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Due to continued uncertainty posed by COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales, Musica Viva has made the difficult decision to cancel the Ensemble Q concerts originally scheduled for Saturday 14 and Monday 23 August

Every so often a new work comes along that makes us all sit up and take notice, startled as we do so; Paul Dean’s concerto for cello and wind quintet is such a piece. It is gritty, lyrical, compelling, and in Trish Dean has a phenomenal advocate. She is well matched by Paul and the other members of Ensemble Q, a sharp-shooting group of renowned wind soloists in Brisbane, brought together out of the desire to create a collection of ‘exceptional players and wonderful people’.

This program demands much from each player, perfectly framed by the different ways in which composers since Beethoven have thought about wind instruments. It’s funny to think of the Ligeti and Barber works being composed within two years of each other, for they could not be more different – Barber an exponent of mid-century American lyricism, Ligeti an uncompromising modernist. They nonetheless rub shoulders most happily in this program, a snapshot of virtuosic wind writing.

One notable achievement was the discovery that a piece by a homegrown talent, Paul Dean, could stand proudly in the company of those of Sibelius and Mahler

Daily Review

[Trish is an] outstandingly talented musician... musical gold pours forth

London Observer

Please note Musica Viva and City Recital Hall will continue to apply NSW Public Health Orders as they relate to ticketing and seating arrangements. As these Orders can change at very short notice, Musica Viva will be allocating seats closer in time to concert dates than they have in previous seasons. This will allow us to maintain a COVID-19 safe environment. By purchasing tickets through City Recital Hall, the patron agrees for their data to be handed over to Musica Viva for allocation purposes only, their data will not be used for any marketing purposes unless previously indicated.


Get $25 off your ticket purchase with Dine and Discover NSW

The NSW Government has launched Dine & Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about, to support dining, arts and recreation businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. 

Use your Discover Voucher when booking over the phone or in-person at our box office to get $25 off your next ticket purchase.  

Terms and conditions can be found on the Service NSW app.


Visitor Safety Information

Before you arrive at City Recital Hall, familiarise yourself with our new venue protocols here.

Please do not attend this event if you are feeling unwell. If you have tickets and are no longer able to attend:

  • View our updated Terms & Conditions 
  • Visit www.health.gov.au for the latest advice and information about COVID-19
  • Contact the Coronavirus Information Line 1800 020 080 for any health enquiries

Details correct at the time of publication.

  • Britten
    Ciaccona from Second Suite for Cello, Op.80 (1967)
    Ligeti
    Six Bagatelles for wind quintet (1953)
    Debussy
    Syrinx (1913)
    Beethoven
    Variations on ‘La Ci Darem’ (1795)
    Barber
    Summer Music, Op.31 (1955)
    Dean
    Concerto for Cello and Wind Quintet (2018)

  • Paul Dean
    Clarinet and Artistic Director
    Trish Dean
    Cello and Artistic Director
    Virginia Taylor
    Flute
    Huw Jones
    Oboe
    Peter Luff
    Horn
    David Mitchell 
    Bassoon