Soirées Musicales Quintette
"...the ensemble demonstrated their skillful combined musicality and professional presence...". (Simon Hertzel, ClassikON) Click here to read the rest of this glowing review of our recent concert.
ABOUT
This enterprising Brisbane-based chamber ensemble performs delightful vocal works by composers
from the nineteenth century, including Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, Massenet and Rossini.
Performed in sumptuous heritage venues such as Old Government House, the music of Soirées
Musicales Quintette evokes a magical nostalgia, while also bringing fresh life to rarely-heard
repertoire.
E V E N T S 2024
Sunday 25 February 2024, 4pm
Hugo Wolf's Italian Songbook
Basil Jones Orchestral Hall,
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
140 Grey Street South Bank
Further 2024 events coming soon...
N E W S
January, 2024:
We're delighted to announce the first concert in our 2024 series: Hugo Wolf's Italian Songbook. This work
is a pinnacle of solo vocal repertoire. Composed not as a song-cycle but as a diverse collection of miniatures, it is replete with masterful word-setting, vivid characterisations and brilliant keyboard writing. The anthology of poems, in German translations of short Italian folk lyrics, was compiled by Paul Heyse. Their brevity inspired a highly concentrated approach, with many delightful touches of humour as well as deep emotional insights.
Published in two books in 1891 and 1896, Wolf composed the 46 songs during three intensive bursts of creativity. The work is usually performed as a collaboration between two singers and a pianist, but on this occasion Soirées Musicales Quintette extends this approach to showcase the talents of each of its members. The Italian Songbook is rarely presented in its entirety, so this concert is a very special opportunity. It will be performed in German, with English surtitles.
Another highlight is our choice of instrument - the 1843 piano built by JB Streicher in Vienna, similar to one owned by Brahms, is ideal for this late romantic repertoire.
October, 2023:
Check out this article by Gillian Wills discussing our October concert, including an interview with soprano Rachael Griffin.
May, 2023:
We've had a busy time in the recording studio! SMQ have been commissioned by the State Library of Queensland to record 40 previously unrecorded songs, piano and violin pieces by Queensland composers from the early-to-mid 20th century. We've had a wonderful time documenting these charming Aussie melodies, assisted by Geoff McGahan at Mark McDuff's stunning 'Farmhouse Studio' in Chandler.
