Below is a comprehensive listing of classical music concerts and performances in Melbourne. We believe this to be the most comprehensive listing of such performances in Melbourne available either on the web or in print.
You may also choose to list concerts featuring particular composers or instruments by using the drop-down menus
below.
If you are looking for concerts on a particular date, select the date from the drop-down box below.
What's on in Melbourne
Free Organ Recital
Get away from the city bustle and enjoy a free organ recital in historic St Michael's Church.
Performed by the resident harpist of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Michael Johnson, presenting music composed in the Gardens. This small and personal concert takes place in the graceful William Tell rest house next to the ornamental lake. Join Michael for a lyrical and soulful performance in the tranquillity of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate. Booking Essential Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
The young and glamorous French trio are named after a Chinese marble, rather
than the Spanish artist. With two of the great works from the piano trio
repertoire, White Hat suspects this may turn out to be a memorable concert.
The musicians that make up Songmakers Australia are Merlyn Quaife,
soprano, Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo-soprano and Nicholas Dinopoulos,
bass-baritone. They will be accompanied by pianist Andrea Katz in this
program made up of Other Love Songs by Stephen Hough and then Brahms'Neue Liebeslieder.
This free concert begins at 3pm and if you would like to attend, you must be
seated by 2:50, as the live broadcast begins at 3pm sharp.
A concert by the resident harpist of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Michael Johnson. Presenting music composed in the Gardens. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate. Bookings required. Tel: (03) 9252 2429 These concerts are held Indoors Every Sunday in winter except Sundays 29 July and 26 August 2pm –3pm $25 adults, $21 concession / friends, $10 child (6-17 years)
The Australian
String Quartet's second concert in their 2011 combines early Beethoven, late
Brahms and the Australian composer Brett Dean who will also be playing viola.
White Hat suggests that the richness of texture provided by the additional viola
should make this a particularly satisfying concert.
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 1 in
their 2012 subscription series.
Danielle de Niese with the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Danielle de Niese (soprano)
has long been on White Hat's list of
Significant Melbourne People.
She was born in Melbourne and won Young Talent Time aged 9,
then moved to Los Angeles, won an Emmy and made her debut with the LA Opera aged
15. She has blossomed into one of the hottest properties in opera, enrapturing
audiences in roles like Cleopatra, Euridice and Susanna at Glyndebourne, the
Metropolitan Opera and on screen.
To celebrate her professional debut in her home country, De Niese sings a
specially commissioned Australian work, which also marks the centenary of
Australia’s Nobel laureatePatrick White. The fireworks of
Mozart's Exsultate jubilatee
is contrasted Schubert's haunting song, Death and the Maiden.
The
Australian Chamber Orchestra (Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead
Violin) will then perform Schubert's masterly quartet (arranged for string
orchestra) which uses that same song as an inspiration.
Melbourne Town Hall Proms - Organ Classics at Town Hall
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Davis (conductor) and Cameron
Carpenter (organ)
The concert opens in Sir Andrew Davis’ own transcription of Bach’s
Passacaglia and Fugue in C
minor, for orchestra. This is followed by Poulenc's organ concerto - a
work well suited to show off the mighty Town Hall Organ - before finishing with
Brahms second symphony.
With
Michael Johnson on harp, and Matthew Arnold on violin. Featuring original
compositions and arrangements spanning Michael and Matthew's long musical
partnership, ranging back to the early nineties. Drawing influences from Ireland
, Wales, Scotland, Spain and South America.
Booking essential: 9761 9133 Full $30, Concession, $24 Under 16 yrs $18
8pm to 10.30pm, Saturday 23rd June 2012
Montrose Town Centre, 933 Mt Dandenong-Tourist Road Montrose
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Cameron Carpenter plays the Melbourne Town Hall Organ
Cameron Carpenter is a showman - and he is also a virtuoso organist. This
puts him in a great line of classical performer/showmen who were at the the top
of their craft. White Hat suggests that anyone interested in what a grand pipe
organ in the 19th century style (yes I know it was built in the 20th century)
should get themselves along to this concert. The program includes works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Doors open at 6.30pm
Two of the finest string quartets of the 20th century performed by one of the
world's most respected chamber groups. White Hat suggests that you attend both
of the Takács Quartet concerts if you can. That way you can hear the pair pair
of Janáček quartets and the Ravel & Debussy Quartets (often regarded as a
'pair') both separated across tow nights - in our opinion the best way to hear
them.
White Hat expects that this may well be on of the standout chamber music
concerts of the year in Australia. Debussy's delicate and atmospheric string
quartet together with Janáček's passionate first quartet both played by the
ensemble most acknowledge to be one of the finest string quartets in the world.
