Brunswick Beethoven Festival
17th festival
Experience the Brunswick Beethoven Festival —a rendezvous of world-class performers in the heart of Brunswick, Melbourne. Delight yourself in the finest classical chamber music featuring Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Ravel and more.
Immerse yourself in an affordable cultural celebration where exceptional artists bring timeless compositions to life. Join us for an unforgettable musical journey.
The festival ran in two parts, 5 to 8 Feb and 18 to 22 Feb 2025.
Patrons of BBF or other music lovers if you’d like to hear some great chamber music in January 10th-14th 2025, then the 29th Ballarat Festival (formerly Goldfields Festival) is the place to go.
Great venues, city and performers. Festival was also started by Sergio de Pieri OAM.
Check out their website for information and bookings.
Seraphim Trio (pictured) perform part of Concert 8 of the Brunswick Beethoven Festival
2025 Programme
Part 1
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Part 2
8pm Saturday 22 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Elyane Laussade Pianist, Philip Arkinstall clarinet, Jack Schiller bassoon, Josh de Graaf oboe and Carla Blackwood horn.
Piano & Wind Quintets by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
Mozart’s masterful Quintet in E♭ major (K. 452) stands as one of his most exquisite chamber works. Premiering at Vienna’s Imperial Court Theater in 1784, this remarkable piece showcases the composer’s genius in blending piano with four distinct wind instruments – oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon. Mozart himself declared it his finest composition, and indeed, the work demonstrates his extraordinary skill in crafting intricate dialogues between piano and winds, creating a tapestry of ever-changing musical colours and elegant conversations between instruments.
I. Largo – Allegro moderato (E♭ major, 4
4)
II. Larghetto (B♭ major, 3
8)
III. Allegretto (E♭ major, 2
2)
Beethoven’s Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds, Op. 16, composed in 1796, is a captivating work that mirrors Mozart’s Quintet, K. 452, in both instrumentation and key. Featuring piano, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, Beethoven’s piece extends the legacy of his predecessor while showcasing his own distinctive flair and innovation in composition.
I. Grave – Allegro ma non troppo (E-flat major)
II. Andante cantabile (B-flat major)
III. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo (E-flat major)
Past concerts
8pm Wednesday 5 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Works by Carl Vine Toccatissimo (2011)
Miranda Driessen Werden Menschen Brüder? Alle? (2019)
Ludwig Van Beethoven Diabelli Variations Op 120 (1823)
8pm Thursday 6 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church, 212 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Josh Hooke Pianist.
Programme:
Federico Mompou:
Paysages (Landscapes)
I. La Fuente y la campana (The fountain and the bells)
II. El lago (The lake)
III. Carros de Galicia (Galician carts)
Domenico Scarlatti:
Sonata in C major K. 132
Sonata in D minor K. 517
Sonata in C major K. 159
Frederic Chopin:
Polonaise-Fantasie Op. 61
Nocturne in B major Op. 32 No. 1
Scherzo in B flat minor Op. 31
About Josh Hooke:
Originally from country Victoria, Josh recently completed a PhD in Music Performance at the University of Melbourne under Professors Ian Holtham and Paul Kildea, and is currently the Kenneth Moore Memorial Music Scholar at Janet Clarke Hall.
He has also studied intensively with Paul Badura-Skoda in Vienna and Imogen Cooper in London. Josh performs regularly across Australia, Europe, and the UK, with notable appearances in London, Portugal, Austria, France, and the Netherlands.
He has been featured in festivals such as the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the International Piano Seminar of Óbidos (Portugal), The International Holland Music Sessions, and the Musica Viva Regional Touring Program. Josh has had performances and interviews broadcast on the BBC, Antena 2, ABC Classic, RN and 774, as well as PBS, Triple J, Triple R, and nationally on the MBS radio network. He has performed concertos of Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt and Ravel with orchestras, including The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Hopkins Sinfonia, and the Whitehorse, among others.
He has worked with conductors such as Benjamin Northey, Fabian Russell, Brett Dean and Richard Davis. He regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary artist Jack Vanzet, with their debut record ‘Composites’ released in 2021 to wide acclaim and millions of plays across digital streaming platforms. His second album, featuring piano works of Beethoven and Schubert, was released in 2024.
8pm Friday 7 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church, 212 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Philip Arkinstall clarinet, Lily Tamir-Regev clarinet, Nico Fleury horn, Rachel Shaw horn, Johannes Grosso oboe, Ann Blackburn oboe, Jack Schiller bassoon, Laura Brown bassoon, Colin Batt Abrams contra bassoon.
Wind Octet with work by Ludwig Van Beethoven transcribed from 7th Symphony.
8pm Saturday 8 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Sally-Anne Russell mezzo soprano and Anthony Halliday accompanist in Canteloube Songs of the Auvergne.
8pm Tuesday 18 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Sophia Kirsanova violin and Berta Brozgul pianist.
Works by Leos Janacek Violin Sonata and Ludwig Van Beethoven Sonata No 9 Op 47 ‘Kreutzer.
