Francis Merson is a classical music educator, clinical psychologist and long-time friend of the ACO. In this podcast dedicated to the ACO's 'Baroque Revelry' series, Francis explores the extraordinary variety of Baroque music. The podcast takes us from the court of Louis XIV in Versailles to the canals of Venice, from the depths of hell to celestial heights, from bawdy madrigals to opulent arias – with a bit of everything in between...

Francis Merson is a clinical psychologist, classical music educator, and long time friend of the ACO. In this podcast, released ahead of the third tour of our 2021 Season, 'Schubert's Quintet'.

This grand quintet is a journey through sadness, fear, contemplation and joy, with a melodic richness reflecting Schubert’s status as one of the great writers of song.

Tune in; to dive deep into Schubert's 'perfect' Quintet with Francis Merson.

Francis Merson is a clinical psychologist, classical music educator, and long time friend of the ACO. In this podcast, released ahead of the second tour of our 2021 Season, 'Beethoven & Bridgetower', Francis is joined by ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti and 'Beethoven & Bridgetower' scriptwriter Anna Goldsworthy to explore the fascinating story of George Bridgetower, the original dedicatee of Beethoven's beloved Violin Sonata in A major, Op.47, better known today as the 'Kreutzer' Sonata.

Francis Merson is a clinical psychologist, classical music educator, and long time friend of the ACO. In this podcast, released ahead of the first tour of our 2021 season, 'Tabula Rasa', Francis takes us on a whirlwind tour of the works by Arvo Pärt, Shostakovich, Kilar, Prokofiev, and Thomas Adès featured as part of the 'Tabula Rasa' program, exploring their history and the fascinating and often turbulent circumstances behind their composition.

'Richard is Busy: Podcast Episode 1'

Satu Vänskä, Principal Violin of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, interviews ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti.

Says Satu: "In absence of the strict touring schedule in the Sydney-winter of 2020, between endless cups of tea and ruminations whilst the dough was rising, I came up with the idea of threatening Richard with a microphone in hope that he would take some time off in his studio if I interviewed him. What is he doing there all day and night? What keeps him so busy? He picked a few topics and pieces of music he was adamant to talk about but as you will hear, the ‘interview’ quickly starts shooting in all kinds of directions esoteric and technical, leaving me to try to make sense of it all for your benefit. I hope you’ll find it a little bit informative and somewhat entertaining. We talk about Feldman, Xenakis, Mozart, Bach, EDM, Jimmy Barnes, his own music and inspirations, different tunings and sound frequencies, get in a tiff and break some dishes."

Artist: Satu

Release title: Hypnosis / The Other Way

Artwork by Richard Tognetti

Recorded at Temple Studio, Manly

Hypnosis

Music & Lyrics by Richard Tognetti

Produced by Kim Moyes & Joseph Nizeti

Engineered by Joseph Nizeti

Mixed by Kim Moyes

Mastered by Ben Feggans

Satu Vänskä: Vocals

Richard Tognetti: Violin, Electric Violin

Joseph Nizeti: Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard, Synthesiser, Drum Programming

The Other Way

Music & Lyrics by Richard Tognetti

Produced by Kim Moyes & Joseph Nizeti

Engineered by Joseph Nizeti

Mixed by Kim Moyes

Mastered by Ben Feggans

Satu Vänskä: Vocals

Richard Tognetti: Violin

Slava Grigoryan: Acoustic Guitar

Jim Moginie: Electric Guitar

Joseph Nizeti: Electric Guitar, Synthesiser

Artist: Satu

Release title: Hypnosis / The Other Way

Artwork by Richard Tognetti

Recorded at Temple Studio, Manly

Hypnosis

Music & Lyrics by Richard Tognetti

Produced by Kim Moyes & Joseph Nizeti

Engineered by Joseph Nizeti

Mixed by Kim Moyes

Mastered by Ben Feggans

Satu Vänskä: Vocals

Richard Tognetti: Violin, Electric Violin

Joseph Nizeti: Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard, Synthesiser, Drum Programming

The Other Way

Music & Lyrics by Richard Tognetti

Produced by Kim Moyes & Joseph Nizeti

Engineered by Joseph Nizeti

Mixed by Kim Moyes

Mastered by Ben Feggans

Satu Vänskä: Vocals

Richard Tognetti: Violin

Slava Grigoryan: Acoustic Guitar

Jim Moginie: Electric Guitar

Joseph Nizeti: Electric Guitar, Synthesiser

In our latest podcast, Richard Tognetti reflects on what has made him most proud over his 30 years as Artistic Director and how his time with the ACO has shaped the 2020 Season. From diving headfirst into cross-artform collaborations, maintaining an emphasis on imaginative and challenging programming, and the evolution of the ACO into a ‘hybrid’ ensemble that perform everything from Bach and Beethoven to Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and electronica artist Anna Meredith.

Get acquainted with our Indies & Idols tour in just four minutes, as ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti discusses the indie musicians making the Orchestral leap and shares an excerpt of Szymanowski’s second string quartet, one of his favourite works from the Polish composer.

In this episode of the ACO podcast we speak to saxophone icon Branford Marsalis and Principal Violin Satu Vänskä about their upcoming tour together.

Music featured in this podcast:

SALLY BEAMISH Saxophone Concerto No. 2, "Under the Wing of the Rock" [Branford Marsalis, Royal Scottish National Orchestra]

GINASTERA Concerto for Strings, Op. 33: I. Variazioni per i solisti [Candida Thompson, Amsterdam Sinfonietta]

GINASTERA Concerto for Strings, Op. 33: IV. Finale furioso [Candida Thompson, Amsterdam Sinfonietta]

BRANFORD MARSALIS Snake Hip Waltz [Branford Marsalis Quartet]

PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Primavera Porteña [Gidon Kremer, Kremerata Baltica]

PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Primavera Porteña [Astor Piazzolla]

PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Verano Porteño [Gidon Kremer, Kremerata Baltica]

PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Verano Porteño [Astor Piazzolla]

STRAVINSKY Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo: III. [Sabine Meyer]

VILLA-LOBOS Fantasia, Op. 630: I. Animé [Pedro Pablo Cámara Toldos, I Musici di Basilea]