Recital Hall Opera House

Bookings Bookings Bookings cityrecitalhall.com sydneyoperahouse.com cityrecitalhall.com 02 8256 2222 02 9250 7777 02 8256 2222 Schubert’s Trout Thursday 27 July, 7:30pm City Recital Hall

Schubert Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114 ‘The Trout’ 40 mins

Interval (20 mins)

Schubert Octet for Clarinet, , and Strings in F major 45 mins

This evening’s performance will be recorded by ABC Classic FM for future broadcast. Producer, Don Bate

Cover Image, Maria Raspopova. Credit: Keith Saunders The Ensemble

Omega Ensemble shines a light on composers, including Daniel Rojas outstanding musicians, giving every (Hard Boiled Overture), Mark Isaacs instrument its own voice. (Chamber Symphony No. 2), Cyrus Meurant (Eventide Visions), George Founded in 2005, Omega Ensemble Palmer, Elena Kats-Chernin, Anne initially performed in churches and fast Boyd, Matthew Hindson, Christopher became one of Australia’s finest and Gordon, John Peterson, Margery Smith, most lauded chamber groups. Its mission Stuart Greenbaum, Paul Stanhope, Ben is to showcase outstanding artists who Hoadley, and their latest world premiere, captivate and excite audiences through Contradance by acclaimed composer, a revelatory program of chamber author and music journalist Andrew Ford. music. With a dedication to engaging the finest Australian musicians, as well As well as performing a diverse range of as international guest artists, Omega well-known and loved repertoire, Omega presents outstanding musicians in an Ensemble’s programming includes works intimate and stimulating chamber setting. that have been lost to time. Omega’s ability to find these pieces and bring Omega Ensemble is unique in that them to life spells out a deep love and the combination of musicians varies passion not only for well-known chamber for each concert. Ranging from full music, but also for exploring gems chamber orchestra to duos it constantly that delight, entertain and enrich their provides a fresh and invigorating musical audiences. experience, captivating audiences. Omega’s players pride themselves Omega’s innovative approach to concert on performing a diverse range of repertoire and programming is further repertoire; whether it is an iconic gem, a enhanced by Omega On Demand, in neglected beauty or a brand new work, which audiences can relive the magic of their passion and commitment to the a live performance. Beyond these videos, highest level of craft is still deployed. For Omega Ensemble’s performances are audiences, a performance by Omega now included as part of Qantas’s inflight touches mind, heart and spirit. entertainment. To date, the Omega Ensemble has commissioned and performed over twenty new works that demonstrate a Who’s Who roster of Australian

6 David Maria Rowden Raspopova Co-Artistic Director Co-Artistic Director

David Rowden was born in Sydney and Maria Raspopova is an acclaimed and studied clarinet from a young age. He virtuosic chamber musician and recitalist. was awarded a scholarship to study She is the Co-Artistic Director of Omega at the Royal Academy of Music where Ensemble, and has performed with a he won the Geoffrey Hawkes Prize for number of revered musicians. clarinet performance. David also studied Maria began learning the piano at a in Italy with Anthony Pay and in France young age in Russia. At seventeen she with Paul Meyer. moved to Australia with her family and Since returning to Sydney David has soon commenced studies at Sydney performed as a freelance orchestral Conservatorium of Music where her musician with the Sydney Symphony teachers were Gerard Willems and Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Philip Shovk. She was then awarded a Ballet Orchestra and many others, as well scholarship to study with Philip Kawin as being Guest Principal Clarinet with the (Professor of Piano at the Manhattan Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2011 he School of Music). Since returning to was a finalist in the ABC Young Performer Australia, Maria has recorded and of the Year Awards. From 2013-2014 performed recitals in Melbourne, David curated the House Music series at Brisbane and Sydney. During the past Government House. few years she performed at both the Art Gallery of New South Wales In 2005 David founded the Omega and in the Government House Music Ensemble where he has overseen the series with acclaimed soprano Emma growth of the organisation since. In 2016 Matthews. With Omega Ensemble she David was elected an Associate of the has also performed in a number of newly Royal Academy of Music and he recently commissioned Australian works. appeared on the 50th Anniversary DVD of Australia’s iconic children’s program, Maria has received wide acclaim Play School. 2016 saw David record for her performances with Omega with Omega Ensemble alongside Dimitri Ensemble. “…the piano sparkled with a Ashkenazy performing George Palmer’s shimmering clarity. Raspopova played Clarinet Concerto, It Takes Two, on with confidence and zest. She shone like Omega’s debut album. gold…here is a pianist who could play anything”. Cut Common Magazine. In 2017 David joined the staff at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music as part of the University of Newcastle.

