Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Acclaimed soprano Lee Abrahmsen joins Omega Ensemble to perform heart-rending songs of farewell. The essence of Wagner’s revolutionary Tristan und Isolde is perfectly captured in excerpts skilfully arranged by Australian composer James Ledger. As Isolde grieves over the body of her soul-mate, her anguish and torment are conveyed in music both affecting and groundbreaking. Strauss’s Four Last Songs, written as the composer meditated on his inevitable and imminent death, are more wistful but no less hauntingly beautiful. A new work by Australian composer Andrew Ford and a rare gem from Mahler’s early years round out the program.

WAGNER Vorspiel und Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde arr. James Ledger
FORD Contradance (World Premiere commissioned by Steven Alward for Mark Wakely
MAHLER Piano Quartet in A minor
STRAUSS Four Last Songs arr. James Ledger

Guest Artist: Lee Abrahmsen (soprano)

Musicians: Lisa Osmialowski (flute/piccolo), Alex Fontaine (oboe), David Rowden (clarinet/bass clarinet), Ben Hoadley (bassoon/contra bassoon), Michael Dixon (horn), Maria Raspopova (piano), Ike See (violin), Anna McMichael (violin), Neil Thompson (viola), Stefan Duwe (viola), Teije Hylkema (cello), Paul Stender (cello), Alex Henery (double bass)

Featured non-Australian music: Wagner, Strauss

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured Australian Works

	Contradance : for 11 players (2015) by Andrew Ford — World premiere — performed by Omega Ensemble
	Four last songs; arr. : soprano with ensemble by James Ledger — performed by Omega Ensemble and Lee Abrahmsen
	Vorspiel und Isoldens liebestod; arr. : soprano with ensemble (2013) by James Ledger — performed by Omega Ensemble and Lee Abrahmsen

Featured artists

• Performer Omega Ensemble
• Performer Lee Abrahmsen