IMPACT REPORT 2024
AHE 2024
LOVE & DEVOTION
String Quartets by Haydn, Mozart & Mendelssohn
HEAVENLY SOPRANOS
Jewels of the Baroque with Celeste Lazarenko & Helen Sherman
APRIL
ARMIDALE
MAY
MUSICA VIVA
MAY
BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH
Masterworks in chamber form
JUNE
PENRITH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
JUNE
Haydn’s Passion DECEMBER “ ...the Australian Haydn Ensemble...is not to be missed” New York Concert Review Inc, New York, Carnegie Hall, 2023
MUSIC IN THE REGIONS
JULY
ABC CLASSIC CONCERT
BROADCASTS
Heavenly Sopranos
Beethoven’s Fifth
JULY
MOZART'S HORN with Carla Blackwood
SEPTEMBER
THE MOZART ALBUM
RELEASE
NOVEMBER
HAYDN'S PASSION
Sturm und Drang meets unbridled joy DECEMBER
ABC CLASSIC CONCERT BROADCAST
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
024 was a time of rich musical achievement for all of us at the Australian Haydn Ensemble. Following the excitement of our triumphant US tour — with acclaimed performances at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. — we returned home inspired and energised. Our season, centred around the theme Dreamers of Dreams, built upon that momentum with a bold and imaginative program.
I would love to thank the wonderful musicians of the Australian Haydn Ensemble for the extraordinary experiences we shared on stage throughout the year. In particular, I want to acknowledge our core string quartetMatthew Greco, Karina Schmitz, and Daniel Yeadon - who are featured across the season. As always, I deeply value the commitment, expertise, and musical sensitivity they bring to every performance.
Together, we presented five subscription programs featuring a vibrant mix of chamber music and orchestral works. Our season opened with the AHE String Quartet exploring some exquisite later repertoire, including Mendelssohn’s Op. 12, alongside beloved classics such as Haydn’s Op. 20 No. 4 and Mozart’s D minor String Quartet. It was especially thrilling to welcome guest artists Celeste Lazarenko (soprano) and Helen Sherman (mezzo-soprano) for our long-awaited Heavenly Sopranos program, where they gave a luminous performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in an intimate chamber setting. We were also delighted to showcase our brilliant principal horn, Carla Blackwood, in Mozart’s Horn, a program that celebrated the warmth and beauty of the natural horn.
Another personal highlight was the long-awaited release of our recording on the ABC Classic label - The Mozart Albumwhich was backed up by live performances of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in our orchestral program Haydn’s Passion. Definitely one of the most exhilarating experiences of my musical life to date!
The warm and generous welcome we received from our audiences in Sydney and across regional NSW and the ACT was both invigorating and inspiring. Being able to meet so many subscribers, volunteers and members of our audience in person and spend time with the extended AHE family is always such a highlight for me. As always, it was also inspiring to connect with young people through our touring workshops as part of our education program - some of whom we welcomed at concerts for the first time.
Our Board, led by Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM, is tireless, steadfast and dedicated to our vision for the future - my heartfelt thanks to them all. AHE is also most thankful to the Government of New South Wales through Create NSW, who supported the company with a vital Annual Grant in 2024.
The support we receive from our donors is nothing short of life-changing. Without their contributions, we simply could not continue to bring this beautiful repertoire to audiences in NSW and well beyond. I am forever grateful for their faith in AHE, their encouragement and their personal friendship.
Thank you for being part of the world of AHE, and I look forward to your company well into the future.
Skye McIntosh Artistic Director Australian Haydn Ensemble
AHE 2024 AT A GLANCE
2024 MAINSTAGE SEASON
AHE’s 2024 Season, Dreamers of Dreams, brought together a luminous selection of works from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based on themes of emotional power and imagination, the season brought audiences on a collective journey into the heart of period instrument performance practice, bringing people as close as possible to the sound-world that the composers themselves knew and loved.
The season opened with Love and Devotion, a beautifully curated string quartet program by Artistic Director Skye McIntosh. Featuring works by Haydn, Mozart and Mendelssohn, the concert centred on music inspired by love, admiration and affection. The AHE Quartet performed Mozart’s dramatic String Quartet No. 15 in D minor - one of the six he dedicated to Haydn - alongside Haydn’s own Op.20 No. 4, believed to have influenced Mozart’s quartets. The program also included Mendelssohn’s youthful Op.12 String Quartet, written in dedication to an early love. To our knowledge, this was the first time the work had been recorded or performed on period instruments.
Heavenly Sopranos brought together celebrated guest soloists Celeste Lazarenko and Helen Sherman for an intimate singlepart rendition of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, a work of great beauty and intensity. The
program also highlighted rarely heard vocal gems, including rediscovered vocal cantata works by Johan Adolph Hasse.
