7 Dec

Stacey Yang (piano)

Michaela Leisk (soprano)

Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor BWV 883 - J S Bach (1685 - 1750)

Piano sonata in B minor, Hob XVI; 32 - Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)

i. Allegro moderato
ii. Menuetto
iii. Finale. Presto

Three Lieder - Robert Schumann (1810 -1856)

Widmunng (Dedication) from Myrthen , Op.25 no 1
"Seit ich ihn gesehen" (Since mine eyes have seen him) from Frauenliebe und leben op.42 no 1
"...Er, der Herrlichste von Allen" ("He, the best of all.") op.42 no 2

Außerst rasch und mit Bravour no 2 in D major - Robert Schumann (1810 -1856)
(from 8 Novelletten op. 2)

Stacey Xiaoyu Yang started to learn the organ with Kurt Ison in 2007 and received her Licentiate Diploma in Organ Performance from Trinity College London (LTCL) in 2011. She is the current organist at St Peter's Anglican Church, Cremorne. She was granted both organ and carillon scholarships by The University of Sydney. She has given many organ recitals in Sydney including Christ Church St Laurence, St James, King St, St Andrew's Cathedral, The University of Sydney and Sydney Opera House and in overseas she has played in Cathedrals in Anterwep, Madrid, El Lescorial, Burgos, San Sebastian and Royal Versailles Chapel. She gives regular carillon recitals at The University of Sydney and has played carillons overseas in Leuven Catholic University, Mechlen Cathedral, Royal Belgium carillon school, Catalonia Parliament House in Barcelona and Marktkirch in Wisebaden, Germany. She studied piano with Lyall Duke and currently, under Stephanie McCallum's tutelage, recently received her LMusA on piano. She has been a piano tutor at MLC School Burwood since 2007.

Stacey came to Australia in 2001 and received both Bachelor of Medical Science and Master of Nursing degrees from The University of Sydney.

Michaela Leisk graduated from the Royal College of Music, London, in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) under the tutelage of Welsh soprano Eiddwen Harrhy. Opera scenes performed include 'Adele' in Die Fledermaus, 'Flora' in Turn of the Screw, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni.

During her time in the UK, Michaela performed principal roles in five Gilbert and Sullivan productions in Devon, London and Hertfordshire. As a soloist, she also performed numerous sacred Oratorio works at many venues including Chelmsford Cathedral, Essex. Works performed include the Requiems of Mozart, Faure and Rutter, Poulenc's Gloria, Bach's Cantata 51 – Jauchzett Gott, and Handel's Messiah.

Upon returning to Australia in 2007, Michaela has held the post of Cantor at St Peter's Anglican Church, Cremorne. Works performed as soprano soloist at St Peter's include Haydn's St Nicholas Mass, Mozart's Coronation Mass in C and Exsultate Jubilate, to name a few.

In Sydney, Michaela sang the role of 'Calisto' in the Australian premiere of Offenbach's Daphnis and Chloe with Pacific Opera, as well as the leading role of 'Dolores' in Florodora by composer Paul Rubens with Slick Operettas. In 2011 she won the 25 and over Lieder Section of the Sydney Eisteddfod, and joined The Seven Sopranos, performing at Awards Ceremonies and Corporate Events. 2012 saw Michaela perform the role of 'Rose Pickles' in a creative workshop of George Palmer's Cloudstreet - the Opera, 'Lucille' in Rossini's The Silken Ladder with Sydney Independent Opera, and 'Orlenda' in Chloe Charody's circus opera The Carnival.

14 Dec

Raisa Dobrinsky (piano) and Gregory Elmaloglou (cello)

Fantasy Pieces for Violoncello and Piano Op. 73 - Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

i. Zart und mit Ausdruck
ii. Lebhaft, leicht
iii. Rasch und mit Feuer

Sonata No. 2 in F major Op. 99 - Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

i. Allegro vivace
ii. Adagio affettuoso
iii. Allegro appassionata
iv. Allegro molto

Raisa Dobrinsky was an outstanding graduate of the Mussorgsky College of Music as well as the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory, from which she graduated with honours in solo recital, chamber music, accompaniment and teaching.Immigrating to Australia in 1977, Raisa has been teaching part-time at the Conservatoriums of Sydney and Wollongong, allowing time to pursue her career as a concert performer. She has performed regularly with leading Australian music groups and given many solo recitals and radio broadcasts.

Gregory Elmaloglou is a graduate of Lyons Conservatorium, France, where he was born. As a member of the Austral String Quartet since 1959, he undertook two international tours, playing in 15 countries.  Later he founded the Trio Australis, and in partnership with Raisa Dobrinksy, has given many concerts and broadcasts. Gergory has made solo appearances at the ABC Prom concerts and Gold Concerts, and has been soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for whom he was the Associate Principal Cellist from 1972 – 1992.  He has made numerous television broadcast appearances for the ABC.

21 Dec

Callum Close (organ)

Organ Sonata in D minor Op. 60 No. 6 – F. Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)

Chorale and Variations - Fugue - Finale (Andante)

Festival Toccata - Percy Fletcher (1879 - 1932)

From Enigma Variations Op. 36 'Nimrod' – E. Elgar (1857 – 1934)

From Four Extemporisations for Organ 'Fidelis' – P. Whitlock (1903 – 1946)

From Little Carols of the Saints 'St Stephen at Peace' – M. Williamson (1931 – 2003)

Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV565 – JS. Bach (1685 – 1750)

Callum Close (b. 1991, Sydney) began his musical education a very young age when he was enrolled in the Early Childhood Music program at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. With the support of his parents and a musical family, he started piano lessons and quickly accelerated his learning. Upon entering High School, Callum kept an active interest in other facets of education, whilst developing his musical abilities. It was during these years that Callum decided to pursue a career in music. His involvement in School Choir and Concert Band allowed him to express musicality not previously explored in his solo work. In 2007, Callum took a keen interest in the Pipe Organ and began lessons with Dr. Philip Matthias, subsequently being offered his official appointment as Organ Scholar of Adamstown Uniting Church. During 2009, Callum was offered the position of Assistant Organist at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Newcastle, as well as being named a Choral Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral.

During these crucial years, Callum gained an extensive amount of musical experience, and after completing the HSC and topping the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in Music, he entered into the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Newcastle, studying a Double Major in Pipe Organ and Piano with Dr. Philip Matthias and Ian Munro respectively. During this time, he had considerable success as a chorister in the award-winning University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, travelling with the ensemble to compete in the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, as well as a solo instrumentalist and accompanist. He began private conducting lessons with Dr. David Banney in January of 2011.

In addition to this, he was appointed to the position of Organ Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral. This role created a passion within Callum that focuses on the Choral experience. His training led him to The Australian Voices, Australia's leading vocal ensemble, where is both a Chorister and Conductor-in-Training for 2012. Callum has received extensive mentoring in his brief career, including: Philip Sketchley OAM, Gordon Hamilton (The Australian Voices), Roland Peelman (The Song Company), David Drury (St. Paul's, Sydney), Dr. Susan Collins (Graz, Austria) and Peter Guy (Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle).

28 Dec - NO RECITAL