A rare treat. Two of what White Hat regards as the finest works in the chamber
music repetoire presented in the one concert. The Schubert
Trout Quintet is full of sunshine
and youthful optimism while Messiaen's Quartet for the
End of Time is, in White Hat's opinion, one of the great works of the
20th century. A prisoner of war, Messiaen wrote the Quartet for the End of Time for the
musicians he found in the camp, premiering it to an audience of inmates and
guards. “Never” he said, "was I listened to with such rapt attention and
comprehension."
Australian
Chamber Orchestra Principals are joined by clarinettist Paul Dean and
dynamic young pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar, making his Australian debut.The
performers are Helena Rathbone (violin), Christopher Moore (viola), Timo-Veikko
Valve (cello), Maxime Bibeau (double bass), Paul Dean (clarinet) and Saleem
Abboud Ashkar (piano).
White Hat suggests that if you want to become a world class a capella ensemble,
a good tsarting point is growing up singing Bach as boy sopranos in the Leipzig
church where Bach himself presided. Since that time Amacord have gone on to be
regarded as one of the finest male vocal ensembles in the world.
The Singing Club – Four Centuries of Song Renaissance madrigals, part-songs
by Schubert, Schumann, Elgar, Dvorák, Grieg and others, alongside folk songs
from around the world.
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra - Dazzling Virtuoso
Most people know of the surprising loud chord in Haydn's Surprise Symphony.
White Hat suggests that fewer people realise how surprising the opening three
notes by the soloist of Haydn's trumpet concerto were at the time. The
natural trumpet had
already become an accepted part of larger Baroque orchestras but, just like a
bugle, it could basically play fanfares - melodies only being possible at the
top of its range. By the end of the 18th century a
keyed trumpet had been
created to overcome this limitation. It was for this keyed trumpet and the same
particularly skilled player that both Haydn and Hummel wrote their trumpet
concertos. Hummel introduces the trumpet with a suitable fanfare flourish but
Haydn creates the real surprise by having the trumpet play the first three notes
of the major scale in the middle of its range. To see why this was such a
surprise go to The
White Hat Guide to Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.
The keyed trumpet never found widespread use in the orchestra and was
eventually replaced by the
valve trumpet. However Gabriele Cassone from Italy has become a
skilled performer on the keyed trumpet so when he joins with the
Australian
Brandenburg Orchestra (Artistic Director Paul Dyer) you know you are in for
a truly surprising concert.
White
Hat suggests that if you love unaccompanied singing you take several weeks off
work and visit "a cappella" - the annual international festival of
unaccompanied vocal music in Leipzig - where you will hear great a cappella
ensembles from around the world. If you don't have that time or cash to spare, a
much cheaper but highly satisfying option is to head along to this concert
performed by the ensemble who initiated the festival and who are recognised as
one of the finest male vocal ensembles in the world.
The Australian
Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director
and Lead Violin), Choir of Clare College, Cambridge (Graham Ross
Director), Lucy Crowe (soprano), Fiona Campbell (mezzo soprano),
Allan Clayton (tenor) Matthew Brook (bass)
White Hat has long believed that many modern performance of Beethoven
symphonies by large symphony orchestras lack the vitality and drive of a
performance by a first rate chamber orchestra - supplemented where necessary -
of the proportions that Beethoven was writing for For those who share this view
we suggest you look no further. Critics called the ACO's recent Beethoven
concert in London “the finest concert of the summer” and spoke of
“thrilling playing”, “vibrant drive” and “total involvement”,
concluding, “this compact chamber orchestra matches anything Europe can offer
in energy, precision and interpretative rigour.”
Joined by one of the finest British choirs this concert promises to be
something special where every note Beethoven wrote can be heard rather than lost
in a sea of overblown orchestral 'atmosphere'.
Messiaen
Prayer of Christ ascending towards his Father, from L’Ascension
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 2 in
their 2012 subscription series.
Hummel (1778 – 1837) Piano Trio No.7 in E-flat Major, Op.96
Paul Juon (1872 – 1940) Piano Trio No.3 in G Major, Op.60
Arno Babajanian (1921-1983) Piano Trio in F-sharp Minor
The
Kuss Quartet is a regular at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls and Shimizu was the
first female Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic so this concert promises
to deliver string quintet playing of the highest level
The Kuss Quartet is a regular at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls and Shimizu was
the first female Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic so this concert
promises to deliver string quintet playing of the highest level.
In
the early 17th century, Claudio
Monteverdi was one of of a handful of Italian composers pioneering a new
form of music drama which we know now as opera. His
L'Orfeo is one of the earliest
operas ever written and , in White Hat's opinion, still one of the best. It
calls on the full palette of the Renaissance orchestra as well as the virtuoso
vocal techniques of the time. This performance presents one of the rare
opportunities to hear it in Australia performed with period instruments. Markus
Brutscher fro will perform m Germany) Orfeo with international and
Australian guest artists and the
Australian
Brandenburg Orchestra (Artistic Director and conductor Paul Dyer)
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Christopher Seaman (conductor), Radovan
Vlatkovic (horn) and Oystein Baadsvik tuba.
