Selby & Friends reprises popular Basically Beethoven concerts this September

SF Basically BeethovenNow in its fourth year, Basically Beethoven continues Selby & Friends’ exploration of the composer’s oeuvre of chamber music with piano in a series of concerts this September.

This highly anticipated annual event on the Selby & Friends calendar features Artistic Director and pianist, Kathryn Selby AM, joined by two brilliant guest artists, violinist Daniel Dodds and cellist Timo-Veikko Valve.

“This program shows yet again how versatile Beethoven was within the piano trio genre, understanding as he did how important it was for audiences to have access to it in smaller, more manageable formats,” said Selby. ” This follows on from our highly successful ‘Triple Concerto’ earlier in the season and I am looking forward to exploring the repertoire with Dan and Tipi – two amazing artists with whom I love working.”

This year’s program is a bold brush-stroke through Beethoven’s early genius, foreshadowing the dramatic impact of his later compositions. The Opus 11 Trio in B-flat major, originally scored for clarinet, cello and piano is performed here in Beethoven’s version for piano trio.

A taste of Beethoven’s very first published work, the powerful Piano Trio Op. 1 No. 3, was a revelation even in its day. Selby & Friends closes the program with a rarely performed gem – the master’s own transcription of his Symphony No. 2.

Virtuoso Australian violinist Daniel Dodds, Leader/Artistic Director of the famed Festival Strings Lucerne, returns for his third highly anticipated engagement with Selby & Friends. Appearing regularly with stellar ensembles the world over as leader or soloist, Dodds has become a household name in Europe and has garnered kudos of the highest order.

Cellist Timo-Veikko Valve, soloist and Principal Cellist of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, is a long-time Selby & Friends audience favourite. Finnish-born ‘Tipi’ has toured as a chamber musician throughout Europe, Asia and the US, and he also curates the ACO’s chamber music series in Sydney and is a founding member of Jousia Ensemble and Jousia Quartet.

Kathryn Selby AM is Australia’s pre-eminent award-winning chamber music pianist whose ensemble Selby & Friends is now in its eleventh subscription concert season. A hallmark of Selby & Friends is the consistently high performance quality and variety achieved with a rotating roster of illustrious guest artists. Basically Beethoven #4 offers this brilliance and more as the next eagerly awaited chapter in a beloved series.

Basically Beethoven #4
St Jude’s Church, 38 Bendooley Street, Bowral
Performance: Saturday 16 September 2017 – 5.00pm
Bookings: www.selbyandfriends.com.au

Turramurra Uniting Church, 10 Turramurra Avenue, Turramurra
Performance: Sunday 17 September 2017 – 2.30pm
Bookings: www.selbyandfriends.com.au

James O Fairfax Theatre – National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Performance: Monday 18 September 2017 – 7.30pm
Bookings: www.selbyandfriends.com.au

Deakin Edge – Federation Square, Melbourne
Performance: Wednesday 20 September 2017 – 7.30pm
Bookings: www.selbyandfriends.com.au

City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney
Performance: Thursday 21 September 2017 – 7.00pm
Bookings: www.cityrecitalhall.com

Elder Hall – University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Performance: Sunday 24 September 2017 – 2.30pm
Bookings: www.selbyandfriends.com.au

For more information, visit: www.selbyandfriends.com.au for details.

Image: Timo-Veikko Valve, Daniel Dodds and Kathryn Selby AM (supplied)