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Snapshot of MICMC

by Josephine Vains 6th July, 2018
by Josephine Vains 6th July, 2018
309

We’re now at the pointy end of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, and for this listener it’s a great pity to think it’ll all be over on Sunday night. We began the week with 16 ensembles, and as of Thursday evening we’re down to 10. Friday sees all semi-finalists performing a work by the teutonic greats, either Beethoven or Schubert. If you can still get a ticket, do so. The Finals on Sunday will see three quartets and three trios, each to perform a piece of their own choice in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall of the Melbourne Recital Centre. By about 9pm the bubbly will be flowing and it’ll all be over for another four years.

In Round 2 we were privy to some extraordinary interpretations from the 19th century chamber music canon. Trio Gaon’s Brahms Op.8 was extraordinary on every level, and the Amatis Trio had the audience in raptures after a blistering Mendelssohn D minor. We heard extremes of interpretation in the French quartet music – Ravel and Debussy featured large for the string quartets, although none in particular were glitch-free. Who would want that anyway? For me it’s the human qualities in this music that convinces. I’m looking forward to the Eliot Quartet’s Death and the Maidentoday at 2pm. A brave choice, but worth it if it comes off.

New to every listener in Round 2 were the commissioned works from Australian composers Paul Stanhope and Holly Harrison. It’s a fascinating opportunity to hear different imaginations of the just dry dots on the page. This is at the heart of musicking, and the enjoyment it brings the listener as we hear the same work played with such freshness and at times, abandon. Holly Harrison’s Balderdash was exactly as intended, a lot of mad fun in the Lewis Carroll sense (from whose literature she draws inspiration), embracing musical absurdities in a digestible way. Germany’s Goldmund Quartett even removed their jackets and went black T-shirts to the amusement of the crowd. Paul Stanhope’s Pulses also revealed a multitude of techniques and places to trip up. His writing explored the pulses of frequency and rhythm, from pizzicati in the strings to chord patterns in the piano. Stanhope also gave the musicians a choose-your-own-ending option, writing two possible endings to bring an element of surprise to each performance. His skill cements him as one of the leading Australian composers.

I’m very clear on who I’d like to hear again – Trio Mosa are interesting and very confident, the Amatis Trio even more so. I am blown away by the Trio Gaon, their playing takes me back to the class of the Trio Jean Paul who triumphed in 1995. We’ll see what happens. As to the quartets, for me the Eliot and Gildas are the ones with something of their own to say. None of them are flash in the pan ensembles either, although we’ll see in a few years which groups stay together (watch for an updated post “Where are they now” on Saturday.)

The audience has been as it is every MICMC – warm, opinionated and enthusiastic. You see the same faces, the chamber music lovers who are prepared to sit for hours upon hours, listening to the same piece multiple times. They wouldn’t miss it. I know how they feel.

The Semi-Finalists are :

The Mosa Trio, Amatis Trio, Trio Gaon, Clarendon Trio (the lone Australian group) and Trio Marvin

Idomeneo Quartet, Gildas Quartet, Goldmund Quartet, Callisto Quartet, Eliot Quartet

Concerts are at the South Melbourne Town Hall at 9.30am, 11.30am, 2pm, 4pm and 7.30pm.

More information about repertoire and tickets here https://musicaviva.com.au/comp/micmc-events/

 

 

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Events Calendar

35 events found.
  • July 2025

Calendar of Events

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1 event, 2

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Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

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$20 – $105
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2 events, 11

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MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

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$25 – $113
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Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

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Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

SET 1 Australian/Finnish, Finland-based musician Simon Svoboda is back to perform in Melbourne, joined on stage by dear friend and cello…

$22

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BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Chamber music at its most spirited. The Benaud Trio is one of Australia's finest and most lively chamber ensembles. Celebrating their…

$40 – $50
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

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Chamber music at its most spirited. The Benaud Trio is one of Australia's finest and most lively chamber ensembles. Celebrating their…

$40 – $50

1 event, 13

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

Highlighting the warmth and beauty of the MCO sound. One of the most iconic works, Barber’s Adagio for Strings lifts the lid on…

$30 – $144

1 event, 14

8:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Dvořák’s Cello Concerto Quick Fix at Half Six

July 14 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Dvořák’s Cello Concerto Quick Fix at Half Six

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$20 – $139
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July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

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$20 – $139

3 events, 18

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ELISION Ensemble AXIS MUNDI

July 18 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

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$45 – $55
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Tempo Rubato: Beyond Time Trio – Butterfly Garden

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

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$20 – $30
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Inland and Astra: Still Lives

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Inland and Astra: Still Lives

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$15 – $30

3 events, 19

2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

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July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

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$20 – $139
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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

From New York to Peru. Conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya returns to lead the MSO, opening with his fellow Peruvian’s work Fiesta! and…

$20 – $139
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Tempo Rubato: Olive Cullen & Ronan Apcar – Ocean Whisperings

July 19 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Olive Cullen & Ronan Apcar – Ocean Whisperings

For the first time in Melbourne, Olive Cullen (voice) and Ronan Apcar (piano) present Ocean Whisperings. The program is made up…

$25 – $30

1 event, 20

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tempo Rubato: Sunday Mattutino – Melbourne Guitar Quartet

July 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tempo Rubato: Sunday Mattutino – Melbourne Guitar Quartet

