Omega Ensemble Announces 2018 Concert Season

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.

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 with maturity, the emotional range is deeper: This season will explore 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

Complete season details are available here.

Find out more about subscriptions and ticket packages here.