Thursday, June 25
Princess Ljubica’s Residence, 8:30 PM
Liaison Ensemble (Australia)
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven — Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11 (“Gassenhauer”)
- Allegro con brio
- Adagio
- Tema con variazioni (Andante)
Elena Kats-Chernin — Russian Rag
Johannes Brahms — Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Andantino grazioso
- Allegro
Astor Piazzolla
- Otoño Porteño (Autumn in Buenos Aires)
- Primavera Porteña (Spring in Buenos Aires)
Described by Limelight magazine as “a national treasure,” Liaison Ensemble is one of Australia’s most distinguished and internationally acclaimed chamber ensembles. Founded in 2007 by David Griffiths (clarinet), Svetlana Bogosavljević (cello), and Timothy Young (piano), the ensemble has become renowned for its imaginative programming, artistic excellence, and collaborations with leading musicians from around the world.
Now in its twenty-first season, Liaison has performed extensively throughout Australia and internationally, appearing at major festivals including the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, Woodend Winter Arts Festival, ClarinetFest (USA), and the Mimir Chamber Music Festival (USA). The ensemble has also toured New Zealand under the auspices of Chamber Music New Zealand and performed at festivals across Central Europe.
A strong commitment to new music is central to Liaison’s artistic vision. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by numerous contemporary composers, including Paul Stanhope, Paul Grabowsky, John Novacek, Ian Munro, Elena Kats-Chernin, Stuart Greenbaum, Gordon Kerry, Tony Gould, and others. Their recordings have been released on leading labels such as MOVE Records, ABC Classics, Melba Recordings, Tall Poppies, and their own EL Records.
“A passionate and inspired performance … not only technically superb but spiritually compelling.”
— Classical Review
“Refined, persuasive playing, intimate and beautifully nuanced.”
— The Sunday Times (UK)
“Liaison performs with an innate sense of style and finely shaded emotion.”
— Gramophone (UK)
David Griffiths, clarinet
David Griffiths is one of Australia’s leading clarinetists, chamber musicians, and pedagogues. He is a member of both Liaison Ensemble and Australia Ensemble@UNSW, and serves as Deputy Director and Professor of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
As a soloist, he has appeared with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He is a frequent collaborator with internationally renowned artists including Nemanja Radulović, Ray Chen, James Crabb, Dale Barltrop, Anthony Marwood, Henning Kraggerud, and Emma Matthews.
An acclaimed teacher, Griffiths regularly presents masterclasses throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
Svetlana Bogosavljević, cello
Born in Belgrade into a family of distinguished musicians, Svetlana Bogosavljević studied at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.
She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and has collaborated with many leading artists, including Nemanja Radulović, Kathryn Stott, Ray Chen, Henning Kraggerud, Konstantin Shamray, Cheryl Barker, and Peter Coleman-Wright.
A founding member of Liaison Ensemble, she is also a highly respected teacher and currently teaches cello and chamber music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
Timothy Young, piano
Timothy Young is a founding member of Liaison Ensemble and Head of Piano at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). Widely recognized as one of Australia’s foremost pianists, he has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras and at leading festivals throughout Australia and abroad.
Recent highlights include performances with violinist Ray Chen, appearances in Berlin’s Pierre Boulez Saal, and tours across New Zealand with Liaison Ensemble. His extensive discography includes recordings for ABC Classics, Tall Poppies, Melba Recordings, MOVE Records, Heritage Records UK, and Decca UK, featuring both standard repertoire and works by Australian composers.
His collaborations include performances with Cheryl Barker, Roger Benedict, Ray Chen, David Griffiths, and many other internationally acclaimed artists.
