Keith Hempton presents a fine tribute to the art of the Eastern Catalan-born pianist, Martha Argerich. Argerich plays two monumental works: The Piano Quintet in G minor in G minor by Dmitri Shostakovich and Robert Schumann’s Fantasy Pieces Op 88.

David Brennan begins with the invigorating Festival Overture (1944) by Hugo Alfven which is a peasant and dancing folk melody introduced by the bassoons and then spreads to the rest of the orchestra. It is a wonderful start to what is to follow throughout the program. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Nicholas Willen. Josef Suk was one of the leading composers of the early 1900s. His late romantic Fantasy in D minor Op 24 (1903) owes its compositional roots to Brahms and Dvorak. It is an adventurous and fiercely dramatic work with some pastoral interludes Julia Fischer, violin Orchestra Philharmonique de Monte Carlo Yakov Kreizberg, conductor Ernest Bloch’s Piano Quintet No 2 (1957) is a tempestuous 3-movement work with a relentless rhythmic vitality. It will be given an all-Australian performance: Piers Lane, piano and the Goldner String Quartet. Aaron Copland had a talented and individual style right from the start of his musical career. The Dance Symphony (1929) works its way to a frenzy in a finale that anticipates the mature composer of the 1940s. It will be played by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. But that is not all. The program concludes with two masterpieces by Mendelssohn: The Symphony No 4 ‘Italian’ and the Venetian Gondola Song. Much to look forward to!

This edition of Australian Musicians, presented by Philip Virgo, highlight the ensemble known as Selby and Friends which began by introducing music to children at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney in 1988. Today it gives concerts and has assumed a role mentoring young musicians. It has received stunning reviews from audiences and critics alike. We will listen to Selby and Friends play, ‘This Mirror Has Three Faces Piano Trio No 2 by the gifted Russian-American composer, Lera Auerbach. This work explores the dramatic, ritualistic side of music. Following that Selby and Friends will play Robert Schumann’s Piano Trio No 3 in G minor Op 110 which was premiered in 1852 with Clara Schumann at the piano. Finally, we will hear the First Movement of Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor Op 15. All in all, a great program to tune into.

Keith Hempton presents a sublime set of three groups of reflective works. Monteverdi’s Vespers is probably the most popular ‘piece’ of early seventeenth century sacred music today. They are designed to be ‘dipped into’ rather than listened to from beginning to end. Some of them will appear in this program presented by Cantus Coln directed by Konrad Junghanel. When Bach the position of Kantor at St Thomas Church at Leipzig he joined a long line of musicians in the position. We will hear works by Schein, Schelle and Kuhnau. Cantus Coln is directed by Konrad Junghanel. Finally, we will hear ‘Let mine Eyes, Blessed are They’ by Purcell. Where communication of emotion is important the Ensemble William Byrd usually uses the single voice. This permits the personality of each singer and the colour of each voice to heighten the emotional intensity of the text. The Ensemble William Byrd is directed by Graham O’Reilly.

Ian Johnston presents a dynamic line-up of chamber works. Franz Ignaz Danzi’s Quintet for Piano and Winds Op 41 (1810) is an all- time favourite. Danzi was working at a time that was impacted by the music giants, Mozart and Beethoven Their Quintets served as his models. It is a tuneful, playful and charming work. Christian Thie Hedland, piano, is accompanied by the OSLO Kammerakademie. Joseph Martin Kraus was known as the Swedish Mozart. Joseph Haydn considered him to be a genius. Kraus’s String Quartet in D major op 1 (1784) will be played by the Schuppanzigh Quartet. Franz Paul Lachner was a younger friend of Schubert. He became a musical celebrity. He was also influenced by Beethoven. Unfortunately his compositions are little-known today. Lachner’s Septet in E flat major for Strings and Winds (1824) will be played by Ensemble Villa Musica. George Onslow composed in many genres but he is remembered principally today for his 35 String Quintets and 34 String Quartets. Onslow’s String Quintet No 21 in G minor Op 51 (1834) is an exciting work and one of the composer’s best. This great work will be played by Manuel van der Nahmer, cello with the Diogenes Quartet.