Schubert’s Trout

Love Music?Love Omega.Omega Ensemble’s mission is to showcase outstanding artists, captivate and excite audiences, and present revelatory programs of chamber music.

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.

See page 18 for more information.

A Brahms AffairSchumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73

Borodin String Quartet No. 1 in A major

Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115

Beethoven’s QuintetNielsen Wind Quintet, Op. 43

Hindemith Kleine Kammermusik for Wind Quintet, Op. 24, No. 2

Françaix Quartet for Winds

Beethoven Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, Op. 16

Ravel ImpressionsMozart Trio in E flat major ‘Kegelstatt’, K. 498

Fauré Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120

Arensky Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32

Ravel String Quartet in F major

What’s On

Date and TimeThurs 7 Sept, 7:30pm

VenueCity Recital Hall

Bookingscityrecitalhall.com02 8256 2222

Date and TimeSun 8 Oct, 2:30pm

VenueUtzon Room, Sydney Opera House

Bookingssydneyoperahouse.com02 9250 7777

Date and TimeThurs 16 Nov, 7:30pm

VenueCity Recital Hall

Bookingscityrecitalhall.com02 8256 2222

Virtuoso Series Master Series Virtuoso Series

Schubert’s TroutThursday 27 July, 7:30pmCity Recital Hall

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

Interval (20 mins)

SchubertOctet for Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Strings in F major45 mins

Cover Image, Maria Raspopova. Credit: Keith Saunders

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

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The Ensemble

Omega Ensemble shines a light on outstanding musicians, giving every instrument its own voice.

Founded in 2005, Omega Ensemble initially performed in churches and fast became one of Australia’s finest and most lauded chamber groups. Its mission is to showcase outstanding artists who captivate and excite audiences through a revelatory program of chamber music. With a dedication to engaging the finest Australian musicians, as well as international guest artists, Omega presents outstanding musicians in an intimate and stimulating chamber setting.

Omega Ensemble is unique in that the combination of musicians varies for each concert. Ranging from full chamber orchestra to duos it constantly provides a fresh and invigorating musical experience, captivating audiences. Omega’s players pride themselves on performing a diverse range of repertoire; whether it is an iconic gem, a neglected beauty or a brand new work, their passion and commitment to the highest level of craft is still deployed. For audiences, a performance by Omega touches mind, heart and spirit.

To date, the Omega Ensemble has commissioned and performed over twenty new works that demonstrate a Who’s Who roster of Australian

composers, including Daniel Rojas (Hard Boiled Overture), Mark Isaacs (Chamber Symphony No. 2), Cyrus Meurant (Eventide Visions), George Palmer, Elena Kats-Chernin, Anne Boyd, Matthew Hindson, Christopher Gordon, John Peterson, Margery Smith, Stuart Greenbaum, Paul Stanhope, Ben Hoadley, and their latest world premiere, Contradance by acclaimed composer, author and music journalist Andrew Ford.

As well as performing a diverse range of well-known and loved repertoire, Omega Ensemble’s programming includes works that have been lost to time. Omega’s ability to find these pieces and bring them to life spells out a deep love and passion not only for well-known chamber music, but also for exploring gems that delight, entertain and enrich their audiences.

Omega’s innovative approach to concert repertoire and programming is further enhanced by Omega On Demand, in which audiences can relive the magic of a live performance. Beyond these videos, Omega Ensemble’s performances are now included as part of Qantas’s inflight entertainment.

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David RowdenCo-Artistic Director

Maria RaspopovaCo-Artistic Director

David Rowden was born in Sydney and studied clarinet from a young age. He was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music where he won the Geoffrey Hawkes Prize for clarinet performance. David also studied in Italy with Anthony Pay and in France with Paul Meyer.

Since returning to Sydney David has performed as a freelance orchestral musician with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and many others, as well as being Guest Principal Clarinet with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2011 he was a finalist in the ABC Young Performer of the Year Awards. From 2013-2014 David curated the House Music series at Government House.

