Premieres and Commissions

A special collection of past performances and recordings of new works commissioned and/or premiered by FQ

  • BRENDA GIFFORD 1968-

    “Dissipate" (composed 2023)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support of FQ Syndicate #4:

    Linda Herd

    Sharon Nathani

    Julian Burnside AO KC

    Daniel Kirkham

    Sam and Elizabeth Golding

    Peter Kingsbury

    John and Sue Warburton

    Elise Callander

    Julie Kantor

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    This performance was filmed in the David Li Sound Gallery at Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC), 10 November 2023.

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Brigid Coleridge • guest violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

    •••

    Flinders Quartet is deeply grateful for the support of project partners:

    Creative Victoria

    City of Melbourne

    Creative Australia

    A big thank you to The Angior Family Foundation, whose generous support has made it possible for Flinders Quartet to studio record Brenda Gifford's work.

  • JULIAN YU 1957-

    J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations arranged for erhu and string quartet (composed 2020)

    Commissioned by Carrillo Gantner AC and Ziyin Gantner as part of The Myer Foundation’s Family Grant Program

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    This performance was filmed in the David Li Sound Gallery at Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC), 10 November 2023.

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Brigid Coleridge • guest violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

    with Dong Ma • erhu

    •••

    Flinders Quartet is deeply grateful for the support of project partners:

    Creative Victoria

    Creative Australia

    A big thank you to The Angior Family Foundation, whose generous support has made it possible for Flinders Quartet to studio record Julian Yu's work.

  • ANNE CAWRSE (1981-)

    “in spaces between” (composed 2019)

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 29 May 2023 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Elizabeth Sellars • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

    •••

    Flinders Quartet is deeply grateful for the support of project partners:

    Creative Victoria

    City of Melbourne

  • CLAIRE L. FARRELL (b. 1998)

    “fugue state” (composed 2022)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Dimity Reed and Garry Joslin

    http://clairefarrellmusic.com/about/

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 14 November 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • NATALIE NICOLAS (b. 1992)

    “A Blue Beethoven” (composed 2021)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from FQ Syndicate #2: Elizabeth and Sam Golding, Helen Murdoch & Macedon Music, Geoffrey Hayes, Marion and Michael Webster

    https://www.natalienicolas.com.au

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 14 November 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • CLAIRE HIGGINS (b. 1977)

    “Remnant #133” (composed 2021)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Richard Gubbins

    https://clairehigginscomposer.com

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 14 November 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • CLARE STRONG (b. 1992)

    “Tribute to LvB” (composed 2021)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from FQ Syndicate #3: Peter Kingsbury, John and Sue Warburton, Nicholas Garnham, Mark Vendy, Barry Jones AC and Rachel Faggetter

    https://clarecomposer.com

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 14 November 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • NAOMI BROWN (b. 1974)

    “Fractured Peace” (composed 2021)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from FQ Syndicate #1: Brad and Maggie Robinson, Patricia Speck, Daniel Kirkham, Vivienne Reed

    https://naomibrownmusic.com

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 14 November 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • MELODY EÖTVÖS (1984-)

    “Hope. Fear. Anything.” (composed 2022)

    Commissioned by John and Irene Garran

    I. Introduction

    II. Valedictions

    III. À Charles Thierry

    IV. Dimanche

    V. Interlude

    VI. À Florence Jeans

    VII. Salutations

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 30 May 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

    with Ashlyn Tymms • mezzo soprano

  • KATY ABBOTT (1971-)

    “Splitting the Ambivalence” (composed 2022)

    Commissioned by Flinders Quartet, supported by Kim Williams AM

    I. Artistry

    II. Fairy Palace (Heronswood)

    III. Dear ABC

    IV. Marriage (internal song)

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 30 May 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

    with Ashlyn Tymms • mezzo soprano

  • CLARA SCHUMANN (1819-1896)

    Prelude and Fugue, Op. 16, No. 1 and No. 3 (composed 1845)

    arranged for string quartet by JESSICA WELLS (1974-)

    •••

    Filming and editing • Agatha Yim, Polyphonic Pictures

    Engineering, editing and mastering • Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica

    Filmed 30 May 2022 in the Primrose Potter Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre

    FLINDERS QUARTET

    Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba • violin

    Wilma Smith • violin

    Helen Ireland • viola

    Zoe Knighton • cello

  • IAIN GRANDAGE (1970-) after FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
    "Puck's Dream (after Midsummer)" (composed 2018 / 1826)

    Filmed 26 July 2018 at Hawthorn Town Hall by 5stream

    We’ve always thought that if the mischievous Puck played an instrument, it would be the viola. Iain Grandage and Richard Piper created this masterpiece intertwining Mendelssohn’s music with Grandage’s original work and weaving the magic of Shakespeare throughout. In an incredible performance, Chris absolutely shone and was even approached by Melbourne Theatre Company following this performance to continue his newfound acting skills.

    THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA violin
    NICHOLAS WATERS violin
    HELEN IRELAND viola
    ZOE KNIGHTON cello
    CHRIS MOORE narrator / viola

    RICHARD PIPER director
    JIM ATKINS sound
    CLARE SPRINGETT lighting

    • • •

    Did you enjoy this piece? We think you’d love this performance: Brahms String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111

    Wasn’t your cup of tea? Try this one instead: Beethoven String Quartet No. 6 in B flat major, Op. 18, No. 6

  • CALVIN BOWMAN (1972-)
    "The Curly Pyjama Letters" (composed 2012)

    Filmed 26 July 2018 at Hawthorn Town Hall by 5stream

    Commissioned by dear friend and ardent concert goer/music lover Richard Gubbins, this setting to music of Leunig's iconic work is heartbreakingly poignant. Delivered with wit, sensitivity and grace by Chris Moore, this performance lives on in our memories.

    THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA violin
    NICHOLAS WATERS violin
    HELEN IRELAND viola
    ZOE KNIGHTON cello
    CHRIS MOORE narrator / viola

    RICHARD PIPER director
    JIM ATKINS sound
    CLARE SPRINGETT lighting

    • • •

  • ELENA KATS-CHERNIN (1957-)
    Piano Quintet No. 1 “The Offering” (composed 2015)

    Commissioned with support from Chris Arnold and Margot Costanzo

    Filmed September 2016 at Montsalvat Barn Gallery, Eltham by Batchedit

    SHANE CHEN violin
    NICHOLAS WATERS violin
    HELEN IRELAND viola
    ZOE KNIGHTON cello
    BENJAMIN MARTIN piano

    • • •

  • TOM HENRY (1971-)
    “Scenes from a Poet’s Life” for string quartet (composed 2015)

    Filmed October 2015 at Melbourne Recital Centre by Justin Batchelor

    Commissioned by Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne University, Tom managed to create a whole new world and landscape of sound for the string quartet. The piece pairs sounds in the most ingenious way. “Scenes from a Poet's Life” was recorded as part of an ABC Classics release, paired with Sculthorpe’s 18th string quartet and Elena Kats-Chernin’s piano quintet, “The Offering”.

    SHANE CHEN violin
    NICHOLAS WATERS violin
    HELEN IRELAND viola
    ZOE KNIGHTON cello

    • • •

LISTEN TO RECORDINGS

 

The FQ studio recordings showcased here include Spotify and Apple Music options your listening pleasure. You’ll need to be subscribed and signed into one of these music streaming services in order to listen to the full composition/movement.

DEBORAH CHEETHAM FRAILLON
"Bungaree"

Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Andrew Dixon, in memory of Jean and John Dixon

I. November 24
II. Kaaroo
III. Navigating the Truth

THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA violin
WILMA SMITH violin
HELEN IRELAND viola
ZOE KNIGHTON cello

Recorded December 2021 in the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank

ELLA MACENS
"A Love Worth Fighting For"

Commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Peter and Leila Doyle

THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA violin
WILMA SMITH violin
HELEN IRELAND viola
ZOE KNIGHTON cello

Recorded May 2021 in the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank

PETER SCULTHORPE
String Quartet No. 18

Jointly commissioned in 2010 by Edinburgh Festival for Tokyo String Quartet and Peter and Leila Doyle for Flinders Quartet

I. Prelude
II. A Land Singing
III. A Dying Land
IV. A Lost Land
V. Postlude

SHANE CHEN violin
NICHOLAS WATERS violin
HELEN IRELAND viola
ZOE KNIGHTON cello

Recorded June-July 2017 in Collins Street Baptist Church

RICHARD MILLS
String Quartet No. 4: Glimpses from My Book of Dada

Commissioned in 2010 with assistance from the Australia Council and dedicated to Flinders Quartet on their tenth birthday

I. The Circumspect Ibis
II. The Rise of the Airheads in Public Life
III. Rêve circulaire du wombat
IV. Rare Umbrella Dance of Molly Hourigan
V. Scheming and Latté Drinking
VI. The Octopus Quadrille
VII. Dulcie Holland Says No
VIII. Anti Tango from Berlin as Premonition of Invasion by Russian Herbalists
IX. Prayer for Nonna Thora

SHANE CHEN violin
NICHOLAS WATERS violin
HELEN IRELAND viola
ZOE KNIGHTON cello

Recorded June-July 2017 in Collins Street Baptist Church