Previous events

Nexas join forces with the exuberant harpist Emily Granger to enchant you with the delights this unusual combination of instruments can deliver. Featuring adaptions of works by Debussy and Ravel the performance showcases the lush tonal palette created between harp and saxophone. The program also includes the Australian premiere of Russel Howard’s work for saxophone quartet and harp, as well as the world premiere of Wijand van Klaveren’s new work for this combination of instruments.

Running alongside this year’s COVID Safe version of NAFA, Council and AFCM Presents the annual Queens Gardens Concert, with an array of music performed by local groups, 1RAR Band, Amadeus Choir and AFCM artists performing from their home cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Prague.

Your hosts for the night Glen 'Minty' Mintern and Judy Higgins-Olsen will bring you performances live on Council’s Super Screen set in the picturesque Queens Gardens.

Nexas Quartet take you on a journey around Latin America from the hustling and bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the peaks of the Andes and the plains of Venezuela. Music from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela and 3 works inspired by Latin America from 3 Australian composers.

PROGRAM Armando Porter – Milongueando en El 40 Lorenzo Snow – Güeros Fernando Lerman De Los Tres Barrios 1. Caballito 2. La Paternal 3. Villa Mitre Carlos Gardel – Por una Cabeza Michael Duke –Attacco del Piede Fantasma Arturo Marquez – Portals De Madrugada Daniel Rojas – Nostalgia Aldamaro Romero – Fuga Con Pajarillo Gerardo Matos Rodriguez – La Cumparsita

s final concert in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s online festival features the Nexas Quartet, Australia’s supreme saxophonist group making a return visit to Townsville for AFCM in 2021. Nexas have created a fabulous program for us, presenting some traditional French repertoire interspersed with lively works from the New World and ending with their own composition. Brilliant!

Astor PIAZZOLLA - La Muerte del Ángel ( arr. Byrnes) George GERSHWIN - An American in Paris (arr Byrnes) Claude DEBUSSY - Clair de lune, arr Byrnes Graciano DE LEONE - Reliquias porteñas (arr. Gustavo Hunt) Pierre-Max DUBOIS - Quatuor pour Saxophones Jean RIVIER - Grave et Presto Michael DUKE - Los Zapatos de Roberto

Connecting music-lovers with live music online in challenging times.

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Music entertains, uplifts and inspires us. We need it now more than ever. So while our doors may be closed, the music continues online – all for FREE.

Escape the news, take a break from work or simply sit back and enjoy this fortnight’s curated concerts from the best place to hear.

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The Inaugural Orange Chamber Music Festival 2020 is an initiative developed by a collective of professional classical musicians from diverse chamber music backgrounds, from the Acacia Quartet to the Nexas Quartet, and everything in between.

Having residence in Orange, these artists have come together to create a new platform for chamber music performance, as well as connecting with the already diverse and expanding cultural scene of Orange.

The aim is to establish a Regional Chamber Music Festival within the beautiful surroundings of Orange, highlighting not only its vibrant cultural community but the extensive and refined hospitality network within this gem of the Central West.

Join us in creating this new space, support your local artists and indulge your senses with world class performances, good company and enjoy the wide range of food and drink that makes Orange such unique place to visit, all year round.

Presented in Association with the Orange Regional Conservatorium and Musica Viva.

The ‘American in Paris’, from whom this program draws its title, is George Gershwin himself. Inspired by the sounds he heard in France’s capital in 1926, his lively orchestral work An American in Paris lies at the heart of this colourful program for saxophone quartet.

Nexas are one of Australia’s foremost saxophone ensembles, dedicated to putting the classical saxophone back on musical radars everywhere. These versatile woodwind instruments, invented in France, can sound like anything from brass to percussion and everywhere in between – simply close your eyes and be transported.

The ‘American in Paris’, from whom this program draws its title, is George Gershwin himself. Inspired by the sounds he heard in France’s capital in 1926, his lively orchestral work An American in Paris lies at the heart of this colourful program for saxophone quartet. Nexas are one of Australia’s foremost saxophone ensembles, dedicated to putting the classical saxophone back on musical radars everywhere. These versatile woodwind instruments, invented in France, can sound like anything from brass to percussion and everywhere in between – simply close your eyes and be transported.

Nexas Quartet join forces with one Australia’s most recognised pianists, Piers Lane to present Elena Kats-Chernin’s Five Chapters for Saxophone Quartet and Piano. In Elenas words “The Five Chapters present a personal account of momentary events.” A work of mystery and expectation, vivacity, riddles and spiralling momentum towards time’s inexorable horizons. Nexas has always held the creation of new Australian music as one of their prerogatives and this program exemplifies this. The program is an all Australian affair with works by Brophy, Broadstock, Dargaville, Lickuta and Kats-Chernin.

