Apr 6 - GOOD FRIDAY - 2.30pm

13 April

The Strelitzia Piano Trio

Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich - violin
Eleanor Betts - cello
Evgeny Ukhanov - piano

Piano Trio Op. 70 No.1 in D Major 'Ghost'  - Ludwig v. Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

- Allegro vivace e con brio
- Largo assai ed espressivo
- Presto

Please note this program is subject to change

The Strelitzia Trio is a rising star in the world of chamber music. Formed in 2008, these talented young musicians won the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod Musica Viva Chamber Music Award in 2009, and have benefited from the guidance of some of Australia's most eminent musicians.The Trio perform repertoire ranging from the great classics, to rare gems and modern masterpieces.

20 April

Alastair Duff-Forbes (violin)

Ying Ho (piano)

Praeludium and Allegro - Fritz Kriesler (1875 - 1962)

Meditation from "Thais" - Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912)

Violin Sonata No.1 Op.12, No. 1 - Ludwig v. Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
 
I. Allegro con brio
II. Tema con variazioni. Andante con moto
III. Rondo. Allegro

Alastair's involvement in music began at an early age, playing the violin at the age of five and the piano at the age of seven. He attended the Conservatorium High School on scholarship. During that time, he studied the violin with Alice Waten and Goetz Richter, and the piano with Stephanie McCallum. Alastair obtained his A.Mus.A for violin in 1998 and for piano the following year. He was awarded the L.Mus.A for violin in 2002.

In 2001, Alastair began his studies for a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium, majoring in violin performance, continuing his studies under Goetz Richter. Since then, he has received a number of Scholarships including the Matteson and Nancy Roberts Scholarship, the Chapple Bremner Award and a Rotary Scholarship. Alastair graduated with honours at the end of 2004 and studied for a Master of Music in violin performance at the Sydney Conservatorium under Chris Kimber and Carl Pini.

Alastair has participated in masterclasses with artists of international renown, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Dene Olding, Lara St. John, Walter Verdehr, Charles Castlemann, the Borodin Quartet, the Goldner String Quartet and the Belcea Quartet. Alastair reached the semi-finals of the Kendall National Violin Competetion in 2001.

Alastair performed the Barber Violin Concerto with the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, in 2004, and the Mozart A Major Violin Concerto with Orchestra 143, in 2007. He recently performed the Bach Double Violin Concerto with Tracy Wan and Orchestra 143, in May 2011.

Alastair has been an active chamber musician for many years, performing as a member of many different ensembles including the Sapphire String Quartet, the Stables Quartet and the Stables Trio. He has performed in a wide variety of events including the 2006 Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville, with the Stables Quartet, and the 2007 APEC leaders' conference at the Sydney Opera House, with the Sapphire String Quartet.

Alastair has been a member of many orchestras, including the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Youth Orchestra and Eminence Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, performing as Concertmaster on many occasions. Alastair was Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra in 2010 and Associate Concertmaster in 2009. He is Concertmaster of the Bourbaki Ensemble, since 2007, and is currently a member of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

Alastair also has an interest in viola, singing and conducting. He conducted Orchestra 143 in concert in November 2010.

27 April

Daniel Dries (organ)

Grand Chœur en Ré majeur (Op. 18) - Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)

Prélude, Fugue et Variation (Op. 18) - César Franck (1822-90)

Praeludium et Fuga (BWV 543) - J S Bach (1685-1750)

Elegy - George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987)

Humoresque "L'organo primitivo" - Pietro Yon (1886-1943)

Tu es Petra  - Henri Mulet (1878-1967)

Daniel Dries was born in Sydney in 1971. He completed a Master of Music degree at the University of Newcastle in 1995, majoring in organ performance. His teachers included Professor Michael Dudman and Anthony Jennings. He has also attained Associate Diplomas in organ performance from the Royal College of Organists and the Royal College of Music in London (ARCO & ARCM). Daniel also holds Licentiate diplomas from Trinity College of Music, London and the Australian Music Examinations Board (LTCL & LMusA).

Daniel has given many recitals at venues in Australia and overseas including the Sydney Opera House, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, Sydney University Great Hall, and Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, U.S.A. From 2000 to 2005 Daniel was Organist and Director of Music at St. Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney. From 2001 to 2005 Daniel was also Head of Music at SCEGGS Darlinghurst. From 2002 to 2004 Daniel conducted the annual massed-choir performance of Messiah at the Sydney Town Hall, involving 500 singers and musicians. In July 2005 Daniel was awarded a Doctor of Creative Arts degree from the University of Wollongong. This research project focussed on the French Symphonic organ tradition, with a particular emphasis on the life and work of Marcel Dupré.

In 2006 Daniel completed a Bachelor of Theology degree at Charles Sturt University. He was ordained a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and is currently the Priest-in-charge of the Parish of Belmont.