In 2005 David founded the Omega Ensemble where he has overseen the growth of the organisation since. In 2016 David was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and he recently appeared on the 50th Anniversary DVD of Australia’s iconic children’s program, Play School. 2016 saw David record with Omega Ensemble alongside Dimitri Ashkenazy performing George Palmer’s Clarinet Concerto, It Takes Two, on Omega’s debut album.

In 2017 David joined the staff at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music as part of the University of Newcastle.

Maria Raspopova is an acclaimed and virtuosic chamber musician and recitalist. She is the Co-Artistic Director of Omega Ensemble, and has performed with a number of revered musicians.

Maria began learning the piano at a young age in Russia. At seventeen she moved to Australia with her family and soon commenced studies at Sydney Conservatorium of Music where her teachers were Gerard Willems and Philip Shovk. She was then awarded a scholarship to study with Philip Kawin (Professor of Piano at the Manhattan School of Music). Since returning to Australia, Maria has recorded and performed recitals in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. During the past few years she performed at both the Art Gallery of New South Wales and in the Government House Music series with acclaimed soprano Emma Matthews. With Omega Ensemble she has also performed in a number of newly commissioned Australian works.

Maria has received wide acclaim for her performances with Omega Ensemble. “…the piano sparkled with a shimmering clarity. Raspopova played with confidence and zest. She shone like gold…here is a pianist who could play anything”. Cut Common Magazine.

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Musicians

Alexandra OsborneViolin

Veronique SerretViolin

Alex HeneryDouble Bass

Michael DixonHorn

Maria RaspopovaPiano

Neil ThompsonViola

Ben HoadleyBassoon

David RowdenClarinet

Paul StenderCello

For full biographies, On Demand videos and featured interviews with all our 2017 musicians, visit omegaensemble.com.au/ensemble

Dressed by Scanlan Theodore, courtesy of Mark Wakely & Steven Alward

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Meet the MusicianAlexandra Osborne, Violin

When did you first start playing the violin and what drew you to it?

I first picked up the violin at the age of 4. The story goes that I began to have interest in it as young as 2 years old, because my older brother was doing it and I wanted to be just like him! My dear violin has taken me all over the world and I have met such amazing people everywhere because of it. The best part of being a performer is that I get to make people feel something, anything, even from one phrase of music!

What do you love most about performing chamber music?

I love the freedom, expression, close interaction, responsibility, and excitement that comes with playing so closely with a small group of musicians as well as the vulnerability of letting go with some of

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 wait to share the stage with such great musicians and in a beautiful concert hall. David Rowden and I have known and respected each other for a very very long time, and it will be so fun to perform together after all these years! It is always an amazing experience for me to come back to Sydney and perform in my hometown.

What makes Schubert is one of those composers of ‘all time’ and why do you love his music?

Franz Schubert transcended pretty much every musical genre. I think musicians and audiences love Schubert because of his mastery and brilliance of melody, musical form and his ability to transfix us as the music turns corners. There is so much innocence and playfulness in “The Trout,”, and no sadness or anxiety which come in his later compositions.

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

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Franz Schubert (1797—1828)

Piano Quintet in A, “The Trout”D.667 (1819)

I. Allegro VivaceII. AndanteIII. Scherzo. PrestoIV. Thema Mit VariationenV. Finale. Allegro Giusto

Schubert was only 20 years old when he composed the song Die Forelle (The Trout). Two years later, when touring the Austrian countryside, Schubert met Sylvester Paumgartner; an enthusiastic – and very wealthy – amateur cellist, who encouraged the composer to write a chamber work based on the popular song. Schubert obliged, and the resulting work has since become one of the composer’s best-known pieces.

The song’s rippling sextuplet figure accompaniment appears throughout the quintet’s five movements, yet Schubert keeps his listeners in suspense until the fourth movement, where he indulges in a set of variations on the song’s original melody.

