Past Concerts
BEETHOVEN - VASKS - DAFT PUNK
November 2024: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW
As iconoclastic in his own time as any rock star today, Beethoven is recognised as a titan in the history of the string quartet. Although not always appreciated by his contemporaries, Beethoven’s string quartets now represent the pinnacle of composition in the genre. PCQ pair his turbulent ‘Serioso’ quartet with the serene, meditative work of Latvian composer Peteris Vasks. Dance music by the legendary French electro-pop duo Daft Punk adds a modern twist to this diverse program.
Dan Russell, Artistic Director of PC has recently returned from London, on a quest to find a violin. After playing some 120+ violins he returns with an exquisite c1730 Carlo Antonio Testore violin. Hear the violin in this program.
SCHUBERT - SHOSTAKOVICH - ARNALDS - SIGUR RÓS
September 2024: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW
In the third of PCQ’s 2024 concert series, the music of Schubert and Shostakovich is used to represent contrasting social commentary from various historical perspectives. Schubert, aiming to revolutionise string quartet writing, left his atmospheric Quartettsatz tantalisingly unfinished, while Shostakovich covertly revealed details of his emotional world in Communist Russia through his compositions. The ghostly Quartettsatz and Shostakovich String Quartet No.5’s haunting motifs depict the different worlds of the composers and are complemented by exquisite miniatures from Broadchurch composer Ólafur Arnalds and the dreamlike sequences of Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós.
Mendelssohn - ginastera - pink floyd
June 2024: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW
Continuing their exploration of both classical and popular genres, PCQ teams the music of Mendelssohn and Ginastera with prog rock classics from Pink Floyd. Themes of sorrow and isolation permeate the String Quartet no 6, written by a grief-stricken Mendelssohn after the death of his sister. Pink Floyd’s psychedelic take on similar emotional themes provides a powerful parallel, while the driving, dance-inspired rhythms of Ginastera’s String Quartet no 1 represent an earthy affirmation of the simple life.
HAYDN - BARTÓK - SOLLIMA - RADIOHEAD
March 2024: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW.
PCQ begins 2024 with a program featuring the effervescent ‘Lark’ quartet by Haydn, who has long been recognised as the father of the string quartet. The remainder of the program showcases more recent developments in the quartet genre, with the work of Giovanni Sollima providing a light-hearted counterpoint to Bartók’s intricate and profound String Quartet no 3. Finally, the relationship between classical and popular music is highlighted through the music of experimental rock band Radiohead.
Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, Emma Greenhill (world premiere)
November 2023: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW.
In this varied program, PCQ pays tribute to the notion of arcadian England through the work of Ralph Vaughan Williams, perhaps the finest exponent of the English pastoral style. The sweeping melodies of Vaughan Williams’s String Quartet no 2 are complimented by one of the best-known works of the titan of string quartet writing, Ludwig van Beethoven (Razumovsky No.1). The world premiere of a PCQ commission from rising star Emma Greenhill completes the program.
The Art Music of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
August 2023: Canberra, Sydney, The Central Coast & Newcastle NSW.
PCQ feature the music of anime legend, Joe Hisaishi, award-winning composer of soundtracks to some of the best-loved Studio Ghibli films. Films such as Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle captured the imaginations of film audiences both young and old, and Hisaishi’s evocative music is an integral part of the charm and character. In this concert, a string quartet by Hisaishi will be performed*, alongside themes from some of the best-known Studio Ghibli movies.
*The Australian Premiere of Joe Hisaishi’s String Quartet No.1.
Kodály, Sculthorpe & Balakrishnan
April 2023: Canberra, Sydney & The Central Coast NSW.
PCQ explores ideas of national identity in a program featuring the music of Hungarian patriot Zoltán Kodály and Peter Sculthorpe, who is recognised as one of the founders of modern Australian composition. Kodály’s String Quartet no 1 was the work in which he broke away from the tradition of German Romanticism, using instead Hungarian folk melodies as inspiration. On the other side of the world, Sculthorpe’s String Quartet no 11, subtitled ‘Jabiru Dreaming’, is an evocative exploration of the sounds of the Australian landscape. And for something totally different, Jazz/Classical composer David Balakrishnan’s (Turtle Island Quartet) Skylife.
Tenzin Choegyal & Phoenix Collective Quartet (Tibetan Folk)
February 2023 - National Multicultural Festival, Canberra and Sydney performances.
