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Premieres and Commissions

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

WATCH PERFORMANCES

  • 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

  • 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

    • • •

  • 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

    • • •

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.

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

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