Programme:
Leos Janacek – Violin sonata
1
Con moto
2
Ballada
3
Allegretto
4
Adagio
Beethoven – sonata no. 9, opus 47
‘Kreutzer’
1. Adagio sostenuto – presto
2. Andante con variazoni
3. Presto
About the performers:
Sophia Kirsanova
Latvian violinist Sophia Kirsanova is praised for her “appealing and intriguing” performances (CutCommon) and “outstanding technique and musicality” (Latvietis).
She has soloed with major orchestras, including the Latvian National Symphony and Israel Camerata. In 2024, Sophia released her debut album “The Morning Mist” on the SKANI label. A Teaching Associate at the Melbourne Conservatory of Music, she also teaches violin privately and leads masterclasses globally.
Founder and lead violinist of Melbourne Strings, Sophia is guest-concertmaster with orchestras and has held principal positions with Sinfonietta Riga and Israel Camerata.
Berta Brozgul
A graduate of the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, the South African born pianist has been praised for her “strongly individual” and “masterful” performances (John Lill OBE).
The recipient of numerous awards, including the fourth prize at the prestigious Lev Vlassenko piano competition in 2015, Berta performs regularly across Australia as a soloist and collaborative pianist, and has collaborated with such artists as the internationally renowned violinist Ye-eun Choi, the Australian tenor Steve Davislim and the Firebird trio.
She has performed with the Tasmanian and Queensland symphony orchestras, and in 2023 she made her debut with the Melbourne symphony orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey. As of 2024, she holds the position of Associate Faculty at the Australian National Academy of Music.
8pm Wednesday 19 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church, 212 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Firebird Trio Curt Thompson violin, Benjamin Martin piano and Josephine Vains Cello.
Works by Maurice Ravel Piano Trio, Clemenenti/Cassella and Benjamin Britten.
8pm Thursday 20 February 2025
Tempo Rubato: 34 Breese Street Brunswick.
Genesis Baroque Simon Rickard Baroque musette, Laura Vaughan Treble and Bass Violas da Gamba, Jennifer Kirsner Baroque violin, Hannah Lane Baroque triple harp in Fete Champetre.
Works by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Louis Couperin, Marin Marais, Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer, Domenico Franzaroli, George Frederick Handel, Esprit Phillipe Chedeville and
Marc-Antoine Charpentier.
Tickets available by Tempo Rubato.
8pm Friday 21 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Programme:
Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809) Piano Trio Hob XV:27 (20 mins)
Allegro
Andante
Presto
Franz Schubert ‘Trauerwalzer’ Op. 9 NO. 2 D 365 with Variations (9 minutes)
Theme
Calvin Bowman
Elena Kats-Chernin 1
Andrea Keller
Elena Kats-Chernin 2
Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 1 (30 mins)
Allegro
Adagio cantabile
Scherzo
Finale
8pm Saturday 22 February 2025
Brunswick Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Elyane Laussade Pianist, Philip Arkinstall clarinet, Jack Schiller bassoon, Josh de Graaf oboe and Carla Blackwood horn.
Piano & Wind Quintets by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
Mozart’s masterful Quintet in E♭ major (K. 452) stands as one of his most exquisite chamber works. Premiering at Vienna’s Imperial Court Theater in 1784, this remarkable piece showcases the composer’s genius in blending piano with four distinct wind instruments – oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon. Mozart himself declared it his finest composition, and indeed, the work demonstrates his extraordinary skill in crafting intricate dialogues between piano and winds, creating a tapestry of ever-changing musical colours and elegant conversations between instruments.
I. Largo – Allegro moderato (E♭ major, 4
4)
II. Larghetto (B♭ major, 3
8)
III. Allegretto (E♭ major, 2
2)
Beethoven’s Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds, Op. 16, composed in 1796, is a captivating work that mirrors Mozart’s Quintet, K. 452, in both instrumentation and key. Featuring piano, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, Beethoven’s piece extends the legacy of his predecessor while showcasing his own distinctive flair and innovation in composition.
I. Grave – Allegro ma non troppo (E-flat major)
II. Andante cantabile (B-flat major)
III. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo (E-flat major)
Brunswick Beethoven Festival
welcomes everyone
Brunswick Beethoven Festival is held in the City of Merri-bek (formerly Moreland).
In the inner north of Melbourne, the festival aims to provide audiences of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to enjoy classical music and contemporary for a night to remember.
This year, we return, bringing internationally and locally acclaimed talents.
Ticket prices are designed to be affordable:
- Students $20
- Concession $25
- General $35
Purchase our 2025 Festival Pass
You can also purchase a full festival pass for $250 to attend as many concerts as you wish. Or a half pass for 4 concerts at $125. This can be purchased on any of the concert pages.
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Brunswick Beethoven Festival
thanks its supporters
This festival would not be possible without the dedication and support of our volunteers and these key organisations.
Copyright Brunswick Beethoven Festival. All rights reserved.
For media or event enquiries contact Director Mark Higginbotham on 0438 384 574 or email.
Founder: Sergio de Pieri OAM (pictured left).
We acknowledge the Tradtional Owners of the land this festival operates of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging.