With a reputation for shaking up Australian classical music stages, Omega Ensemble's upcoming tour is an experience that feels simultaneously familiar and entirely new.
Featuring Frédéric Chopin’s spectacular first Piano Concerto, Finnish composer Olli Mustonen‘s Nonet II and a world premiere from exciting new Australian voice Harry Sdraulig, the Ensemble’s penultimate national tour of 2024 is set to stun audiences with virtuosity and brilliance.
In a reflection of Chopin’s preference for intimate rooms over vast concert halls, Concertante will feature a raw and pared-back arrangement of only 10 musicians, drawing the audience in close and keeping them on the edge of their seats throughout the entire show.
Omega Ensemble – Concertante
- October 1, 7pm
- Melbourne Recital Centre – Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets are on sale now
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“Performing big music with a small but mighty ensemble is Omega Ensemble’s modus operandi,” says Artistic Director David Rowden. “It offers a new perspective and unlocks a greater sense of musical clarity.”
Concertante will show on October 1 at Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elisabeth Murdoch Hall as part of the ongoing Chamber Music series, before heading on tour across the country.
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Leading Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with sparkling dexterity is pianist Vatche Jambazian. “Vatche is an iron fist in a velvet glove,” says Rowden. “His passion and intensity on-stage can be felt from the back row of any concert hall, and he is exceptionally skilled at channelling this emotion into the performance, piece or phrase at hand – whether the music is ferocious or fluid.”
Omega Ensemble has brought in one of Australia’s most buzz-worthy composers for this show. Described as “the most interesting voice in Australian composition for many years” by Australian Stage, Melbourne’s Harry Sdraulig is a shining figure in contemporary Australian composition.
He’s best known for his unique stylistic approach, which blends tonal and chromatic elements, exploring the limits of tonality while remaining accessible to classically trained musicians. His work often features rich harmonies and intricate rhythmic interplay, pulling inspiration from classical, jazz and popular music.
Currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Sydney, Sdraulig’s compositions have gained widespread recognition, frequently performed and broadcast across Australia, as well as in Europe, the UK and the US. His portfolio includes commissions from esteemed organizations such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva, renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Zelman Symphony Orchestra.
The Omega Ensemble has commissioned a brand new work from the artist: Triptych, composed for clarinet and string nonet.
“The music that Harry has written is not just extremely well crafted; it is chock-full of style,” says Rowden. “Harry is the type of young Australian composer who will make waves on a global scale, so it’s a pleasure to share his music with Australian audiences at this stage in his career.”
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Joining him on the bill is one of Australia’s most beloved concert pianists, Olli Mustonen. Hailing from Helsinki, he’s built a reputation as a versatile and multifaceted performer, excelling not only as a pianist but as a composer and conductor as well. His holistic approach to music gives him a strong sense of perspective and an instantly recognisable signature style.
No stranger to Australian stages, Mustonen’s work will be happily welcomed back to Melbourne. Drawing inspiration from the 17th and 18th centuries, this interpretation of Nonetto II will showcase with warmth, vigour and a passionate, riveting grand finale.
Celebrated as “the best chamber music outfit in town” by Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s Omega Ensemble are the powering force behind Concertante. Founded in 2005, Omega Ensemble is committed to standing at the front of musical expression, working with the country’s leading composers and hosting groundbreaking premieres of high-energy, state-of-the-art musical innovation.
With multiple APRA/AMCOS Classical Music Awards nominations and praise from some of the country’s most well-respected classical music critics, Omega Ensemble aims to push the boundaries of classical music and keep the craft alive and well in the country and the world.
With the Omega Ensemble at the helm and Sdraulig, Mustonen and more involved, the sheer amount of skill and dedication involved in Concertante will certainly do justice to the works of Chopin. Showing for one night only in Melbourne, this hour-and-a-half-long concert will be captivating from start to finish.
Concertante makes its way to Melbourne at Elizabeth Murdoch Hall on October 1 at 7pm. Find tickets here.
This article was made in partnership with Omega Ensemble.