MELBOURNE GUITAR QUARTET Dan McKay | Sophie Marcheff | Benjamin Dix | Rose Gonzalez PROGRAM Robbie MELVILLE Brothers* Phillip HOUGHTON Opals…

$25

1 event, 21

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

Yearning and tenderness German cellist Raphaela Gromes performs Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. Dedicated in part to the composer’s dying sister-in-law, this work…

$20 – $93

1 event, 22

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Musica Viva Australia: Mozart’s Clarinet

July 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Musica Viva Australia: Mozart’s Clarinet

The Spirit of Invention. Vienna, 1785. Johann Friedrich Schink is blown away by a new work featuring the clarinet and basset…

$49 – $153

3 events, 23

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

July 23 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

Virtuosity and grace: Natalie Chee and Benett Tsai join Kathryn Selby for a masterful concert. The third program of this season…

$63 – $81
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

July 23 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

Virtuosity and grace: Natalie Chee and Benett Tsai join Kathryn Selby for a masterful concert. The third program of this season…

$63 – $81
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Astra: Commas and

July 23 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Astra: Commas and

FORTY-EIGHT: FALLING & RISING, GLINTS, COMMAS, TILING CANONS, SPIRAL STUDY with canons by JS Bach An ensemble of leading Australian musicians…

$20 – $35

0 events, 24

1 event, 25

7:30 pm - 9:20 pm

Sjaella

July 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm

Sjaella

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$59 – $69

4 events, 26

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Robin Fox – The History of Australian Electronic Music

July 26 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Robin Fox – The History of Australian Electronic Music

Experience the history of Australian electronic music with acclaimed artist Robin Fox. As part of Open House Melbourne 2025, Melbourne Recital…

$10
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Homophonic! presents: ‘Moonlite’

July 26 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Homophonic! presents: ‘Moonlite’

Homophonic! and The Consort of Melbourne are proud to present the Australian Premiere of 'Moonlite' by Wally Gunn (Music) and Maria…

$35.00 – $49.00
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Orchestra Victoria’s Southbank Series Concert 2: Prismatic Echoes

July 26 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Orchestra Victoria’s Southbank Series Concert 2: Prismatic Echoes

Orchestra Victoria’s Southbank Series, discover extraordinary orchestral music from the best seat in the house. This series offers a rare opportunity…

$19 – $69
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

La La Chorale Française de Melbourne: Bastille Soirée 2025

July 26 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

La La Chorale Française de Melbourne: Bastille Soirée 2025

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$20 – $35

2 events, 27

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

The Classical Collective in Concert

July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

The Classical Collective in Concert

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$35 – $40
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Kate Milligan, Louise Devenish, and Aaron Wyatt: Dark Oceanography

July 27 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Kate Milligan, Louise Devenish, and Aaron Wyatt: Dark Oceanography

In this world premiere of a new work by Kate Milligan, Louise Devenish, and Aaron Wyatt, the live performances of three…

$20 – $39

0 events, 28

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0 events, 30

0 events, 31

1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

Playing the works from their vast back catalogue that have earned the brothers justifiable recognition as Australia’s finest classical guitarists.

$52 – $65

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

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July 2
July 2 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Listening Room #6: New York Minimalism & the Avant Garde

July 3
July 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Live at Toorak: Richard Tognetti x Konstantin Shamray

July 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Mendelssohns

July 3 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

July 4
July 4 @ 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm Event Series

Orchestra Victoria: Indie Symphony II: Video Games in Concert

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July 7
July 7 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Darcy Gilkerson – A Glow in the Dark

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  • There are no events on this day.
July 10
July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 11
July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

MSO and Short Black Opera: Yinya dana: lighting the path

July 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Simon Svoboda | Callum Mintzis

July 12
July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Event Series

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

July 13
July 13 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Pastorale

July 14
July 14 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Dvořák’s Cello Concerto Quick Fix at Half Six

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 17
July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 18
July 18 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

ELISION Ensemble AXIS MUNDI

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Beyond Time Trio – Butterfly Garden

July 18 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Inland and Astra: Still Lives

July 19
July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm Event Series

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Fiesta! Dvorak’s Cello Concerto & Chindamo

July 19 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tempo Rubato: Olive Cullen & Ronan Apcar – Ocean Whisperings

July 20
July 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tempo Rubato: Sunday Mattutino – Melbourne Guitar Quartet

July 21
July 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s Cello Concerto – Quick Fix at Half Six

July 22
July 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Musica Viva Australia: Mozart’s Clarinet

July 23
July 23 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

July 23 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

Selby & Friends: A Ghostly Afternoon

July 23 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Astra: Commas and

  • There are no events on this day.
July 25
July 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm

Sjaella

July 26
July 26 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Robin Fox – The History of Australian Electronic Music

July 26 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Homophonic! presents: ‘Moonlite’

July 26 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Orchestra Victoria’s Southbank Series Concert 2: Prismatic Echoes

July 26 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

La La Chorale Française de Melbourne: Bastille Soirée 2025

July 27
July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

The Classical Collective in Concert

July 27 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Kate Milligan, Louise Devenish, and Aaron Wyatt: Dark Oceanography

August 1
August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

July 27
July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

The Classical Collective in Concert

July 27 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Kate Milligan, Louise Devenish, and Aaron Wyatt: Dark Oceanography

  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 1
August 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Grigoryan Brothers: Amistad

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