Concert Four

'The first performance anywhere in the world of the complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies took place during the composer’s lifetime in 1825, performed by the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Around 30 years prior, Beethoven had composed his Sextet in E flat for horn duo and string quartet. An early composition in Beethoven’s oeuvre, the Sextet’s virtuosic horn parts foreshadow the prominent role the composer would assign to the instrument in his symphonies. 

The horn also features prominently in Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24, No. 2 for wind quintet, the second in a collection of 8 chamber music compositions entitled “Kammermusik” written by Hindemith in the 1920s for various ensembles. The first ever recording of Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No. 2 was by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Wind Quintet in 1925, released at the time on two 78-rpm records. 

Before succeeding Mendelssohn as music director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Danish composer Niels Gade conducted the premiere of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with soloist Ferdinand David and the Gewandhaus Orchestra in 1845. Gade’s Octet was composed shortly after Mendelssohn’s death, and it might well be a tribute to his friend and mentor, as Mendelssohn’s influence is instantly recognisable.'

– Tahlia Petrosian, Curator

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Sextet for Horns and String Quartet in E flat, Op. 81b (16′)

I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegro

Nicola Robinson | Horn^
Simen Fegran | Horn*
Karl Heinrich Niebuhr | Violin*
Felix Pascoe | Violin^
Harry Swainston | Viola^
Noah Lawrence | Cello^

Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Kleine Kammermusik for Wind Quintet, Op. 24 No. 2 (13′)

I. Lustig. Mäßig schnell Viertel (merry. moderately fast quarter-notes)
II. Walzer: Durchweg sehr leise (waltz: consistently very soft)
III. Ruhig und einfach (calm and simple)
IV. Schnelle Viertel (fast quarter notes)
V. Sehr lebhaft (very lively)

Maria Zhdanovich | Flute^
Alexandra King | Oboe^
Edgar Hesske | Clarinet*
Axel Benoit | Bassoon*
Ryan Humphrey | Horn^

Niels Gade (1817–1890)
String Octet in F, Op. 17 (35′)

I. Allegro molto e con fuoco
II. Andantino quasi allegretto
III. Scherzo. Allegro moderato e tranquillo
IV. Finale. Allegro vivace

Yun-Jin Cho | Violin*
Megan Yang | Violin^
Felix Pascoe | Violin^
Donica Tran | Violin^
Tahlia Petrosian | Viola*
Daniel You | Viola^
Axel von Huene | Cello*
Noah Lawrence | Cello^


* Musician from the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
^ Musician from the Australian National Academy of Music