In the face of tragedy comes beauty - Elgar's Cello Concerto.
Acclaimed Dutch cellist Teije Hylkema is the guest artist at Omega Ensemble's third concert in their 2016 Virtuoso Series - Elgar's Cello Concerto.
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Announcing the recording of Omega Ensemble's Debut Album
George Palmer writes 'The opening movement of this work is about the affection of good friends.' Clarinetests Dimitri Ashkenazy and David Rowden first met at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music during a master class and have remained good friends ever since.
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Beethoven's Seventh / Omega Ensemble→
The opening movement was delivered with a robust energy which made the most of the contrasts between solo, small group and tutti passages. In the slow movement flautist Lisa Osmialowski displayed subtle legato playing over a warm cushion of lower instruments
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Omega Ensemble @ City Recital Hall - Beethoven's Seventh→
What was striking however, was the clarity of the sound, the high levels of musicianship and the impressive way in which this group filled a large venue that I’m used to hearing much larger ensembles perform at.
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Omega Ensemble give Beethoven favourite a Klezmer workout.→
Rowden and John Lewis’s clarinets chirped in the scherzo over the burbling bassoons and the horns rang out their joyful calls in the last movement.
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Breakfast with Gerard Willems
Your chance to win a personally signed copy of The Beethoven-Willems complete box set including Bonus DVD which features 36 piano sonatas, 5 piano concertos and Diabelli Variations.
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The Wind Beneath Your Wings
Omega Ensemble’s next performance is not a rendition of the Bette Midler tear-jerker, but Beethoven’s Seventh. With a 9-piece Wind Ensemble this arrangement is certainly a unique and complex rendition of the timeless masterpiece. The performance will feature two Oboes, two Clarinets, two French Horns, two Bassoons and a Contabasson. That’s certainly a lot of wind.
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Omega Ensemble @ The Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House→
David Rowden gave a commanding performance of the substantial material on offer. His virtuosic display was varied, covering beautiful tone and line through to dazzling bravura.
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Review: Omega Ensemble shined to a packed Utzon Room with a wonderful backdrop
The first movement features difficult runs on the piano in which the pianist, Maria Raspopova shone. The cello was prominent in the introspective Adagio while the clarinettist, David Rowden, shone in the finale, a set of variations on the above song.
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Review: Brahms and the Clarinet (Omega Ensemble)
The Brahms, of course, was the main fare of the afternoon and the Ensemble combined tightly and impressively throughout its four movements. Perhaps the best description of this work is contained in Eusebius Mandyczewski's letter to Brahms: “It’s as though the instruments were in love with each other.” That feeling certainly came across in this performance.
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Introducing Ben Hoadley, part of the Omega Ensemble family in more ways than one.
Ben Hoadley, Bassoonist and Composer talks about working with Omega Ensemble. Don't miss the world premiere of his new work 'Four Preludes' on Sunday 29 May 2016 at the Utzon Room Sydney Opera House.
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At home with David Rowden and Ludwig van Beethoven
Sam Cottell catches up with the Artistic Director of Omega Ensemble, David Rowden in his home to talk to about concert programming, Beethoven and the intimate appeal of Omega Ensemble’s concerts.
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Review: Lee Abrahmsen and Omega Ensemble at the Melbourne Recital Centre
Rowden’s even velvety tone and musical shaping coupled with Raspopova’s responsive and assured accompaniment made it a constant pleasure.
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Review: Four Last Songs
This was a stand-out delivery from a difficult work and demonstrated Omega’s ability at navigating the most difficult and tricky musical passages, while at the same time making them seem the easiest thing in the world.
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Review: Selby and Friends and Omega Ensemble deliver magical sounds at City Recital Hall
"Soprano soloist Lee Abrahmsen was the brightest of the many highlights in Omega's meaty program of Wagner, Mahler and Strauss."
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Review: Lee Abrahmsen shines with Omega Ensemble
"You would think with a piece of this complexity a conductor would be necessary but the ensemble handled it magnificently without. It always felt secure and tight. The piece was a lot of fun; congratulations both to Ford and the ensemble. It deserves to be part of the repertoire, I hope to hear it again some time."
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Review: Four Last Songs - Omega Ensemble and Lee Abrahmsen
It was a tremendously sophisticated performance by pianist Maria Raspopova, violinist Ike See, violist Neil Thompson and cellist Teije Hylkema. The ensemble was taut and the performance was inspired with a rapturous range of colour and dynamic.
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Dancing with Omega Ensemble and Andrew Ford
Andrew is accustomed to being the interviewer, Samuel Cottell turns the tables and interviews Andrew Ford on his new piece Contradance which will premiere at Omega Ensemble's performance on Wednesday 20 April 2016 at City Recital Hall. Find Out More.
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