AHE continued its commitment to reviving historical chamber arrangements with performances of William Watt’s early 19thcentury adaptation of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. This work was paired with a similarly scaled arrangement of Ferdinand Ries’ Symphony No.3 in E flat major Op. 90, arranged by Ries himself - Beethoven’s friend, student and copyist. Audiences were thrilled by this audacious and exciting program.
Renowned Australian natural horn soloist Carla Blackwood featured in Mozart’s Horn, a captivating chamber program for string quintet and horn. The performances celebrated the expressive warmth of the natural horn and Mozart’s masterful writing for the instrument.
The season concluded with Haydn’s Passion, an exhilarating orchestral program led by Artistic Director Skye McIntosh. The series included Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G major, featured on AHE’s newly released recording entitled The Mozart Album, alongside Haydn’s Symphony No. 49 in F minor, La Passione.
WESTERN SYDNEY AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT
AHE upheld its strong commitment to Western Sydney and regional NSW audiences by delivering 24 high-quality concerts and workshops in communities across NSW and beyond.
Identical high-calibre performances from world-class artists were delivered on regional and metropolitan stages.
AHE also partnered with Music in the Regions to deliver concerts, workshops and educational workshops to the Hunter Region of NSW.
Over the course of this year, audiences in regional areas began to reach maximum capacity, reflecting growing engagement and demand. AHE prioritised deepening its relationships with regional presenters, with most partners extending invitations for future collaborations in 2025 and beyond.
Performances, workshops and engagement with young musicians took place in the following locations:
Dunedoo
Mudgee
Berry
Orange
Bowral
Parramatta
Canberra (ACT)
Penrith
Port Macquarie
Gloucester
Taree
Lake Macquarie
Wyong
Muswellbrook
Armidale
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
AHE's education program emphasises engaging with young people through a variety of activities, including historical performance string and orchestral workshops designed for talented students across both regional NSW a nd Metropolitan areas.
A new three-year partnership with the Penrith Youth Orchestra in Western Sydney was established, reinforcing AHE’s ongoing commitment to music education and community engagement across diverse regions.
The keys to the success of this program lie in AHE’s long-term community building via extensive touring in regional areas, combined with meaningful exposure to AHE’s expert musicians on a local level. This approach resulted in events, workshops and performances being largely sold out or at capacity.
A project was undertaken with the Penrith Youth Orchestra over a period of 2 weeks which culminated in an exciting side-by-side performance with AHE musicians and students from PYO
CRITICS & AUDIENCES IN 2024
88% of AHE Audience survey respondents across the year rated AHE concerts at 5 stars (or more), 12 % rated AHE concerts at 4 to 4.5 stars and 0% below 4 stars.
“Skye is a wonderful leader, thoroughly enjoyable”
“…like nothing I’ve ever heard before. … An extraordinary experience.”
LIMELIGHT
“Five big, glowing stars. Loved this concert. …. The Beethoven was just superlative; blew me away. It was the best concert I’ve been to this year...”
“Creative, inviting, challenging, and always welcoming to [regional] audiences.”
“...a marvellous performance by the seven instrumentalists which did more than ample justice to Beethoven in this powerful rendition.”
SOUNDS LIKE SYDNEY
“…a splendid concert with a lively program and a cracking performance by Artistic Director Skye McIntosh of WA Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3. ”
LIMELIGHT
“McIntosh’s virtuosity was on full display here. … Her cadenzas were virtuosic, faultless and performed confidently but never with pomp or ostentation. ”
STATE OF THE ARTS
“Thank you for bringing the thrill of beautiful music to us [in the regions]. With deep gratitude. “
“…AHE never fails to enchant, surprise and offer music that transcends time and space.”
LIMELIGHT
“My 8yo daughter’s first experience of this sort and she was amazed. Thank you!”
“The standard of playing was exceptional - the performance was dynamic.”
“The energy, stamina and skill displayed by the performers was massively impressive.”