April 2023 - Melbourne Recital Centre
PCQ teams up with Tibetan singer and multi-instrumentalist Tenzin Choegyal for a program which takes the listener on a journey through Tibet. Energetic, expressive and at times reflective, Tenzin draws on his nomadic roots to lead the audience through musical works both traditional and new. Originating from a collaboration at the 2022 National Folk Festival, the combination of PCQ and Tenzin Choegyal is sure to delight audiences of all musical styles.
The Vivaldi Four Seasons
Sunday 4th December 2022
Vivaldi’s classic work is performed in its entirety by soloist Dan Russell and PCQ. From the icy winds of winter to the tempestuous summer storms, these works carry the listener on a journey full of extremes. Informed by the poems that originally inspired Vivaldi’s composition, PCQ’s performance is full of character, nuance and expression.
Notes of obsession
14 - 16 October 2022
Janáček String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters
Schubert String Quartet D810 No.14,
Death and the Maiden
This epic program comprises two pillars of the chamber music repertoire – Schubert’s Death and the Maiden quartet and Janacek’s Intimate Letters. Both works represent some of the most exciting and emotive music ever written for string quartet. Each quartet was written by a composer who was obsessed – Janacek with an unattainable married woman, and Schubert with his own impending death.
A Night in Buenos aires
18 - 21 August 2022
Known for sell-out performances, PC Tango is a surefire crowd-pleaser. Featuring tango legend and founder of TangoOz, Maggie Ferguson on the bandoneon, the ensemble will explore early and traditional works from the birthplace of tango, Buenos Aires, and the father of Nuevo Tango, Astor Piazzolla. Not the usual ‘Hollywood rose in the teeth style of Tango’ but the gritty, ‘knife in the boot’ style.
enlightenment
10 - 12 June 2022
‘Enlightenment’, the third in PCQ’s 2022 concert series, explores ideas of liberty, progress and individualism. The work of Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Sally Whitwell each represent different facets of these ideas and responses to them: Mendelssohn, a gifted product of post-Enlightenment Europe; Shostakovich, who was frequently the victim of repressive authorities; and Sally Whitwell, a representative and commentator on our own time.
*World premiere of ‘Toward’ by Sally Whitwell.
East-West fusion
21 - 24 April 2022
Phoenix Collective’s erhu concerts are diverse and unique, featuring Ying Liu on traditional Chinese erhu (Chinese fiddle). This program explores traditional Chinese folk music, improvisation and modern experimental techniques. Traditional works arranged specifically for Western string quartet plus erhu, programmed alongside Debussy’s famous String Quartet in G minor.
Darkness & Light
17 - 20 February 2022
Mozart String Quartet K465 Dissonance
Mace Francis Squint Your Eyes World Premiere
Beethoven String Quartet Op.132
Phoenix Collective’s first program for 2022 explores contrasts in the works of some of classical music’s best known composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. These remarkable string quartets are among the finest in the entire chamber music repertoire, and embody the development of the Classical and early Romantic string quartet.
Also featured in this program is the world premiere of Mace Francis’s Squint Your Eyes. A West Australian composer, Francis is a lecturer, Artistic Director of WAYJO & MFO (Mace Francis Orchestra), and winner of the 2015 APRA AMCOS Art Music Award for Jazz Work of the Year. He was inducted into the ‘WAYJO Hall of Fame’ in 2018. ‘It’s a work about focusing on what is important and blocking out the bullsh*t.’ (Mace Francis)
Much Ado About Nothing
Phoenix Collective, violin & piano
Brahams | Mozart | Korngold
December 17th - 19th 2021
A charming program of brilliant chamber music for violin and piano. Featuring Eric Korngold’s quirky and rarely performed Much Ado About Nothing. This work was transcribed from full score to violin and piano in record time by the composer himself so as to extend the run of a Shakspearean theatrical production in 1920, for which he also played the piano part.
Also included is Mozart's sonata in E minor, one of the few works in a minor key. Showing his more sorrowful side, this work is thought to reflect Mozart's grief over his mother's death. And finally, Brahms’ much loved G major sonata, full of warmth, tenderness and reflection. A much-needed breath of fresh air.
Performed by Phoenix Collective’s Artistic Director, Dan Russell on violin and Dr Edward Neeman (Juilliard/ ANU) on piano.
“The version performed by Russell and Neeman was an exquisite experience...a grand conclusion, with the two musicians uniting in a triumphant finale.” - J. Gall, Canberra Times
“When both combined the music sparkled and whispered” - R. Kennedy, City News
The Juliet Letters
Phoenix Collective Quartet & Jacqui Dark
November 26th - 28th
A song cycle for voice and string quartet written by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet.
