After three years, Australian Chamber Orchestra Returns to the United States
Australian Chamber Orchestra
After being away for 3 years, the return of the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) is hosting a North American tour of eight concerts. “The finest chamber orchestra on earth” (The Telegraph) will be joined by internationally renowned pianists Paul Lewis and Inon Barnatan at New York’s Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA and a list of eminent US concert halls.
The ACO has prepared three different program compilations comprised of JS Bach’s The Art of Fugue, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.12 and Violin Concerto No.3 (featuring Artistic Director Richard Tognetti as soloist) and Beethoven’s String Quartet, Op.130 and Grosse Fuge, Op.133. On this 19th visit to the United States, the ACO will also present the US premiere of Samuel Adams’ Movements (for us and them).
The Canberra Times praised Samuel Adams’ Movements (for us and them), saying “The performance stole the show…Adams' work creates in sound music on which to balance the weight of the world. I was moved by the subtle emotional power of this new work.”
“I heard the Australian Chamber Orchestra back in 2013 in my hometown of Berkeley, California,” writes Adams, “and was immediately captivated by its sound. It was as if the world’s greatest string quartet had put on an Iron Man suit, amplifying the precision and physicality of a small chamber ensemble to a group of 17 musicians. It was a hair-raising experience, and I’m honored to dedicate my new work to this wonderful group.”
North America remains an important international touring destination for the ACO. “The ACO is Australia’s busiest touring orchestra, having toured internationally over 65 times in its 44-year history, and is regarded as one of the world’s great chamber ensembles,” says ACO Managing Director Richard Evans. “The ACO has a long and successful history of touring to North America, which continues to be one of the Orchestra’s major international touring priorities alongside the UK and Europe, and Japan. We very much look forward to returning to the US for the first time in three years to perform for audiences across the country, as well as engaging in outreach activities with students at Folsom Lake College and Virginia Tech.”
According to the Washington Post, the ASO has “the energy and vibe of a rock band with the ability of a crack classical chamber group.”
The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s work has a reputation that is highly respected—it is a concert that audiences don’t want to miss. The ACO’s US tour will mark the first of two international tours in the Orchestra’s 2019 Season. In October 2019 the ACO will return to the UK for its second season in-residence as International Associate Ensemble at Milton Court at London’s Barbican Centre, following its critically acclaimed sell-out inaugural season in-residence in 2018. It even had the honor to be invited His Royal Highness Charles, The Prince of Wales, to perform at a special gala event at Buckingham Palace.
Needless to say that the musicians at the Australian Chamber Orchestra have dedicated their lives to the art of music; making waves around the world for their explosive performances and brave interpretations. What sets their talent apart is they are steeped in history but always looking to the future, and ACO programs embrace celebrated classics alongside new commissions and adventurous cross-artform collaborations.
Learn more on the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s website.
— Maria Sanchez