7 Musicians

Alexandra Osborne Veronique Serret Neil Thompson Paul Stender Violin

Alex Henery David Rowden Ben Hoadley Michael Dixon Clarinet Bassoon Horn

Maria Raspopova Piano For full biographies, On Demand videos and featured interviews Dressed by Scanlan Theodore, courtesy of Mark with all our 2017 musicians, visit Wakely & Steven Alward omegaensemble.com.au/ensemble

8 Meet the Musician Alexandra Osborne, Violin

your closest friends or even new friends. I also love the combination of everyone’s expertise and experience pooling together into this awesome vessel of sound and expression. Chamber music fulfills me in every possible way as a musician and as a person, and I can’t live without it. What are you most looking forward to about performing with Omega Ensemble? This will be my first official appearance with the Omega Ensemble, and I can’t When did you first start playing the violin wait to share the stage with such great and what drew you to it? musicians and in a beautiful concert hall. David Rowden and I have known I first picked up the violin at the age of and respected each other for a very 4. The story goes that I began to have very long time, and it will be so fun to interest in it as young as 2 years old, perform together after all these years! It because my older brother was doing it is always an amazing experience for me and I wanted to be just like him! My dear to come back to Sydney and perform in violin has taken me all over the world my hometown. and I have met such amazing people everywhere because of it. The best part What makes Schubert is one of those of being a performer is that I get to make composers of ‘all time’ and why do you people feel something, anything, even love his music? from one phrase of music! transcended pretty much What do you love most about performing every musical genre. I think musicians chamber music? and audiences love Schubert because of his mastery and brilliance of melody, I love the freedom, expression, close musical form and his ability to transfix interaction, responsibility, and excitement us as the music turns corners. There is so that comes with playing so closely with a much innocence and playfulness in “The small group of musicians as well as the Trout,”, and no sadness or anxiety which vulnerability of letting go with some of come in his later compositions.

9 Encore.

The concert hall is never silent with Omega On Demand. Relive hours of beautiful music and inspiring performances in the comfort of your home or on your mobile device.

omegaensemble.com.au/ondemand Franz Schubert (1797—1828) Piano Quintet in A, “The Trout” D.667 (1819)

I. Allegro Vivace II. Andante III. Scherzo. Presto IV. Thema Mit Variationen V. Finale. Allegro Giusto

Schubert was only 20 years old when Unfortunately, Schubert over-estimated he composed the song Die Forelle (The Paumgartner’s skill, and the piece Trout). Two years later, when touring was relegated to the shelf following the Austrian countryside, Schubert met an informal performance in which the Sylvester Paumgartner; an enthusiastic cellist stumbled through the work with a – and very wealthy – amateur cellist, group of friends in his living room. Finally who encouraged the composer to write published a year after the composer’s a chamber work based on the popular death, the Trout has since proved to have song. Schubert obliged, and the resulting widespread audience appeal. As well as work has since become one of the being much performed and recorded, composer’s best-known pieces. it has been used as the soundtrack in a number of television shows and films. The song’s rippling sextuplet figure The music also weaves through the plot accompaniment appears throughout the of An Equal Music, by writer Vikram Seth, quintet’s five movements, yet Schubert where the bubbling surface melodies that keeps his listeners in suspense until the disguise undercurrents of sorrow are a fourth movement, where he indulges in poignant allegory to the main character’s a set of variations on the song’s original refusal to admit her encroaching melody. deafness.

11 Two master composers. Two inspiring concerts.

A Brahms Affair Ravel Impressions Thurs 7 Sep, 7:30pm Thurs 16 Nov, 7:30pm A celebration of chemistry, Dedications and intricate romance and love. shadings of trios and quartets.

Book a two-concert ticket package and save up to 20%.