Come and be entranced by the rhythms and sounds of Buenos Aires in this unique concert featuring tango classics by Gardel, Piazzolla and Rodriguez. Nexas, joined by Daniel Rojas on piano and Stephen Cuttriss, bandoneon, take you on a journey through the hustle and bustle streets of Buenos Aires from the early 1920s right through to the modern day. The saxophone, with its flexibility and expressiveness is the perfect instrument to guide you on this journey and what better experience than with 4 of Australia's leading players. This concert features selections from Nexas' most recent CD recording titled Tango de Saxos.

COMPOSERS IN EXILE

Peter Coleman-Wright & Nexas Saxophone Quartet

World renowned baritone, Peter Coleman-Wright AO, and the fabulous Nexas Saxophone Quartet bring their universally acclaimed musical theatre piece, Composers in Exile, back to Camelot Lounge.

The show brings to life the musical journeys of renowned German composers escaping Nazi tyranny with music and songs that capture the spirit of the times.

“…..the five performers, their easy charm and obvious affection and enthusiasm for the material, proved a seductive combination” Advertiser Adelaide

“A musically rich and entertaining step back into the Weimar Era…… Well worth checking out. 4.5 out of 5 stars “ Limelight Magazine

“Words can't adequately sum up quite how marvellous it sounds,…….. Quite magical: I challenge anyone not to be bowled over.” The Arts Desk, UK.

The show features political songs from the turbulent times prior to World War II as well as showcasing the musical theatre of Weill, and cabaret of Stolz, Eisler and Korngold. The musical palate is varied and evokes the Weimar period with great energy.

During the show, the musicians assume the roles of the various composers and give voice to their feelings and frustrations. The performance is further enhanced by images projected onto screens.

Peter Coleman-Wright AO has enjoyed a stellar opera career and has sung lead roles in the world’s leading opera houses including Covent Garden, The Met, La Scala and La Fenice to name a few.He finds the perfect foil for this music in Nexas Quartet.

The arrangements of the songs for baritone and saxophone quartet were created especially for this show and reflect a combination that would have been familiar to the clubs and bars where much of this music was first performed.

Tango de Saxos

Nexas Quartet entrances you with the rhythms and sounds of Buenos Aires. Performing tango classics and a brand-new work by Argentinean composer Fernando Lerman, the Quartet transports you right in amongst the hustle and bustle of Argentinean streets from the early 1920s right through to the modern day.

Monday July 1, 6:00pm. Sunday July 7, 3:30pm. Bar opens 45 minutes prior to each event.

Merging classical music with urban life, The Chamber Project brings extraordinary musical experiences to a unique, familiar setting. Eat, drink and listen in comfort.

Music

Fernando Lerman—De Los Tres Barrios

Michael Duke—Los Zapatos de Roberto

Gerardo Rodriguez—La Cumparsita

Astor Piazzolla—Suite del Angel (arr. Jay Byrnes) and other selections

Tango de Saxos

Nexas Quartet entrances you with the rhythms and sounds of Buenos Aires. Performing tango classics and a brand-new work by Argentinean composer Fernando Lerman, the Quartet transports you right in amongst the hustle and bustle of Argentinean streets from the early 1920s right through to the modern day.

Monday July 1, 6:00pm. Sunday July 7, 3:30pm. Bar opens 45 minutes prior to each event.

Merging classical music with urban life, The Chamber Project brings extraordinary musical experiences to a unique, familiar setting. Eat, drink and listen in comfort.

Music

Fernando Lerman—De Los Tres Barrios

Michael Duke—Los Zapatos de Roberto

Gerardo Rodriguez—La Cumparsita

Astor Piazzolla—Suite del Angel (arr. Jay Byrnes) and other selections

With conductor Joanna Drimatis, Nexas will perform Pierre Max Dubois' Saxophone Quartet. A work known well in the saxophone world, but rarely performed in this format, with string orchestra. A real treat for all.

MUSICA VIVA AUSTRALIA PRESENT: PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AND NEXAS QUARTET

COMPOSERS IN EXILE: EXPLORING THE MUSIC NAZIS BANNED

Composers in exile is a musical and theatrical exploration of one of the darkest times in European history. As the Weimar Republic descended into chaos, the people escaped into hedonistic abandon and an explosion of creativity. Under this easy cover, the Nazi Party slowly slithered into power. With Hitler’s ascent, Germany’s greatest composers fled to seek freedom in the four corners of the world.

Peter Coleman-Wright and Nexas Quartet take audiences on a musical journey following these exiles from Berlin and Vienna to New York and beyond with a mixture of political songs from the Weimar period, the musical theatre of Weill and the cabaret and song from Stolz and Schreker. These songs capture the spirit of the times: defiant, soulful and searching, but also capable of moments of exuberant joy and hope.

