Prompt Corner

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Welcome to Melbourne Recital Centre’s first newsletter especially for its inner circle of donors, business partners, members and subscribers. It’s been my privilege to Chair this vibrant organisation for just over a year and I’ve now attended many wonderful concerts and events.

What inspires me most is the incredible commitment and virtuosity of the artists whose performances are like crystal in the pure acoustic of our marvellous performance spaces. They lift us out of the everyday and remind us of the elemental pleasure of sharing in great music.

We are so fortunate to have one of the world’s great concert halls right here in Melbourne. With this newsletter, we invite you to share even more deeply in its lore – to learn a little more about the musicians and the many enablers whose dedicated support brings their performances to life.

Thank you for your support of Melbourne Recital Centre this year. On behalf of the Board I extend my best wishes for the festive season and look forward to welcoming you back to MRC in 2012.

Kathryn Fagg Chair

Music Circle patrons program launched

In the intimate surrounds of Melbourne Recital Centre’s Salon on 25 October, the Honorable Alex Chernov AO QC, Governor of Victoria officially launched the Centre’s new Music Circle patrons program.

The new Music Circle program aligns the Centre’s private giving programs with the Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Development Fund that was launched earlier this year.

The Centre was especially thankful for the Governor’s involvement in the event as the launch was held on the eve of the royal visit to Melbourne by Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor spoke of the Centre’s continuing importance to music in Victoria and, in spite of his busy schedule, broke with protocol to stay an extra few minutes to enjoy the masterful performance by pianist Carolyn Almonte that followed his speech.

Caroline is one of Australia’s foremost pianists and a former board member of Melbourne Recital Centre. In an impromptu speech prior to her performance, Carolyn praised the Centre’s growing international reputation with musicians as one of the world’s most exciting venues.

Kathryn Fagg and Betty Amsdem OAM

spoke of her role in the supporting Melbourne Recital Centre’s children’s programs.

Betty also provided a surprise on the night with an impromptu donation of $10,000 to start the Music Circle program on its way.

The evening also provided an opportunity for the Centre to recognise the sustaining support it has received from founding donors the Kantor and Calvert-Jones families, Lyn Williams AM, The Salzer Foundation, The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and The Hugh Williamson Foundation as well as Principal Partner Audi Australia and International Airline Partner Etihad Airways.

Melbourne Recital Centre’s Chair Kathryn Fagg also took the opportunity to announce several significant donations including that of MRC’s founding Chair Jim Cousins AO and Libby Cousins who now take on the roles of the founding donors to the MRC’s bequest program, Encore.

Well-known Melbourne philanthropist, Betty Amsden OAM also spoke at the launch, recognising the important role that philanthropic giving plays in the promotion of music and the arts generally in Australia. Betty has a particular interest in Kathryn also recognised fellow board promoting opportunities for young member Julie Kantor for her ongoing people to engage with music and support of the Melbourne Recital Centre and her donation of $25,000 through the

Annamila Foundation. These funds will go to support the Great Romantics competition for music students up to the age of 25 and an outdoor broadcast of one of MRC’s concerts in Federation Square, as well as Share the Music, a program to provide tickets and transport for disadvantaged children and adults.

Kathryn also acknowledged the support of other Board members and senior staff, led

by CEO Mary Vallentine AO, who have contributed $15,000 and $6,000 respectively.

Ian Harris, Nance Grant MBE, Dr. Alastair Jackson

Another special guest on the evening was donor Richard Gubbins whose contribution to the Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Development Fund will make possible two recitals in 2012 by pianists Amir Farid and Kristian Chong.

Amir Farid was on hand to entertain guests at the function as he accompanied bass-baritone Nick Dinopolous performing a number of English songs – providing a fitting close to the evening’s events.

Richard Gubbins, Amir Farid, Caroline Almonte

To view more photos of the Music Circle patrons launch go to www.melbournerecital.com.au

Latitude 37 - Laura Vaughan, Donald Nicolsoin, Julia Fredersdorf

Pamela Swansson, Ken Bullen

Classical and hip hop blur as young musicians hit the stage of the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall On the surface, Melbourne’s leading youth classical music orchestra and A.R.A.B, a group working with young people from across Melbourne by fusing traditional folk and street dance forms with theatre, spoken word, original music and video might not seem to have that much in common. However, the universality of music and creative expression led to an innovative collaboration that came to life at Melbourne Recital Centre on 23 November.