“So there was this professor in Verona who answered letters addressed to Juliet [Capulet]....
Well, if that sounds like the start of a tall story I suppose it is… Quite how he came by these letters in the first place remains unclear. We can only make a guess as to their content. After all, these people were writing to an imaginary woman, and a dead imaginary woman at that.” - Elvis Costello
These are those letters, in song form, sung by internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, multiple Helpmann award and Green Room award winner, principal artist with Opera Australia and cabaret superstar, Jacqueline Dark, together with the Phoenix Collective Quartet.
12th November 2021
The Priest, the Intellect, the eccentric & the Pirate
Phoenix Collective Baroque
Vivaldi | Bach | Biber | Pandolfi
This concert was canceled in 2020 due to Covid and then again in August this year. This special, one-off performance is for Canberra audiences only.
Phoenix Collective’s Baroque concerts are diverse and unique. Works by master composers such as J.S Bach and Vivaldi but also featuring fascinatingly ‘out-there and unknown’ composers like Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber and Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli.
“Pandolfi was on the run, having killed a famous castrato in a duel over an argument. It’s also said that most of his music has been lost forever.”
November 5th - 7th 2021
Tales of War
Phoenix Collective Quartet
Shostakovich (No.8) | Barber (Adagio) | Hisaishi (Princess Mononoke)
Turmoil, tension, destruction and death. Why have humans turned to war, when the outcome is so bleak? This powerful program explores sadness, greed, human nature, mother nature, fascism, freedom and the enduring human spirit.
Covid-19 has rescheduled this concert four times, now PCQ are ready to deliver this epic saga. String quartets by Shostakovich, Barber (aka Adagio for Strings) and Joe Hisaishi’s Princess Mononoke (Studio Ghibli).
"to the victims of fascism and the war" - Dimitri Shostakovich
March 5th - 8th 2021
Knife in the Boot
Phoenix Collective Tango Quartet
Our first concert of 2021, Knife in the Boot, features Maggie Ferguson, founder of TangoOz and a legend in her own right. With Maggie on bandoneon, Edward Neeman on piano, Isabella Brown on Double Bass and PC director & violinist Dan Russell; the ensemble will explore early and traditional works from the birthplace of Tango, Buenos Aires and works by the father of Nuevo Tango, Astor Piazzolla.
Not the usual Hollywood, rose-in-the-teeth, but the knife in the boot style of Tango.
Canberra, Sydney & Central Coast concerts SOLD OUT
14 - 21 Nov 2020
Songs & Folk
Price | Dvořák | Nordic, Australian & Irish Folk | Borodin
This final concert for the year celebrates the human spirit, the music of the people. Composers have always incorporated folk music into their work. What is it that makes it folk music? Simplicity, purity or a unique style? Perhaps time - for it to be passed down through the generations. Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure, it brings us together, inspires you to dance and love life itself. Come on a journey, exploring traditional music from Australia, Ireland, America, Czech, Scandinavia and Russia.
Canberra & Central Coast SOLD OUT performances.
27 Sep 2020
Maîtres de la Composition
Maurice Ravel | César Franck
Phoenix Collective presents a recital of French masters. Pianist Dr Edward Neeman (Juilliard School/ ANU) teams up with Violinist, Dan Russell (Artistic Director, Phoenix Collective) Academic, impressionistic, subtle and refined, hear the exquisite, colourful and almost Jazzy soundscapes of French composition. Maurice Ravel’s exquisite Sonata in G and the crowning jewel of the violin and piano repertoire, César Franck’s Sonata in A . Both performances SOLD OUT.
14 - 23 Feb 2020
Intricate Machines
Pärt | Dvořák | Reich | Bach | Wallen Huff
A concert inspired by mechanics, wheels, cogs, precision, construction and repetition. An ode to the industrial revolution, the hum of a busy city and drive of a locomotive. Experience the complexity of Reich's 'Different Trains' for CD and live quartet, Pärt's mesmerising 'Fratres', Bach's 'Art of Fugue' and Dvořák's masterpiece 'The American' string quartet.
Also featured in this concert is the Australian Premiere of Sarah Wallin Huff's Anima Mechanicae - Soul of the Machine. Written in 2007 and first performed in 2011 throughout southern California. It debuted in England in 2014 at a concert in Devon and in the same year was recorded by the New England String Quartet.
