‘Verve, beauty and optimism’ … connect to Musica Viva 2026
Great chamber works, modern masterpieces and trailblazing new commissions feature in Musica Viva’s 2026 season.
Chamber music is presumed to involve small ensembles and intimate venues. It has also been described as listening in on a conversation between friends.
Clearly open to definition and with a massive legacy, chamber music can be presented in numerous and imaginative ways. For Paul Kildea, Musica Viva’s artistic director, connection was an important driver in shaping next year’s offering.
The 2026 program is designed to appeal to conservative listeners, embrace futuristic trends and above all forge a gratifying bond between performer, composer and audience.
Ambitiously, there are seven national tours across six states, 49 concerts and four world premieres including new works by British composer Charlotte Bray and Australian Melody Eotvos. As always, an extensive and valuable suite of educational and practical music-making projects are directed at schools.
Identifying emerging artists through schemes such as FutureMakers, a two-year program nurturing early career artists, is integral to Musica Viva’s brief. Rewardingly, Lloyd Van’t Hoff, formerly involved in the scheme and now a highly sought-after clarinettist, appears with the London-based Doric Quartet. The content juxtaposes the contemporary with Thomas Adès’ stunning Alchymia for clarinet quintet and the old yet none-the-less confronting Razumovsky Quartet No.1 by Beethoven.
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It must be tough to achieve an equitable balance between homegrown and international artists, and to choose repertoire that favours those who prefer safe and cosy listening as well as content for the adventurous (who not only want to hear new music but are hungry for enduring classics to be interpreted innovatively).
The latter will appreciate Wintereisse, the intriguing opening event performed in February by the internationally acclaimed British tenor Allan Clayton and Australian pianist Kate Golla. Directed by Lindy Hume, Schubert’s enduringly popular song cycle set in a freezing central European winter is infused with Australiana and animated artworks by the late Aussie artist Fred Williams. A triumph of storytelling, visual art and voice.
Decades ago, Musica Viva concerts mostly proffered a menu of string quartets sandwiched between piano trios. While these stalwart ensembles are represented by the Doric String Quartet and the piano trio by violin virtuoso Kristian Winter, Finnish Australian cellist Timo-Veikko Valve and pianist-storyteller Auro Go, fresh voices are also represented.
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Thomas Dunford, the French American so-called Eric Clapton of the lute, appears with the multi-award-winning cellist Nicolas Altstaedt. A duo designated to imprint Baroque music with a rock star sensibility. Dunford recounts music by Marin Marais and Antoine Forqueray and Altstaedt essays Bach’s cherished Cello Suites 1 and 5.
Similarly, the Aussie recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey appears in an exciting mix-and-match concert with the radical Latvian Radio Choir. This singing collective has been described as a sound laboratory because as well as delving into everything from Renaissance to contemporary music it explores experimental overtone and quartertone singing. Famed for its Nordic sound, the choir and Lacey will be delivering bird-themed confections and new commissions.
Next year Musica Viva continues to bring world-class music to the national community with a fascinating team including British concert pianist Paul Lewis, renowned for his original yet scholarly interpretations of classical masterpieces. This time Mozart’s sonatas are highlighted.
In July, American Canadian violinist Leila Josefowicz gives her debut appearance in Australia with pianist John Novacek, with works by Debussy and Stravinsky. Their rapport is said to be phenomenal and marvellous to witness because they have been musical partners since they were eight years old.
The catch cry for 2026 is “verve, beauty and optimism”, appropriate qualities in these troubled times. There is much to choose from in a season designed for all kinds of tastes and ages.