Acacia Quartet and International Guests to Tour Riverina and South-West NSW
Top left: Emile Cantor (Photography by Susanne Diesner). Bottom left: Laurentiu Sbarcea (Photography by Susanne Diesner). Members of Acacia Quartet follow on the right Lisa Stewart, Stefan Duwe, Doreen Cumming, Anna Martin-Scrase (Photography by Martin Ollman).
An Australian audience favourite, Acacia Quartet, paired with phenomenal international guests, Emile Cantor and Laurentiu Sbarcea, form an incomparable string sextet that will tour the Riverina and South-West NSW this April.
Performing two of the most beautiful and well-loved string sextets, Dvorak's Op. 48 and Brahms' Op. 36, this tour also includes the world premiere of a new work from Australian composer Lyle Chan.
Heading into their third year, Music in the Regions has made its mark on regional NSW, successfully touring world class classical music from Nundle to Deniliquin; with this itinerary comprised of primarily new locations for the organisation. Stopping in Deniliquin, Tocumwal, Griffith, Leeton, and Tarcutta, these will be the first international artists to tour with Music in the Regions.
Music in the Regions General Manager and Producer, Ian Whitney, said: “It’s very exciting for Music in the Regions to be able to share the fantastic regional audiences we meet at our concerts with Emile and Laurentiu. The warmth and generosity of the audiences we meet on the road make our work special, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet one another in places like Tocumwal and Tarcutta.”
Second Violinist of Acacia Quartet, Doreen Cumming said: “As residents of regional NSW, we are passionate about bringing the best to our friends and neighbours and this tour will definitely not disappoint. From the stunning romantic beauty of Brahms and Dvorak’s sextets to premiering a new work from Lyle Chan, Australian composer and close friend of the Acacia Quartet, these concerts will showcase the deep musical connection for which the Acacia Quartet is renown.”
Sextets will begin with Dvorak's only string sextet, Op. 48, written as Dvorak's career began to truly flourish. With strong folk influences, particularly evident in the second movement, this lively work will leave you with a powerful sense of optimism.
Following is Lyle Chan’s exciting new work, which serves as a bridge to these two well-known compositions through the theme of friendship. Lyle Chan said: “When I learned that my new piece would be programmed between the sextets by the close friends Brahms and Dvorak, I knew right away what my job was – to provide a modern music that contrasted with their sumptuous romantic sounds and be a pleasurable change of mood, yet without breaking the magical spell that their music weaved.”
“Above all, their friendship expands to become the theme of the concert and my new piece taps into that — Acacia Quartet have been my closest musical collaborators, and we bring new friends to each other all the time. I feel like my music’s role is to invite their two friends, Emile and Laurentiu, into a great conversation that we’ve been having for years.”
Sextets will then conclude with Brahms Op. 36. The second of Brahms’ sextets, which begins to outline his most recognisable style. Mostly written in the German countryside, this work will feel familiar, outlining the beauty of NSW's regional backdrop across the tour.
Acacia Quartet and International Guests Emile Cantor and Laurentiu Sbarcea will perform Sextets at:
DENILIQUIN: 3pm, Saturday 20 April at and in partnership with South West Music Regional Conservatorium.
TOCUMWAL: 3pm, Sunday 21 April at and in partnership with Tocumwal War Memorial Hall.
GRIFFITH: 7pm, Wednesday 24 April at and in partnership with St Alban’s Cathedral Griffith.
LEETON: 7pm, Friday 26 April at and in partnership with Leeton Museum and Art Gallery.
TARCUTTA: 2pm, Sunday 28 April at Tarcutta Memorial Hall in partnership with Wagga Wagga City Library.