Omega Ensemble to Present THE TROUT and OCTET IN F MAJOR at City Recital Hall

The Trout Quintet is said to evoke the splash of darting fish in the Austrian alpine stream, where Schubert was inspired to compose in the summer of 1819, drawing from his earlier adaptation of a poem. Yet that song takes a twist in the final verse when the trout is stopped dead - by a fisherman's hook. Schubert was no stranger to the darker emotions and what might lurk under the surface of the sparkling stream or enchanting melody.

"My compositions spring from my sorrows. Those that give the world the greatest delight were born of my deepest griefs." - Franz Schubert T

he Trout Quintet is unusual: instead of utilising a piano with a string quartet, the five movements are scored for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass. With the lower range of the double bass in the ensemble, the effect is one of space and depth and air. Perhaps it might conjure clear skies and a mountain scene.

"The freshness and youth of Omega is something I welcome and appreciate." - composer, Ian Munro

The six-movement Octet in F major is another timeless Schubert favourite. With clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, cello, and double bass, the combination of string and wind instruments can convey the textures of a larger orchestra yet with all the clarity and focus of great chamber music.

Omega Ensemble followers will be delighted to hear that David Rowden's virtuosic clarinet playing is highlighted in the Octet - a work that was commissioned by a clarinetist. Co-Artistic Directors Mr Rowden and Maria Raspopova look forward to the big night for the sheer pleasure of making great music with their group.

"Both these pieces were written for a group of friends to perform and I hope this is what you'll feel and be a part of when we play these rich and inspiring works for you," said Maria.

Schubert's works in this program feature melodies and sections we will find familiar and warm. But on the night, in the concert hall, it will be a fresh, immediate experience as we hear great musicians interpret strong compositions.

Program

Schubert
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114 'The Trout'

Schubert
Octet in F major, D. 803

Musicians
Alexandra Osborne (violin), Veronique Serret (violin), Neil Thompson (viola), Paul Stender (cello), Alex Henery (double bass), David Rowden (clarinet), Ben Hoadley (bassoon), Michael Dixon (horn), Maria Raspopova (piano)

About Omega Ensemble

Omega Ensemble was formed 12 years ago by clarinettist David Rowden, now Co-Artistic Director. The ensemble is flexible in size and line-up and can range from full chamber orchestra to duos. Omega Ensemble perform a diverse repertoire, including presenting brand new works, paying due respect to iconic gems and revitalising a rare gem or a neglected beauty.

To date, they have commissioned and performed more than twenty new works from a roster of respected and emerging Australian composers including Daniel Rojas, Mark Isaacs, Cyrus Meurant,
George Palmer, Elena Kats-Chernin, Anne Boyd, Matthew Hindson, John Peterson, Margery Smith, Stuart Greenbaum, Paul Stanhope, Ben Hoadley and Andrew Ford.

Omega regularly performs in the iconic Utzon Room at Sydney Opera House, the acoustically superb City Recital Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre and they tour regularly to regional NSW. Since 2014 the ensemble has been Artist-in-Residence at Mitchell Conservatorium and from 2014 - 2016 Ensemble in Residence at City Recital Hall.

The Omega Ensemble reaches audiences outside the concert hall through their OnDemand concerts, a catalogue of high-quality online video performances free to access worldwide. Omega's performances are included as part of Qantas Airline's in-flight entertainment and regularly in broadcasts on ABC Classic FM and Fine Music FM 102.5.

In 2016 Omega Ensemble recorded their first ABC Classics CD which includes Mozart's Clarinet Quintet and George Palmer's double clarinet concerto It Takes Two, where they were joined by acclaimed clarinetist Dimitri Ashkenazy.

This year pianist Maria Raspopova joins founder David Rowden as Co-Artistic Director.

For more information, visit cityrecitalhall.com or omegaensemble.com.au.

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