This concert celbrates the tenth anniversary of the Melbourne International
Festival of Brass and two of the world’s great brass soloists join the MSO.
Framing the classic concertos for the horn and tuba are the brilliant,
folksong-inspired orchestral variations by Kodály and the stirring Enigma
Variations by Elgar. The Enigma is a particularly appropriate choice because of
the starring and virtuosic role Elgar assigns teh brass in his masterly
orchestration.Presented in collaboration with the Melbourne International
Festival of Brass.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Egarr (Guest Director, Harpsichord, Fortepiano)
and Satu Vänskä (Lead Violin)
Keyboard players, conductor, historian, and director of the Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr directs this concert from the harpsichord
and performs Mozart's delightful Piano Concerto No.12 on the fortepiano. White
Hat suggests you take the opportunity to hear the difference it make to have a
Mozart concerto played on the fortepiano rather than an overblown concert grand. Satu Vänskä is soloist in a Vivaldi concerto on the
ACO's
Stradivarius violin.
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 3 in
their 2012 subscription series.
Ballan Mechanics Institute Hall, 143 Inglis St. Ballan
-
Trio Anima Mundi- Transcription and Innovation
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 3 in
their 2012 subscription series.
Keith Humble Centre for Music and the Performing Arts - George Logie-Smith Auditorium, Geelong College Senior School, Aphrasia Street, Newtown
-
Trio Anima Mundi- Transcription and Innovation
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 3 in
their 2012 subscription series.
The
Australian Chamber Orchestra with
Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director and Lead Violin),
Steven Osborne
(piano) and David
Elton (trumpet).
Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir is one of his sunniest and most exuberant works
and Shostakovich's first piano concerto is full of pyrotechnics for the pianist
and accompanying trumpet. What is sometimes less recognised is that this work
calls for first rate string playing from the orchestra. For that reason, White
Hat suggests you take the opportunity to get along and hear it with one of the
best string ensembles in Australia - or any other country for that matter.
Beethoven's Kreutzer
Sonata is justifiably well-known and loved as one of the great works of
the violin sonata repertoire. However White Hat believes that
Debussy's Violin
Sonata, the last work he completed and the last that he performed in
public, is yet to be afforded the status it deserves by the public. This fine
pair of instrumentalists are sure to do them both justice.
Meets Tuesdays at Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills 7.45pm for rehearsals and holds up to 3 concerts year. String players are very welcome.
$65 and $45 term fees. Enquiries: 9877 5286
Beginner Strings
Feeder strings for the Surrey Hills Chamber Orchestra rehearse at Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills, Tuesdays at 6.15pm - 7.15pm. One years playing experience needed.
$40 term. Enquiries: 9434 2147
Forthcoming Events
These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".
The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival
A festival featuring classical and contemporary music.
Symphony under the Stars is a free outdoor concert that has become a summertime community tradition. Families and music-lovers are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the relaxed surrounds of the beautiful Malvern Gardens, whilst hearing and seeing the much acclaimed Stonnington Symphony orchestra live.
Choral@Montsalvat is a music-in-the-round choral festival. Fourteen choirs
will sing a variety of music, including the Latin-American Missa Criolla
and the African Missa Luba with colourful instrumental ensembles. The
final concert will invite audience participation in the VivaldiGloria led by
the two host choirs of the festival. $28 full, $22 concession, $12 child under
16, $65 family. Sunday May 3 2009, 12pm-5pm. Gates open at 9am.
White
Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the
highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the
people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late
Sidney Myer and performed in the
wonderful outdoor Music Bowl which he also contributed to the city.
These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 1 in
their 2012 subscription series.
With
Michael Johnson on harp, and Matthew Arnold on violin. Featuring original
compositions and arrangements spanning Michael and Matthew's long musical
partnership, ranging back to the early nineties. Drawing influences from Ireland
, Wales, Scotland, Spain and South America.
Most people know of the surprising loud chord in Haydn's Surprise Symphony.
White Hat suggests that fewer people realise how surprising the opening three
notes by the soloist of Haydn's trumpet concerto were at the time. The
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 2 in
their 2012 subscription series.
The
Kuss Quartet is a regular at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls and Shimizu was the
first female Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic so this concert promises
to deliver string quintet playing of the highest level
Trio
Anima Mundi is made up of three talented musicians - Kenji Fujimura (piano),
Rochelle Ughetti (violin) and Miranda Brockman (cello). This is Concert 3 in
their 2012 subscription series.
The
White
Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the
highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the
people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late