The concert, entitled SubUrban Exchange brought together three different youth music ensembles to create an exciting performance that blended musical genres and dance into an innovative cultural exchange.

Supported by Newsboys Foundation and Melbourne Recital Centre, the concert featured over 70 musicians and artists from three groups, Melbourne Youth Music (MYM), the Anti Racism Action Band (A.R.A.B.) and MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir.

The performance grew out of what was essentially a chance meeting. Melbourne Youth Music and the Anti Racism Action Band had been supported by and were performing at the 2010 annual general meeting of the philanthropic Newsboys Foundation. The artistic directors of the groups saw a unique opportunity to collaborate in a dynamic musical partnership.

They decided to aim high and developed a new work, Hip Hop Concerto, for presentation in a special performance, again supported by Newsboys.

Chris Clark, General Manager of Melbourne Youth Music found the process exhilarating as different musical styles merged working to “transcend the barriers of age, culture and attitude through sound”.

The process provided some unique opportunities. The first combined rehearsal was mesmerising, according to Chris. “The conductor was flanked by 40 string players seated casually while “P Diddy” style rappers improvised up front,” he said.

Within an hour the orchestra, rappers and singers from the hip hop choir were working in perfect harmony in what was to come together as the newly created Hip Hop Concerto premiered on the night.

One of the things that made the project so exciting was its collaborative approach.

Melbourne Youth Music might be familiar to Melbourne Recital Centre audiences, as Victoria’s leading organisation nurturing the talents of Victoria’s young classical musicians.

For the 40 young people from their Chamber String Ensemble this was an opportunity to learn from different types of artists.

Foxy Tupo, Ta Tupo, MYCS Quartet

A 16-year-old cellist summed up the mood saying how “brilliant” it felt to play to people who were singing and talking out the lyrics - as for her it’s usually her cello that does the talking.

Language is central to the work of hip-hop artists and is a powerful tool in promoting acceptance and a successful multicultural society.

A.R.A.B. was formed for young people in Melbourne’s north who were experiencing racial vilification following the events of September 11, 2001. Its participants have performed at over 300 public and community events from the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre to the Melbourne International Arts Festival to the Gotham Comedy Club, New York. The group acts as a creative outlet for 250 young people from over 50 cultural backgrounds.

Zein Mehrez, MYCS Quartet

For this performance MYM and A.R.A.B were joined by a third group, the MASSIVE hip hop choir, a diverse group of young artists with backgrounds from Tonga, Tanzania, South Africa to Spain.

Together they worked to present an evening that blurred the boundaries of genre, showcasing MYM’s young Chamber Strings ensemble, 30 hip-hop dancers and rappers while merging contemporary pop music with classical scores.

As one of the artists from the MASSIVE choir summed it up, it was “phresh”.

Phil Randogan

Elisabeth Murdoch Creative Development Funds at work A new series of piano recitals for the Salon in 2012 The idea of becoming a patron of music was first planted in the mind of MRC donor Richard Gubbins while listening to a Saturday morning radio program on ABC Classic Attending a lunchtime performance by the Emerald Hill String Quartet at ANAM it FM. occurred to him that it would wonderful Well-known composer and program host if the group could have the opportunity to Andrew Ford suggested listeners consider perform for a broader audience through a contributing to music in Australia through concert at Melbourne Recital Centre. the commissioning of new works. As time Richard Gubbins passed the idea of arts patronage took Writing a letter to MRC, he proposed the hold for Richard and is now growing into a partnership with Melbourne Recital Cen- concert and offered to assist with the protre from which Melbourne’s musicians are vision of some financial support. Kirsten Siddle, Director of Programming and Prereaping the rewards. senter Services enthusiastically agreed A retired schoolteacher, Richard says and a concert was presented by the group music is at the core of his life, and while he never formally trained in an instrument, in October 2010. music forms the basis for some of his fondest memories. His love of the orchestral introduction of Girls and Boys Come Out to Play which played before the ABC’s Kindergarten of the Air program in the early 1950’s is one of his earliest recollections.