Book Now cityrecitalhall.com or call 02 8256 2222 Franz Schubert (1797—1828) Octet for Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Strings in F major D. 803, Op. 166 (1824)

I. Adagio - Allegro II. Adagio III. Allegro vivace IV. Andante con variazioni V. Menuetto; Allegretto VI. Andante molto – Allegro

Amateur clarinettist Count Ferdinand The Octet begins with a slow introduction von Troyer would likely have been well in which the clarinet’s extended melody pleased with the opportunities to flaunt prepares the ear for the movement’s his talent in this piece. The Octet, which main theme. In the second movement was premiered by von Troyer and friends the clarinet, along with the strings, plays in a private performance in 1824, was a major part in unfolding a gentle and everything he had ordered and more. lovely melody. The third movement begins with an exuberant scherzo, from Requested as a companion piece to which the trio provides a brief respite. Beethoven’s immensely popular , A love duet written by Schubert at age Schubert’s work is closely modeled on 18 forms the basis for a set of variations its Beethoven forebear: it is written in in the fourth movement, while the fifth six movements with a slow introduction movement is structurally similar to the for each outer movement; the harmonic third, written as a minuet and trio. relationship between each movement is identical, and the work contains both an The presence in this work of both the Adagio movement (unusual for Schubert) Classical minuet and trio, and the and an Andante theme and variations. Romantic scherzo and trio, points to Schubert’s position on the bridge Yet despite the structural similarities, between two eras. This dichotomy can Schubert’s work is much more than mere also be heard in the final movement imitation. His unique style, with its long where the slightly somber material of the melodic lines and emotional clarity, is slow introduction is balanced against the expressed here in this joyful music with a joyful energy of the work’s conclusion. hint of the poignant.

13 Supporters

Omega Ensemble is honoured to be supported by our generous patrons. All donations go towards enabling Omega Ensemble to continue to produce and perform outstanding chamber music.

Chairman’s Council Artistic Director’s Circle

Mr Robert Titterton (Chairman) Mrs Kyril Agnew Ms Karen O’Flynn Mr Mark Wakely & Mr Steven Alward Dr Neville Rowden Mr Michael Crouch AC Mr Shane Simpson AM Mrs Kerry Jones Mrs Mary Anne Terry The Hon. Jane Mathews AO Dr Jane Rowden Mrs W.G.Keighley – In memory of Keighley Quist

Principal Chair Sponsors

Violin Flute Piano Ms Amanda Armstrong Mr Geoffrey White OAM and Drs Jane & Neville Rowden Mrs Sally White Viola The Hon. George Palmer AM QC Bassoon Drs Jane & Neville Rowden Drs Jane and Neville Rowden

Cello Clarinet Mr & Mrs Richard and Mr & Mrs Chris and Alison Morgan Ingrid Latham Ms Sandra Hutcheson Mr & Mrs David and Virginia Creer Dr Anthony White AM and Mrs Doffy White Drs Jane & Neville Rowden The Hon. Mary Finn

14 Annual Giving Program

Maestoso $10,000+ Ms Nellie Robertson Mr & Mrs Gary and Mrs W.G.Keighley – In memory of Dr Jenepher Thomas Joanna Barnes Keighley Quist Mr Peter Weiss AO Mrs Catherine Corver The Hon. Jane Mathews AO Mr Geoffrey White OAM Mr & Mrs Robin and Wendy Cumming Anonymous (1) Dr Anthony White AM and Mrs Doffy White Mr & Mrs Charles and Maestri $5,000 + Anne Edmondson Dr Nicholas Wilcken and Mrs Kyril Agnew Ms Susan Want The Hon. Mary Finn Mr Mark Wakely and Mr Cameron Williams Professor Zoltán H Endre Mr Steven Alward Anonymous (1) Mr Andrew Fox-Smith Mr and Mrs Bruce and Mr Randell Heyman Mary Anne Terry Encore $500 + Mr Ian Latham Mr Bernard Coles QC Emeritus Professor Christine Mr & Mrs Robert and Alexander and the late Tessa Phillips Virtuosi $1,000 + Professor Peter Alexander Mr & Mrs Terrance and Mr Andrew Andersons AO Mr & Mrs Ian and Shirley Plowright Mr Paul Blacket SC and Adrienne Bailey Ms Irene Poinkin Mrs Cristl Blacket Mr Stephen Burley Mr Greg Robertson Mr Bernard Coles SC Mr & Mrs Roberto and Mr & Mrs Max and Mr and Mrs David and Ofelia Brozky Josette Staples Virginia Creer Mr John Sydney Smith and Mrs Lindsay Wanstall Ms Nola Charles Mr David Emanuel Anonymous (2) Mr Stuart Glenn Mr & Mrs Alan and Phillippa Clark Mr and Mrs Chris and Ingrid Latham Mr Shane Simpson AM Mr and Mrs John and Jo-Ann Mr Philip Stern Negrine Mr & Mrs Tom and Dalia Stanley Ms Karen O’Flynn Dr Geoff & Mrs Renee Symonds The Hon. George Palmer AM QC Emeritus Professor David In Memory of Katherine Wilcken and Professor Bridget Robertson Wilcken AM Ms Petrina Slaytor Anonymous (1) Professor John Snowdon AM and Da Capo $250 + Mrs Libby Snowdon Professor Gillian Straker and Ms Anita Austin