CLASSIKON
OUR SUPPORTERS IN 2024
PATRON
Professor the Honourable Dame
Marie Bashir AD CVO
THE CHAIR’S CIRCLE
The Chair's Circle is a group of dedicated supporters who have made a multi-year commitment to supporting the long-term vision of the Australian Haydn Ensemble
Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM & Angela
Belgiorno-Zegna
Sherry & the late Tom Gregory
Karin Keighley
Peter & Lisa Macqueen
Kevin McCann AO & Deidre McCann
Ian & Pam McGaw
The late Dr Timothy Pascoe AM & the late Eva Pascoe
Anthony Strachan
Peter Young AM & Susan Young
Anonymous (1)
MARIA THERESA $25,000
Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM & Angela
Belgiorno-Zegna
David & Anne Eustace Foundation
Sherry & the late Tom Gregory
Howarth Foundation
Karin Keighley
Peter & Lisa Macqueen
Anonymous (1)
ESTERHÁZY $15,000 – $24,999
Ian & Pam McGaw
Philanthropy Initiative Australia, a giving fund of the APS Foundation
Anthony Strachan
FOUNDING PATRON
The late Dr Timothy Pascoe AM
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
The Artistic Director’s Circle is a group of passionate supporters who have made a commitment to supporting the AHE education program and the vision of the Artistic Director
Jan Bowen AM FRSN
Carolyn Fletcher AM
Adrian Maroya
Jon & Susanne North
WALDSTEIN $10,000 – $14,999
Jan Bowen AM FRSN
Carolyn Fletcher AM
Kevin McCann AO & Deidre McCann
Jon & Susanne North
Kim Williams
Peter Young AM & Susan Young
VAN SWIETEN $5,000 – $9,999
Martin & Ursula Armstrong
Dr Terry & Julie Clarke
Reg & Kathie Grinberg
Adrian Maroya
Peter & Libby Plaskitt
Peter & Vivienne Skinner
In Memory of Tom Gregory & Timothy Pascoe
Anonymous (1)
GALITZIN
$1,000 – $4,999
Priscilla Adey
Antoinette Albert
Mark Bethwaite AM & Jill Bethwaite
Clive Birch
Keith & Louise Brodie
Dr Andrew Byrne & Andrew Gill
Dr Michael & Dr Colleen Chesterman
George H. Clark
Robert & Carmel Clark
Jean Cockayne
Dr Nola Cooke
Dr Peter Craswell
Peter & Prudence
Davenport
Rob Diamond
Alison Dunn
Jeremy Eccles FRSN & Kate Eccles OAM
David, Katrina & Madeline Evans
Terry Fahy
John Fairfax AO & Libby Fairfax
Richard Fisher AM & Diana Fisher
Dr Marguerite Foxon
The Hon. Ben Franklin
MLC
Bunny Gardiner-Hill
Prof Pru Goward AO
Sharon Green
The Hon Don Harwin
The late Elizabeth Howard
Michael & Anna Joel
Sarah de Jong
Lucy Kalangi
David Kent OAM & Angela Kent
Celia Lillywhite
Diccon & Liz Loxton
David Maloney AM & Erin Flaherty
Rod & Diane McAllery
Paula McLean
Trevor Parkin
The late Dr Timothy Pascoe
AM & the late Eva Pascoe
Nick Payne
Susan Perrin-Kirby
David & Elizabeth Platt
Keith & Robyn Power
Michael & Anna Rennie
Deidre Rickards
Greg & Wendy See
Danielle Smith
The Smithers Family
Augusta Supple
Kay Vernon
The Hon. Anthony Whealy
K.C. & Annie Whealy
Lady Meriel Wilmot-Wright
Anonymous (10)
LOBKOWITZ
$500 – $999
Jock Baird
Lloyd Capps & Mary Jo Capps AM
Wendy Cobcroft
Richard & Cynthia Coleman
Matt Costello & Bernie
Heard
Todd Denney & Jacqui
Smith
Sandra Duggan
Dr Terence & Deborah
Dwyer
Dr Meredith Edwards
Jean Gifford
Stephen & Jill Goggs
Dave Jordan & Louise Walsh
Gerard Joseph
Dr Jacqueline Milne
Beverley Northey
Jennifer Rose-Innes
Penelope Seidler AM
Roger & Ann Smith
David & Jill Townsend
Ailsa Veiszadeh
Dr Margot Woods
Anonymous (4)
RAZUMOVSKY
$250 - $499
Ann Armstrong
James Ashburner
Tony Barnett
Walter Bilas & Phillip Sadler
Jeffrey Bridger
Christine Cooper
Dr John Dearn
Giles & Heather Edmonds
Michael Fong
Kate Guilfoyle
Dr Judith Healy
Ann Hoban
Patrick McIntyre & Yianni Faros
Dr Paul & Betty Meyer
Jeremy Morris
Henry O'Connor
Dr Richard Sippe
Dr Ann Young
Anonymous (7)
This listing is correct as of 13 Nov 2024, and we gratefully recognise all donations received since 1 July 2023
FOUNDATIONS
David & Anne Eustace Foundation
Howarth Foundation
Jibb Foundation
Sir Asher & Lady Joel Foundation
Key Foundation
Philanthropy Initiative
Australia, a giving fund of the APS Foundation
Sinsay Pty Ltd
Stoneglen Foundation
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
SUPPORTERS
Partner
BOARD
Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM (Chair)
Jan Bowen AM FRSN
Carolyn Fletcher AM (Deputy Chair)
Adrian Maroya
Kevin McCann AO
Skye McIntosh (Artistic Director)
Jon North
Vivienne Skinner
Peter Young AM
The Australian Haydn Ensemble acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, rehearse and perform. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Images throughout by Oliver Miller, except pages 4 -5, supplied.
EDUCATION PARTNERS
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The Australian Haydn Ensemble is a not-for-profit organisation. ABN 26 202 621 166 PO Box 400 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 1800 334 388 (Freecall) www.australianhaydn.com.au
Sydney Eisteddfod Penrith Youth Orchetsra