Unfortunately, Schubert over-estimated Paumgartner’s skill, and the piece was relegated to the shelf following an informal performance in which the cellist stumbled through the work with a group of friends in his living room. Finally published a year after the composer’s death, the Trout has since proved to have widespread audience appeal. As well as being much performed and recorded, it has been used as the soundtrack in a number of television shows and films. The music also weaves through the plot of An Equal Music, by writer Vikram Seth, where the bubbling surface melodies that disguise undercurrents of sorrow are a poignant allegory to the main character’s refusal to admit her encroaching deafness.

Two inspiring concerts.Two master composers.

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

A Brahms Affair Ravel Impressions

Book Nowcityrecitalhall.com or call 02 8256 2222

Thurs 7 Sep, 7:30pmA celebration of chemistry, romance and love.

Thurs 16 Nov, 7:30pmDedications and intricate shadings of trios and quartets.

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Franz Schubert (1797—1828)

Octet for Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Strings in F majorD. 803, Op. 166 (1824)

I. Adagio - AllegroII. AdagioIII. Allegro vivaceIV. Andante con variazioniV. Menuetto; AllegrettoVI. Andante molto – Allegro

Amateur clarinettist Count Ferdinand von Troyer would likely have been well pleased with the opportunities to flaunt his talent in this piece. The Octet, which was premiered by von Troyer and friends in a private performance in 1824, was everything he had ordered and more.

Requested as a companion piece to Beethoven’s immensely popular Septet, Schubert’s work is closely modeled on its Beethoven forebear: it is written in six movements with a slow introduction for each outer movement; the harmonic relationship between each movement is identical, and the work contains both an Adagio movement (unusual for Schubert) and an Andante theme and variations.

Yet despite the structural similarities, Schubert’s work is much more than mere imitation. His unique style, with its long melodic lines and emotional clarity, is expressed here in this joyful music with a hint of the poignant.

The Octet begins with a slow introduction in which the clarinet’s extended melody prepares the ear for the movement’s main theme. In the second movement the clarinet, along with the strings, plays a major part in unfolding a gentle and lovely melody. The third movement begins with an exuberant scherzo, from which the trio provides a brief respite. A love duet written by Schubert at age 18 forms the basis for a set of variations in the fourth movement, while the fifth movement is structurally similar to the third, written as a minuet and trio.

The presence in this work of both the Classical minuet and trio, and the Romantic scherzo and trio, points to Schubert’s position on the bridge between two eras. This dichotomy can also be heard in the final movement where the slightly somber material of the slow introduction is balanced against the joyful energy of the work’s conclusion.

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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

Mr Robert Titterton (Chairman)

Ms Karen O’Flynn

Dr Neville Rowden

Mr Shane Simpson AM

Mrs Mary Anne Terry

Principal Chair Sponsors

ViolinMs Amanda Armstrong

ViolaThe Hon. George Palmer AM QC

Drs Jane & Neville Rowden

CelloMr & Mrs Richard and Alison Morgan

Ms Sandra Hutcheson

Dr Anthony White AM and Mrs Doffy White

The Hon. Mary Finn

FluteMr Geoffrey White OAM and Mrs Sally White

BassoonDrs Jane and Neville Rowden

ClarinetMr & Mrs Chris and Ingrid Latham

Mr & Mrs David and Virginia Creer

Drs Jane & Neville Rowden

PianoDrs Jane & Neville Rowden

Artistic Director’s Circle

Mrs Kyril Agnew

Mr Mark Wakely & Mr Steven Alward

Mr Michael Crouch AC

Mrs Kerry Jones

The Hon. Jane Mathews AO

Dr Jane Rowden

Mrs W.G.Keighley – In memory of Keighley Quist

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Annual Giving Program

Maestoso $10,000+Mrs W.G.Keighley – In memory of Keighley Quist

The Hon. Jane Mathews AO

Anonymous (1)

