One of the music festival highlights of the year, the 2024 Albury Chamber Music Festival, has just been launched, first in Albury and then at the beautiful Camberwell home, “Asolat”. If the Melbourne “tastings” of the musical menu are any indication, this year’s Festival will certainly be one to savour.
With “Beyond Borders” as the theme, the program features works and performers from a host of countries – something for everyone. For the launch at “Astolat” on May 5, the Polish ingredient was featured in the form of Chopin played by renowned Melbourne pianist, Konrad Olszewski. Violinist Roy Theaker joined him for some Massenet and John Bolton Wood wowed the crowd with a special birthday song.
And speaking of performers who make sure a good time is had by all: Festival Artistic Directors Sally-Anne Russell and Mario Dobernig are just the ones to bring a sense of fun to all possible occasions. Their imagination, wit and warmth always creates a welcoming, friendly atmosphere, and during Festivals past, unexpected hilarity has been introduced at dinner-time. As serious musicians, they have curated an extensive, diverse program performed by some of our leading musicians. Due to high demand, performances are repeated; the following details of the first Session look very appetising indeed.
Further information, including accommodation/restaurant options and try booking links can be found on the Festival website www.alburychambermusicfestival.com.au
The following information is part of the Festival’s media release:
Albury Chamber Music Festival 8,9,10 November 2024
3 DAYS 10 CONCERTS 4 VENUES
CHAMBER MUSIC HEAVEN
This year, we truly are the Albury International Chamber Music Festival, with artists and compositions from over 30 countries! We are crossing borders left, right and centre (even from Albury to Wodonga) to present a superb platter of chamber music, including fresh new works by eight Australian composers – with three world premieres! Expect the unexpected: little surprises, pop up performances, exotic animals an Al-BRIE food pop-up. And if you come on your own, no worries, we can pretty much guarantee that you will leave Albury with a couple of new musical friends!
Your all-inclusive festival pass gives you access to ten exciting performances at the beautiful deco heritage-listed Regent Cinema, St Matthew’s Church, and the jewel in the crown, the Adamshurst ballroom. A sumptuous three-course dinner (valued at $100) at the exclusive Albury Club Gala performance is also included in your pass.
ACMF | 24, let’s go!
FRIDAY, 8 November 2024
Australia, Bulgaria, England, Germany, Latvia, New Zealand, Poland, United States of America
Session 1, Performance 1
St Matthew’s Church, 2:00pm-3:00pm
It is hard to match Beethoven but Leonard Bernstein got very close. He was a true cross-border artist, merging classical and jazz, and West Side Story was his masterpiece. The Australian String Trio (and friend) will let rip in the Beethoven, while piano virtuosos Stephen de Pledge and Konrad Olszewski will groove like hell, with our percussionists demonstrating why they are called the groove-ministers.
Austria, Bulgaria, England, France, Latvia, Poland, New Zealand
Session 1, Performance 2, Gala Dinner-Food World
The Albury Club, 6:00pm-9:00pm
An entertaining evening of music with our festival orchestra and a delicious three-course meal from the Albury Club will make life beautiful.
What will happen this year? A xylophonist in Lederhosen, a singing priest, an alpaca, a Malteser race, a Limerick Competition? You’ll find out on the night, as always, expect the unexpected.
Venezuela, Spain
Session 1, Performance 3, A Venezuelan Candlelight Delight-Harpist Glavier Aldana
St Matthew’s Church, 9:30pm
A graduate of the world renowned El Sistema music training program in Venezuela, Glavier will serenade us into the night and talk about her musical upbringing.
SATURDAY, 9 November 2024
Australia, Italy, France
Session 1, Performance 4, Organ Recital-Antonio di Vacanza aka Anthony Halliday
St Matthew’s Church, 9:00am-10:00am
A former winner of the ABC Young Performer award, Beethoven fanatic and italophile, Anthony Halliday has ORGANised audiences around the world but still calls Australia home. Festival guests are also invited to submit their favourite tunes, which Anthony will improvise on during his performance. The catch, Anthony will only receive the tunes one minute prior to his performance…. Get creative!
SCOTLAND/NEW ZEALAND
Session 1, Performance 5, Admiring Mairi-Radio presenter Mairi Nicholson
Regent Cinemas Albury, 10:45am-11:45am
She interviews the stars on the ABC and the BBC, she shares their stories. For this event we are turning the tables with legendary radio presenter Mairi Nicholson answering our questions.
France, New Zealand, Poland
Session 1, Performance 6, Fantasy World: Stephen de Pledge, piano
St Matthew’s Church, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Flags: Armenia, Australia , Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Indigenous, Latvia, Venezuela, USA
Session 1, Performance 7, Berio Folk Songs
Adamshurst Ballroom, 5:00pm-6:00pm
From all the places on earth we come, and we’ve brought our music with us! This performance will be a musical mish-mash from everywhere! Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, French, Italian, Latvian, Venezuelan, Indigenous Australian and of course Australian from Pakenham and Wang(aratta).
SUNDAY, 10 November 2024
Australia, Scotland
Session 1, Performance 8, Paradise Bound
St Matthew’s Church, 9:00am-10:30am
We crossed some borders, we looked beyond them, so what else is there to see? We leave the earth behind and see what paradise looks like. Fr Peter Macleod-Miller will be your tour guide.
Australia, England, New Zealand, Poland
Session 1, Performance 9, English Folk Song Journey with Teddy Tahu Rhodes
Adamshurst Ballroom, 12:00pm-1:00pm
With engagements around the world, we are so thrilled to have Teddy Tahu Rhodes join us in Albury. Burnished, breathtaking, bass baritone sounds are guaranteed and with Konrad Olszweski on the piano a musical feast is guaranteed.
Session 1 Brass and Brie 1:15pm-2:00pm
Join our friends from across the border for a cheese platter of brie. Yum yum.
Wodonga Brass Band with Fenella O’Sullivan, conductor
Session 1, Performance 10, Global Rhythms: The Mathiske Suites
Guitar virtuoso ACMF Chamber Orchestra.
St Matthew’s Church, 3:00pm-4:00pm
The Mathiske Suites combines the guitarist’s technical acumen and lust for travel. Whilst predominantly classical in structure, the music is coloured from a wide palette of global rhythms with orchestral laced colours in an enchanting music feast rich in rhythm yet steeped in tender melodies.
Australian Composers
Brett Anthony Jones – Solo Percussion (Berio) (WP)
Jodie O Regan – Solo Voice (Church)
Bruce Mathiske – Mathiske Suites
Andrew Goodwin – For God So loved the World (WP Lux)
William Schmidt – The Christmas Rose (WP Lux)
Noel Fidge – The Concieted Dancer John Bolton Wood W (WP)
Brenda Gifford – Mungala – Sally Walker
Michael Leighton Jones – An Irish Blessing
