Omega Ensemble: Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Omega Ensemble performs one of the masterpieces of the Late Romantic era, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with acclaimed Dutch cellist Teije Hylkema, Principal Cellist of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.

Omega Ensemble is  the City Recital Hall Ensemble in Residence and true to its style, its programme features diverse classical and contemporary works. David Rowden, Artistic Director and Founder of Omega Ensemble, describes the evening as a “concert of contrasts”. The programme opens with a new work, Riffraction, by Australia’s Mark Grandison followed by and French composer Guillaume Connesson’s contemporary work, Sextet, Mozart’s Fantasia in F minor and Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonietta. 

Elgar’s Cello Concerto was described by the great critic Neville Cardus as a “swan song of rare and vanishing beauty.” It is widely regarded as one of the composer’s finest works and a cornerstone of the solo cello repertoire. In an arrangement by English composer Iain Farrington, Omega Ensemble and Teije Hylkema’s performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, promises to be a highlight of the evening.

Teije Hylkema is the Principal Cellist of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Since moving to Australia in 2012 he has worked as a guest principal with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and collaborated with violinist Andrew Haveron, accordionist James Crabb, didgeridoo player William Barton and with Opera Queensland, Opera Victoria, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Dance North. Before moving to Australia, Teije was co-principal at the Radio Kamer Filharmonie, a Dutch orchestra specialising in baroque and modern repertoire.

Mark Grandison (b. 1965) studied composition with Richard Meale in Adelaide before moving to Sydney to become Director of Music at Kambala School. For Grandison, music education is a passion equal to his compositional pursuits and he writes works in equal measure for youth, community and professional groups. His commissions have reflected this diversity, such as his Sinfonietta for Sydney Youth Orchestra and his Violin Concerto for Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Teije Hylkema talks about Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

The programme: Grandison Riffraction/ Connesson Sextet / Mozart Fantasia in F minor, K. 608/ Britten Sinfonietta Op. 1 / Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 arr. Iain Farringdon

The players: Soloist Teije Hylkema (cello)

Lisa Osmialowski (flute), Matthew Bubb (oboe), David Rowden (clarinet), Ben Hoadley (bassoon), Michael Dixon (horn), Natsuko Yoshimoto (violin), Airena Nakamura (violin), Neil Thompson (viola), Paul Stender (cello), Alex Henery (double bass), Owen Morris (trumpet), Iain Faragher (trombone), Mark Robinson (percussion), Maria Raspopova (piano)

Tickets: Adult $64 – $94, Concession $59, City Recital Hall Member $52 – $76, Under 30 $29 (Fees per transaction: phone $8, internet $6)

Bookings: 02 8256 2222 or cityrecitalhall.com