“Dedicated to the Computers and Robots of the Future, Who Long to Dream as the Humans Do.” - Sarah Wallin Huff
21 - 24 NOV 2019
Ye Olde England
Pianist Dr Edward Neeman (Juilliard School) teams up with Violinist, Dan Russell (Artistic Director, Phoenix Collective) for a recital from Ye Olde England. Calm, restful works evoking scenes of lush green pastures and mother England. Violin and piano sonatas by Delius and Elgar pave the way for one of the most exquisite works in the violin repertoire, The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
15 - 22 SEP 2019
Freedom & Equality
A concert of identity, balance and harmony - Phoenix Quartet
Presenting the string quartets of cutting-edge American composer, Jennifer Higdon, alongside masters Haydn, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky. Music from a time when life seemed straightforward; from deceptively simple arrangements to more complex structures that assign parts equal importance. Music to release a woman driven by a man to acts of insanity; music that liberates closet homosexuality and unacceptance; and melodies that brought Tolstoy to tears amid depression. What positive can come from this? Some of the best chamber music ever written.
Music to free the soul.
9 - 19 MAY 2019
The Baroque Bizarre
Performed by The Phoenix Baroque Trio, this concert will highlight the quirky, intoxicating and virtuosic nature of the Baroque: great works by master composers BACH and VIVALDI, and just as impressive works by lesser-known composers CASTELLO, BIBER and SCHMELZER.
This is an eclectic program exploring the realms of tone colour, experimentation and virtuosity. Featured in this concert are a newly restored Tyrolean violin (c1750) set up with gut strings; a French violin (c1850) with scordatura set-up and crossed strings for Biber’s Resurrection Sonata, all tuned at A 415 Hz. This presents an intriguing contrast to the second half, played on a Cremonese Italian violin (2009) and tuned at A 440 Hz. Also featured is the Central Coast Conservatorium’s French double manual harpsichord by Australian maker, Carey Beebe. This concert invites comparisons between different instruments and contrasts playing styles and period performances of the 17th and 18th centuries and the more romanticised 19th and 20th centuries.
24 FEB - 7 MAR 2019
Love, Life & Death
The Phoenix Quartet is a premier string quartet that performs in Sydney, Central Coast and Canberra. Launched by Charmian Gadd at Crossroads Festival where they performed Schubert’s masterpiece ‘Death & The Maiden’ in 2018. Its members come from the ranks of national and international orchestras such as Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, Canberra Symphony, Sydney Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Kammer Philharmonie Köln, Boston Symphony, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, naming a few.
Quartets by Philip Glass, Mozart, Turtle Island & Beethoven reflecting different stages in life.
2-9 december 2018
Tango Origins & Passion
'Tango Origins & Passion' features Maggie Ferguson, A legend in her own right, on bandoneon, Katie Robinson on piano and PC director & violinist Dan Russell. The ensemble will explore early and traditional works from the birthplace of Tango, Buenos Aires and works by the father of Nuevo Tango, Astor Piazzolla.
22-23 september 2018
Heart & Soul
‘Heart & Soul’ music for guitar and violin. Accomplished national and international performers, Dan Russell (violin) and Anthony Garcia (guitar) come together to perform rearranged and semi-improvised works, especially for this event. Dr Anthony Garcia (PhD in improvisation, UTas) brings understanding of music as a universal language and works as Artistic Director of Sounds Across Oceans. The audience will be mesmerized by virtuosic hybrids and tonal colour that combine to produce dreamy soundscapes; and rhythmically driven, dance-like passages. Also featuring works by BACH, PIAZZOLLA, BERGMÜLLER and PAGANINI.
17-24 june 2018
Excitement & Flair
‘Excitement & Flair’ features music from the Baroque period brought to life on a magnificent French double-manual harpsichord built by Australian instrument maker Carey Beebe. Accomplished national and international performers Dan Russell (violin); Christian Lillicrap (harpsichord); and Andrew Wilson (cello) come together to perform masterworks from the Italian and German Baroque period by Tartini, Corelli, Biber, Vivialdi and J.S. Bach. The audience will be thrilled by both fast, virtuosic playing, and rich, sublime melodies by timeless composers.
24-25 MARCH 2018
Charm & Tradition
'Charm & Tradition' features Carl Schmidt on piano and Dan Russell
on violin. Audiences can expect to enjoy the sublime serenity of Arvo Pärt's Fratres, Mozart's not-so-common sorrowful side in his E minor sonata, Brahms' passionate Scherzo and to finish with, the crowning jewel of the violin and piano repertoire, Cesar Franck' sonata in A, a work
full of beauty, passion and love. Written as a wedding present and first performed in 1886 by the famous concert violinist, Eugène Ysaÿe.