Soirée Supporter

Mr Ermes De Zan The Hon. Jane Mathews AO

15 Sponsors

Principal Partner

Major Partner

Presenting Partner (Lunch Series) Media Partner (Virtuoso Series) Media Partner (Master Series)

Print Partner Wine Partner Champagne Partner Music Partner

Educational Partner Regional Partner Accommodation Partner Supporters Acknowledgments

Our Vision Omega Ensemble Board To enrich life through a 34 Centennial Avenue Robert Titterton, deeper understanding of Randwick NSW 2031 Chairman music. Omega Ensemble ACN 40 120 304 725 Bruce Terry, is listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations Treasurer Join the Conversation maintained under Subdivision 30-B of Part 2-1 of the Income Tax Assessment David Rowden Act 1997 (Cth). Stuart Glenn

Sign up online to our Patron Team e-newsletter and follow us Simone Young am Marketing Manager on social media to keep David Boyce up to date with Omega's Ambassador concerts and recordings. Gerard Willems am Administrator Stephen Bydder #omega2017 Content Manager Samuel Cottell

Researcher Rhiannon Cook

Acknowledgment of Country Omega Ensemble acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which we perform. We pay respect to the Elders both past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Program Design: Viqtor Studio, viqtor.com.au

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 venues. For up to date performance and artist details, please visit omegaensemble.com.au. 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. Support Omega

Our support programs offer something for everyone. Start by becoming a Patron with a tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more to our Annual Giving Program. Then get closer to the Ensemble by sponsoring an instrumental chair.

As a supporter you will be acknowledged throughout our concert season in our programs, on our website and through exclusive supporter events and benefits.

Find out more at omegaensemble.com.au/support Annual Giving Program Principal Chair Sponsors

Support the Ensemble with a tax Help support the musicians that deductible annual donation. Your make our dynamic ensemble. Limited contribution will be acknowledged sponsorship opportunities are throughout the season, as well as available for each instrument with full exclusive supporter events and sponsorships starting at $7,000. Co- opportunities. See a list of current sponsorships are available between supporters and support levels here. family, friends and like-minded supporters.

Artistic Director’s Circle Chairman’s Council

For supporters who make an ongoing The Chairman’s Council consists of key and substantial financial contribution to supporters who offer valuable business the Ensemble, we invite you to be part of and development advice, as well as our exclusive Artistic Directors’ Circle. much needed networking opportunities. This council is by invitation only. You will be acknowledged as making a significant contribution to bringing To find out more, contact Omega Omega’s milestone projects to life and Ensemble’s Chairman Robert Titterton shaping the Ensemble’s future. on [email protected] A Premiere Recording

Omega Ensemble’s first studio album features George Palmer's Concerto for Two , ‘It Takes Two’ performed by David Rowden and Dimitri Ashkenazy, as well as Ian Munro’s beautiful Clarinet Quintet ‘Songs from the Bush’ and Mozart's Clarinet Quintet, in a rare performance on basset clarinet.

Available from omegaensemble.com.au and all good music retailers.