The Firm to Celebrate 100th Concert with Pianist Clemens Leske Today

With one hundred concerts, three hundred world premieres, and enough accolades to fill an auditorium, composer driven chamber music outfit, The Firm, are gearing up to present their 100th concert since their inception in 1996.

Distinguished pianist Clemens Leske will perform Schubert's Piano Sonata in A major, D. 959, Metamorphosis One and Three by Philip Glass, Winterklavier by Raymond Chapman Smith, Schubert Variations by Quentin Grant and the world premiere of Time's Long Ruin by Anne Cawrse today, October 7, 8pm in Elder Hall.

"Our aim has always been to create concert programs, with world class performers, that inspired us, as composers, to write music that communicated with both a new and established fine music audience - and at affordable ticket prices" explains composer director, Quentin Grant.

It's a formula that has worked. The group has world premiered over three hundred new pieces of music performed by some of the city's finest musicians including: Sopranos Greta Bradman and Emma Horwood, Tenor Robert Mcfarlane, Pianists Leigh Harrold and Anna Goldsworthy and members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Part of the success of The Firm's enduring popularity lies in how the old and the new are so seamlessly combined in the one program. "Each program series is a conversation of music and ideas between composers and performers of the past and the present" explains director Raymond Chapman Smith "and it also enables performers to breathe life into entirely new works which have never been heard before".

Critic Graham Strahle says "Many including myself have long regarded The Firm as the lifeblood of new music in South Australia, both in terms of the intellectual vigour of their creativity and the opportunities they provide for composers (especially younger) in this state. I find their concerts are a heart warming call-to-sense in this sometimes moribund world of 'new music'."

Each year, composer directors Quentin Grant and Raymond Chapman Smith, compile a concert series with a 'composer in residence' that provides a focus for the creation of new works. This year's focus is the great Romantic master, Franz Schubert, and his late piano sonatas and lieder. Also featuring throughout the season is Philip Glass' Metamorphosis and new works by Adelaide composers.

Tickets are available at the door or through www.trybooking.com/CWCR $7 concession and $12 general admission. Complimentary drinks and tortes will be served after the concert.

For more information, visit www.firmmusic.com.au.

Need more Australia - Adelaide Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...