Camerata brings Mozart’s dramatic brilliance to season finale
Acclaimed cellist Hyung Suk Bae joins Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra for Fire and Finesse, a showcase of classical mastery that will close the ensemble’s 2026 mainstage season and offer audiences an exclusive first look at its plans for 2027.
Two of Mozart’s most celebrated symphonies, the expressive power of the cello and an exclusive preview of next year’s program will come together when Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra presents Fire and Finesse in Brisbane and Toowoomba this November.
The final mainstage concert of Camerata’s 2026 season, Fire and Finesse: Mozart in Motion will bring together musical drama, technical brilliance and emotional depth in a program spanning the Classical tradition and distinctive Australian and French compositions.
At the centre of the performances is internationally acclaimed cellist Hyung Suk Bae, principal cellist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO), who will take the solo spotlight for Jean Françaix’s Variations for Cello and Strings and Peter Sculthorpe’s Lament.
For audiences, the concerts offer an opportunity to hear one of Australia’s leading orchestral musicians showcase the cello’s versatility, moving from Françaix’s sparkling wit and lyrical elegance to the haunting introspection of Sculthorpe’s work.
Camerata artistic director Brendan Joyce said Bae’s musicianship made him an ideal centrepiece for the program.
“Hyung’s artistry is the perfect centrepiece for this program,” he says. “He combines extraordinary command of his instrument with a generosity of expression that immediately connects with audiences. Françaix’s sparkling wit and lyricism suit him beautifully, while Peter Sculthorpe’s Lament allows him to reveal a different, deeply reflective side of his musicianship.”
A soloist with international credentials
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Bae has built an international reputation for performances that combine technical mastery with expressive storytelling.
His career has included collaborations with leading ensembles such as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra. He has also performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House.
His musical training began at The Juilliard School in New York, where he completed Bachelor and Master of Music degrees on full scholarships under the mentorship of Joel Krosnick, former cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet.
Bae’s performances have earned praise for going beyond technical accomplishment to achieve a deeper level of artistry. Alongside his orchestral work, he is committed to music education, holding teaching positions at the University of Queensland and Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium.
His appearance with Camerata provides a different perspective on the musician, bringing his experience as a principal orchestral player into a program built around the expressive possibilities of the solo cello.
Mozart’s contrasting masterpieces
Framing Bae’s featured performances are Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G minor and Symphony No. 40 in G minor.
Presented together, the symphonies reveal the composer’s remarkable command of dramatic tension, melodic invention and emotional complexity.
The youthful urgency of Symphony No. 25, with its restless energy and turbulent character, contrasts with the sophistication and psychological depth of Symphony No. 40. Both works demonstrate Mozart’s ability to balance structural precision with music that feels immediate and intensely human.
For Camerata, the pairing also provides an opportunity to explore the scale and power of orchestral music.
Known for its intimate chamber performances and unconducted approach, the ensemble will embrace an expanded orchestral sound for the symphonies, drawing on its trademark energy, precision and close connection between musicians.
Without a conductor, the players rely on listening, communication and shared musical understanding to shape the performance. The result places the relationships between musicians at the heart of the experience, allowing audiences to witness the collaboration that brings the score to life.
The combination of Mozart’s symphonic writing with Françaix’s playful variations and Sculthorpe’s reflective composition creates a program that moves between grandeur, virtuosity and intimacy.
A first look at Camerata’s 2027 season
The concerts will also mark the official launch of Camerata’s 2027 season, giving audiences an opportunity to discover what lies ahead for the Queensland ensemble. Following each performance, ticketholders are invited to join the musicians in the foyer bar for an exclusive season reveal, with the launch included in every concert ticket.
The event offers an opportunity for audiences to connect with the performers and gain an early insight into the collaborations, musical discoveries and performances planned for the year ahead.
For Camerata, Fire and Finesse is both a culmination of its 2026 program and a starting point for the next chapter.
With Mozart’s dramatic brilliance, Françaix’s charm and Sculthorpe’s deeply moving musical voice, the concerts promise a fitting conclusion to the season – and an invitation to discover what comes next.
Fire and Finesse runs on November 1 and 14. Find out more and book tickets here.
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