Omega Ensemble Welcomes Soprano Lee Abrahmsen

Maria Raspopova and David Rowden announced the Omega Ensemble 2018 Season at a post-concert event on Thursday 7 September - just minutes after they played a breathtaking program of Borodin, Brahms and Schumann at City Recital Hall, Sydney.

"Chamber music is all about the intimacy and connection between the artists, audience and the music ... our 2018 season explores these relationships through themes of love, joy, sorrow and hope," said David Rowden, Omega Ensemble's clarinettist and co-artistic director.
Complete season details at this link:
VIEW 2018 CONCERT SEASON

2017 has been huge for the Omega Ensemble, with 3 concerts still to come. The year has seen fine performances, the highest ever subscription and ticket sales levels, excellent reviews in the press and national radio broadcasts including Omega Ensemble concerts on ABC Classic FM.

The 2018 season brings joy, sorrow, passion and mystery 2018 is Omega's 13th season and the emotional range is deep - exploring mystery, joy, sorrow and passion. Maria and David's thoughtful and innovative programming offers new works and favourites alongside rare gems they've discovered and uncovered. It's a strong season of exquisite chamber music designed to inspire and challenge audiences and performers alike.

"It is a challenge to select the perfect program, as everyone has different tastes. Our 2018 season is very much a degustation menu filled with many surprises along the way," said Omega's pianist and co-artistic director Maria Raspopova.

Omega Ensemble is proud to present their 2018 season in Sydney's superb concert venues - City Recital Hall and Sydney Opera House.
Favourites in 2018
Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time
Schubert Death and the Maiden
Satie Trois Gymnopedies
Beethoven 'Spring' Violin Sonata
... and string quintets by Mendelssohn and Schubert.

Recent and new works in 2018
Gerard Brophy We Two Boys Together
David Bruce Gumboots - Aus premiere
Samuel Hogarth Trio - premiere
Ian Munro A Forest of Birds - Aus premiere

David Rowden: "It is always a thrill to work on a new commission, especially one that stems from our very own patrons. Mark Wakely & Steven Alward have commissioned a work by Australian composer Gerard Brophy titled We Two Boys Together where I will be joined by 2015 Australian Young Performer of the Year Award winner Lloyd Van't Hoff."

Featured performers in 2018
Violinist Veronique Serrett
Soprano Lee Abrahmsen
Pianist Maria Raspopova
Cellist Howard Penny
Pianist/composer Samuel Hogarth
Clarinettist Lloyd Van't Hoff

THE CONCERTS

SUMMER WINDS From Beethoven to Ravel:
Sunday 25 February 2018 Sydney Opera House
Claude Debussy "Syrinx", for Solo Flute
Paul Taffanel Wind Quintet in G minor
Ludwig van Beethoven Duo for Bassoon and Clarinet
Maurice Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin
Malcolm Arnold Three Shanties for Wind Quintet, Op. 4

ETERNAL QUARTETS Messiaen and Schubert:
Wednesday11 April 2018 City Recital Hall
Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings, Op.11
Olivier Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time)
Franz Schubert String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D.810 "Death and the Maiden"

FAIRY TALES Schumann, Bruch and Borodin:
Sunday 17 June 2018 Sydney Opera House
Robert Schumann Märchenerzählungen (Fairy Tales) for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 132
Samuel Hogarth Trio (2018) [Australian Premiere]
Max Bruch Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 83
Alexander Borodin String Quartet No. 2 in D major
Special guest Samuel Hogarth, composer/pianist

LOVE Weber and Franck:
Wednesday 18 July 2018 City Recital Hall
Edward Elgar Romance for Bassoon and Strings in D minor, Op. 62
Carl Maria von Weber Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B flat Major, Op. 34
Gerard Brophy We Two Boys Together (2017)
César Franck Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major
Featuring Lloyd Van't Hoff, clarinet - Young Performer of the Year (2015)

JOY Farrenc and Beethoven:
Tuesday 25 September 2018 City Recital Hall
Franz Schubert Notturno in E flat major, Op. 148
Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Sonata No.5 in F major, Op. 24, "Spring"
Louise Farrenc Nonet in E flat Major, Op. 38
Elena Kats-Chernin Russian Rag (Nonet arrangement by the composer for Omega Ensemble)
Featured artist Veronique Serret, violin

VOCALISE Rachmaninoff and Poulenc:
Sunday 21 October 2018 Sydney Opera House
Francis Poulenc Selected Chansons, Banalités and Poemes
Sergei Rachmaninoff Selections from 14 Romances, Op.34
Ian Munro A Forest of Birds (Australian Premiere)
Featuring soprano Lee Abrahmsen and pianist Maria Raspopova

MOMENTUM Schubert and Mendelssohn:
Tuesday 13 November 2018 City Recital Hall
David Bruce "Gumboots" for Clarinet and String Quartet (2008) (Australian Premiere)
Franz Schubert String Quintet in C major, D. 956, "Cello Quintet"
Felix Mendelssohn String Quintet No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 87
Featured artist Howard Penny, cello

Maria Raspopova In Recital:
Sunday 2 December 2018 Sydney Opera House
Claude Debussy Claire de Lune
Frédéric Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
Eric Satie Trois Gymnopédies
Franz Liszt Grandes études de Paganini No.3 in G sharp minor, "La campanella"
Sergei Rachmaninoff Prelude No. 5 in G minor, Op. 23
Johann Sebastian Bach Partita in C minor, BWV 826
Featuring Maria Raspopova - pianist and Omega Ensemble Co-Artistic Director

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