Led by Artistic Director Richard Tognetti since 1990, the ACO performs more than 100 concerts each year. Whether performing in Manhattan, New York, or Wollongong, NSW, the ACO is unwavering in its commitment to creating transformative musical experiences.
The Orchestra regularly collaborates with artists and musicians who share its ideology: from Emmanuel Pahud, Steven Isserlis, Dawn Upshaw, Olli Mustonen, Brett Dean and Ivry Gitlis, to Neil Finn, Jonny Greenwood, Barry Humphries and Meow Meow; to visual artists and film makers such as Bill Henson, Shaun Tan, Jon Frank, and Jennifer Peedom, who have co-created unique, hybrid productions for which the ACO has become renowned
Testament to its international reputation, the ACO undertook a three-year residency as International Associate Ensemble at Milton Court in partnership with London’s Barbican Centre from the 2018/19 season. This residency followed on from the success of ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti’s time as the Barbican’s first ever Artist-in-Residence at Milton Court Concert Hall.
In addition to its national and international touring schedule, the Orchestra has an active recording program across CD, vinyl and digital formats. Its recordings of Bach’s violin works won three consecutive ARIA Awards. Recent releases include Water | Night Music, the first Australian-produced classical vinyl for two decades, and the ARIA and AACTA award-winning soundtrack, River.
Introducing Mountain – an epic cinematic and musical collaboration between the ACO and BAFTA-nominated Sherpa director, Jennifer Peedom, narrated by four-time Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe. Shot by the world’s leading high altitude cinematographers, this film explores the nature of our modern fascination with mountains. At these events the ACO will perform live with the film, featuring works by Chopin, Vivaldi, Grieg, and new works by Richard Tognetti
It is indisputable that the constant evolution of the western classical music canon has been shaped by the enduring genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Continuing to this day, Bach’s ideas are woven into the work of successive generations; Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Bartók, Schoenberg,
Glass, and Adams have all considered Bach before putting pen to paper.
Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra will be joined by cellist Steven Isserlis for a program celebrating the enduring legacy of JS Bach. Featuring Bach (Kanon zu ach Stimmen & The Art of Fugue: Fuga a 3 Soggetti unfinished), Beethoven (Grosse Fuge, Op. 133), Sofia Gubaidulina (Reflections on the Theme of B-A-C-H), John Tavener (Eternal Memory), and the World Premiere tour performances of a new work of John Adams (Iron Jig) commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Program:
JS BACH — Kanon zu acht Stimmen
ARVO PÄRT — Collage über B-A-C-H: I. Toccata
JS BACH (arr. Mozart) — Fugue No.5 in D major, K.405
JOHN ADAMS — Iron Jig World Premier
CPE BACH — Cello Concerto in A major, Wq.172
SOFIA GUBAIDULINA — Reflections on the Theme of B-A-C-H
JOHN TAVENER — Eternal Memory
JS BACH — The Art of Fugue: Fuga a 3 Soggetti (unfinished)
LV BEETHOVEN — Grosse Fuge, Op.133″
Alongside mainstage orchestral performances, the ACO offers a range of initiatives to foster deeper connections with audiences and add an additional element to a visit from the Orchestra.
