July, 2015
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TOGETHER WITH COUNTRY ARTS SA PRESENT
‘THE BEST OF BRITISH’
A tour with Alexander Sitkovetsky and ACO2
“The collective sound of ACO2 is exquisite and homogenous, a tribute to the musicians of the Australian
Chamber Orchestra, who have sought these rare talents”. Sydney Morning Herald
“ACO2 is breathing pure musical oxygen. If you’re looking for the finest young string players in this country
and, most probably well beyond, this is where you will find them.” The Australian Stage
“Sitkovetsky has a terrific technique to be sure, but his confident, entirely natural musicianship, is what sets
him apart from the crowd.” Gramophone Magazine
Bringing together the best of Australia’s young emerging classical musical talent, ACO2 is set to
commence its ‘The Best of British’ August tour led by acclaimed guest director and lead violinist
Alexander Sitkovetsky.
‘The Best of British’ tour draws on a rich body of British compositions from the Baroque period
through to the 20th century, combining much-loved music by Handel, Purcell, Holst and Britten
with the exquisite violin concerto by Sir Andrzej Panufnik, a highly respected 20th-century
composer and conductor who escaped communist controlled Poland in the 1950s to make the UK
his home.
Rob Stobbe, CEO of Country Arts SA principal corporate partner, SA Power Networks said, “ACO2
connects the elite musicians of the ACO with Australia’s most talented young professional musicians
at the outset of their careers, creating a combined ensemble with a fresh, energetic performance
style. We’re certainly looking forward to hearing these young musicians take on some of the best
compositions from the UK.”
ACO2 is the critically acclaimed string ensemble that delivers the Australian Chamber Orchestra
(ACO)’s regional touring and education programs. It connects the elite musicians of the ACO with
Australia’s most talented young professional musicians at the outset of their careers, creating a
combined ensemble with a fresh, energetic performance style. In 2015, ACO2 is showcasing the
talents of emerging artists Harry Bennetts, Madeleine Jevons, Amy Brookman (violins), Martin
Alexander (viola), Ruben Palma (cello) and Aurora Henrich (double bass).
For talented South Australian violinist, Monique Lapins, being able to perform with the ACO2 in front
of her home state is rewarding. Monique, who grew-up in Adelaide and who has performed with
the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, Elder Chamber Orchestra and the Elder Conservatorium Orchestra, is
a recipient of numerous music awards including the Beryl Kimber Bach Prize, The Eisteddfod String
Concerto Competition, The Elder Conservatorium Junior Violin Concerto and the Young Composers
Award, Australian Society for Music Education.
"I'm thrilled to be able to perform with ACO2 and Alexander Stikovetsky. For me, this ensemble has
not only been a foundation to my musical education but an inspiration to music making! To perform
back home in Adelaide with this fantastic group is always a reward. I am looking forward to taking
audiences on a musical journey under the direction of maestro Alexander Stikovetsky," said Lapins.
Described by The Guardian as a man whose performances are ‘brilliantly fiery and energetic’, guest
director Alexander Sitkovetsky is one of Russia’s leading award-winning violinists who has been
thrilling audiences around the world with his flawless technique. His own recording of Panufnik’s
violin concerto in 2014 was voted by Musicweb as the CD of the year and won an International
Classical Music Special Achievement Award. Australian audiences will now have the rare
opportunity to hear it performed live, accompanied by the superb talents of ACO2.
ABOUT ACO2
Established in 2007, ACO2 connects the next generation of talented young Australian musicians with the stars
of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, creating a combined ensemble with a fresh, energetic performance
style. Delivering the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s regional tours and education programs, ACO2 has
visited more than 70 regional centres throughout Australia. The ensemble offers the opportunity for
audiences in these areas to experience the ACO’s trademark high-octane performance style.
ABOUT ALEXANDER SITKOVETSKY
Making his concerto debut at the age of eight, Alexander Sitkovetsky (a relative of violinist–conductor Dmitry
Sitkovetsky) comes from an established musical family. Studying at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School
in England, Sitkovetsky has gone on to perform with all Europe’s leading orchestras. including the Royal
Philharmonic, the London Mozart Players, Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin, the European Union Chamber
Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the Lithuanian Chamber
Orchestra, the St Petersburg Symphony and the BBC Concert Orchestra, among many others.
Chamber music has always been very important to Alexander. He is a founding member of the Sitkovetsky
Piano Trio with pianist Wu Qian and cellist Leonard Elschenbroich. The Trio has won various prizes including
the Mecklenburg Vorpommern Kammermusik Prize and has performed all over the UK and Europe including
at the Frankfurt Alte Opera, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Wigmore Hall in London.
Sitkovetsky returns for the second time to Australia, after critical acclaim for his recent 2014 tour with the
award-winning Sitkovetsky Trio.This season, Alexander will also make his debut in Brussels, Poznan, Santa
Cruz in Bolivia and in St Petersburg, as well as going on two nationwide tours of the UK with the Brussels
Philharmonic and the St Petersburg Symphony.
ACO2 The Best of British Sir Robert Helpmann - Friday, 28 August 7:30pm
Adults $44 Adult Friend $40
Concession $40 Concession Friend $36
Under 17 FREE [with paying adult] additional under 17 $17
Groups 6+ $40 Book at countryarts.org.au
Program
HANDEL Concerto Grosso in G major, HWV 319, Op.6 No.1
PURCELL Chaconne for Strings in G minor
PANUFNIK Violin Concerto
HOLST St Paul's Suite
BRITTEN Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Media enquiries: Joy Lothian [email protected] or (08) 8444 0417 / 0423 828 035
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