Maestri $5,000 +Mrs Kyril Agnew

Mr Mark Wakely and Mr Steven Alward

Mr and Mrs Bruce and Mary Anne Terry

Mr Bernard Coles QC

Virtuosi $1,000 +Mr Andrew Andersons AO

Mr Paul Blacket SC and Mrs Cristl Blacket

Mr Bernard Coles SC

Mr and Mrs David and Virginia Creer

Mr David Emanuel

Mr Stuart Glenn

Mr and Mrs Chris and Ingrid Latham

Mr and Mrs John and Jo-Ann Negrine

Ms Karen O’Flynn

The Hon. George Palmer AM QC

In Memory of Katherine Robertson

Ms Petrina Slaytor

Professor John Snowdon AM and Mrs Libby Snowdon

Professor Gillian Straker and

Ms Nellie Robertson

Dr Jenepher Thomas

Mr Peter Weiss AO

Mr Geoffrey White OAM

Dr Anthony White AM and Mrs Doffy White

Dr Nicholas Wilcken and Ms Susan Want

Mr Cameron Williams

Anonymous (1)

Encore $500 +Emeritus Professor Christine Alexander and the late Professor Peter Alexander

Mr & Mrs Ian and Adrienne Bailey

Mr Stephen Burley

Mr & Mrs Roberto and Ofelia Brozky

Mr John Sydney Smith and Ms Nola Charles

Mr & Mrs Alan and Phillippa Clark

Mr Shane Simpson AM

Mr Philip Stern

Mr & Mrs Tom and Dalia Stanley

Dr Geoff & Mrs Renee Symonds

Emeritus Professor David Wilcken and Professor Bridget Wilcken AM

Anonymous (1)

Da Capo $250 +Ms Anita Austin

Mr & Mrs Gary and Joanna Barnes

Mrs Catherine Corver

Mr & Mrs Robin and Wendy Cumming

Mr & Mrs Charles and Anne Edmondson

The Hon. Mary Finn

Professor Zoltán H Endre

Mr Andrew Fox-Smith

Mr Randell Heyman

Mr Ian Latham

Mr & Mrs Robert and Tessa Phillips

Mr & Mrs Terrance and Shirley Plowright

Ms Irene Poinkin

Mr Greg Robertson

Mr & Mrs Max and Josette Staples

Mrs Lindsay Wanstall

Anonymous (2)

Soirée Supporter

Mr Ermes De Zan

The Hon. Jane Mathews AO

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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.

Our VisionTo enrich life through a deeper understanding of music.

Omega Ensemble34 Centennial Avenue Randwick NSW 2031Omega Ensemble ACN 40 120 304 725 is listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under Subdivision 30-B of Part 2-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth).

Patron Simone Young am

Ambassador Gerard Willems am

Acknowledgments

BoardRobert Titterton, Chairman

Bruce Terry, Treasurer

David Rowden

Stuart Glenn

TeamMarketing Manager David Boyce

Administrator Stephen Bydder

Content Manager Samuel Cottell

Researcher Rhiannon Cook

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Program Design: Viqtor Studio, viqtor.com.au

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.

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.

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Find out more at omegaensemble.com.au/support

Artistic Director’s Circle

Annual Giving Program

Chairman’s Council

Principal Chair Sponsors

Support the Ensemble with a tax deductible annual donation. Your contribution will be acknowledged throughout the season, as well as exclusive supporter events and opportunities. See a list of current supporters and support levels here.

Help support the musicians that make our dynamic ensemble. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available for each instrument with full sponsorships starting at $7,000. Co-sponsorships are available between family, friends and like-minded supporters.

For supporters who make an ongoing and substantial financial contribution to the Ensemble, we invite you to be part of our exclusive Artistic Directors’ Circle.

You will be acknowledged as making a significant contribution to bringing Omega’s milestone projects to life and shaping the Ensemble’s future.

The Chairman’s Council consists of key supporters who offer valuable business and development advice, as well as much needed networking opportunities. This council is by invitation only.

To find out more, contact Omega Ensemble’s Chairman Robert Titterton on robert@omegaensemble.com.au

A Premiere Recording

Omega Ensemble’s first studio album features George Palmer's Concerto for Two Clarinets, ‘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.auand all good music retailers.