Since retirement Richard has had more time to indulge his love of music and has become one of Melbourne Recital Centre’s most regular audience members. He says music gives him energy and a sense of purpose and professes to catholic musical tastes ranging from the 14th century to the new, and with a developing interest in music from other cultures.

He is also a regular volunteer at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and it was through this work that his involvement with the Melbourne Recital Centre began.

Following the success of this first concert, Richard proposed an idea of presenting two solo recitals by Melbourne pianists 2012. Providing opportunities for Melbourne musicians is one of the core values that underpin the Melbourne Recital Centre’s programming and the Centre was delighted with the idea.

Scheduled for the first half of 2012, the concerts will feature pianists Amir Farid and Kristian Chong.

The programming of these two artists enables MRC audiences to hear recitals by one of Melbourne’s most exciting young pianists, Amir Farid (who audiences already know through his work with The Benaud Trio) as well as an established artist like Kristian Chong.

Kristian is one of Australia’s leading pianists. A lecturer in piano at the University of Melbourne he has been a soloist with most of Australia’s major symphony orchestras as well as with orchestras in the UK and China.

For Kristian, the opportunity to present solo recitals is an important aspect of a musician’s life. “Solo recitals, alongside all the activities that a pianist does, are an integral part of developing and maintaining artistry” he says.

Private support for concerts of this type also helps to reinforce the value that quality music has in our society. “This type of support is tremendous” Kristian says “and gives musicians faith that what we are doing is worthwhile - not only to ourselves but to a great number of people who simply derive enjoyment from listening”.

Richard is humble about his contribution - “There is nothing monumental about my idea or the amount of money I have committed, but it shows how music lovers can become a part of MRC’s mission. This is why I think that the Music Circle patrons program and the Elisabeth Murdoch Creative Development Fund are such excellent ideas.”

In 2011 Richard Gubbins committed $5,000 to the Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Development Fund to support solo recitals by Melbourne-based pianists.

Kristian plans to take the opportunity to perform works by Romantic composers with those of Australian composers like Carl Vine, whose 3rd sonata he is recording in 2012.

Kristian also took time to recognise the support that Richard Gubbins provides as an audience member, describing him as “a supportive member of many audiences at many different concerts and a true lover of classical music”.

Richard Gubbins, Amir Farid, Nicholas Dinopoulos

Amir and Nick performing

Hold the Date: Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s 103rd Birthday Party 8 February 2012 Hold the Date: Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s 103rd Birthday Celebration 8 February 2012 Melbourne Recital Centre will present a special concert to mark the 103rd birthday of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE on 8 February 2012, and the Centre’s 3rd birthday.

The February celebration will have a different format with the event open to the public for the first time.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE

Attendance will be free of charge however audience members will be invited to make a donation to Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elisabeth Murdoch Creative Development Fund on the evening.

Soweto Gospel Choir 8 Feb 2011

This summer’s concert highlights….

Melbourne Recital Centre kicks the year off with MusicPlay, an exciting summer holiday music festival for children and families from 18 to 22 January. A special highlight of the festival is The Race for the Chinese Zodiac on Saturday 21 January at 11am, based on the children’s book of the same name. This is a new production with animations of the book’s illustrations and new music by Melbourne-based composer Wang Zheng Ting. The concert features the Australian Chinese Music Ensemble and narrator Andy Wright.

Other concert dates include: Josh Redman/Brad Mehldau 21 January The King’s Singers 14/15 February The Sixteen 28 February Penguin Café 5 March Kimmo Pohjonen 8 March Australian Voices: Nigel Westlake 13 March Le Trio Joubran 15 March Jane Birkin sings Serge Gainbourg 18 March Bach’s St John Passion 25 March

MusicPlay 2012 is proudly presented with support from Radio 3AW Melbourne, Melbourne’s Child, The Hugh Williamson Foundation and The City of Melbourne.

Great Perfomers: Behzod Abduraimov 27 March Eddi Reader – The Songs of Robert Burns 30 March Visit www.melbournerecital.com.au/ whatson/calendar_of_events for more information