BARITONE PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AO SOPRANO SAXOPHONE MICHAEL DUKE ALTO SAXOPHONE ANDREW SMITH TENOR SAXOPHONE NATHAN HENSHAW BARITONE SAXOPHONE JAY BYRNES

“COMPOSERS IN EXILE IS A RICH, ENTERTAINING STEP BACK INTO THE WEIMAR ERA, GUIDED BY THE BRONZED SOUNDS OF THE MUSICALLY WELL-MATCHED PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AND THE NEXAS QUARTET. WELL WORTH CHECKING OUT.” Angus McPherson, The Buzz

RUNNING TIME 90 mins including interval

AGE RECOMMENDATION 13+

Nexas Quartet will present an exciting delve into Argentinean Tango with their unique and inspiring performance of both arrangements and new works. Featured composers will include Astor Piazzolla, Carlos Gardel, Gerardo Rodriguez and Fernando Lerman.

Astor Piazzolla "Revelucionari

Astor Piazzolla "Revelucionario" Astor Piazzolla "Suite de Angel"

Fernando Lerman "New Work" - World Premiere

Nexas Quartet entrances you with the rhythms and sounds of Buenos Aires. Performing tango classics and a brand-new work by Argentinean composer Fernando Lerman, the Quartet transports you right in amongst the hustle and bustle of Argentinean streets from the early 1920s right through to the modern day.

The saxophone, with its flexibility and expressiveness, is the perfect instrument to guide you on this journey, and what better experience than with four of Australia’s leading players.

Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre & Nexas Quartet

Composers In Exile

World renowned baritone, Peter Coleman-Wright AO, the fabulous Nexas Saxophone Quartet and stellar flutist Jane Rutter, bring their universally acclaimed musical-theatre piece to Street Theatre.

Dressed in period costume as composers Weill, Eisler, Schreker, Korngold, Stolz, with Jane Rutter as Lotte Lenya, the musicians talk and play in character in a thrilling program which features adaptations of Cabaret works by composers from the Weimar Era until World War, when many of the Weimar composers, like Weill, were forced into exile in the USA.

Following a hugely successful season at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the show portrays the musical journeys of renowned German composers escaping Nazi tyranny with music and songs that capture the spirit of the times. Don’t miss this exciting performance which completely brings to life the music of Germany's Weimar Republic and the war period immediately following.

“...the performers, their easy charm and obvious affection and enthusiasm for the material, proved a seductive combination” Advertiser Adelaide

“A musically rich and entertaining step back into the Weimar Era…Well worth checking out. 4.5 out of 5 stars" Limelight Magazine

“Words can't adequately sum up quite how marvellous it sounds...Quite magical: I challenge anyone not to be bowled over.” The Arts Desk, UK

The show features political songs from the turbulent times prior to World War II as well as showcasing the musical theatre of Weill, and cabaret of Stolz, Eisler and Korngold. The musical palate is varied and evokes the Weimar period with great energy. During the show, the musicians assume the roles of the various composers and give voice to their feelings and frustrations. The performance is further enhanced by images projected onto screens.

Peter Coleman-Wright AO has enjoyed a stellar opera career and has sung lead roles in the world’s leading opera houses including Covent Garden, The Met, La Scala and La Fenice to name a few. He finds the perfect foil for this music in Nexas Quartet.

The arrangements of the songs for baritone, flute and saxophone quartet were created especially for this show and reflect a combination that would have been familiar to the clubs and bars where much of this music was first performed.

Opera Star, Australian Baritone Peter Coleman-Wright & the Nexas Saxophone Quartet join Jane Rutter onstage to perform Composers in Exile, featuring thrilling adaptations of cabaret works by composers from the Weimar Era to WWII.

Dressed as composers Weill, Eisler, Schreker, Korngold, Stolz, with Jane as Lotte Lenya, the musicians talk and play in character about life during these turbulent times.

Recognised as a major lunchtime musical event, the 2018 Live at Lunch Season will include mesmerising Gregorian Chant to Romantic Masterpieces by Schumann, Schubert and Brahms, exciting new World Chamber music, works by exiled WWII Composers, an homage to the Unsent ‘Love Letters’ of Erik Satie and a feast of Sacred Songs including ‘Ave Maria’s by different composers.

Season Subscriptions are available in 4, 5, 6 and 7 concert packages. To view the full 2018 Season, please click here

LUNCH: Join Jane and her guest artists for lunch after each concert. Purchase a lunch package with your concert ticket or Season Subscription.

Nexas Quartet performing highlights from their latest albums, Current (2016) and Ballads of a Pleasant Life (2017).