One of Australia’s most celebrated chamber ensembles, Ensemble Q, continues its 2026 National Concert Series with a program of compelling contrasts and expressive power taking over Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre and University of Queensland this August.
Béla Bartók’s Contrasts ignites the program with a virtuosic trio for clarinet, violin and piano. Infused with Hungarian and Romanian folk influences, the work is raw, playful and rhythmically unpredictable.
Margaret Sutherland’s Nocturne offers a striking change of mood, turning inward with shimmering softness and suspended lines that reveal a composer of striking subtlety, brought to life by violinist Adam Chalabi.
Rounding out the concert is Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor Op.60, an emotionally charged and deeply romantic work whose sombre beauty and soaring lyricism echo his lifelong, unspoken love for Clara Schumann.
The program features pianist Daniel de Borah, a founding member of Ensemble Q Australia and leading Australian musician. Since his prize-winning appearances at the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, Daniel has given recitals on four continents and toured extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Australia.
As a concerto soloist he has appeared with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, Tasmanian, Adelaide and Auckland Symphony Orchestras.
Daniel’s passion for chamber music is peaked in this program that offers fiery virtuosity in the Bartók, serenity in the Sutherland and one of his very favourite works, the deeply romantic Brahms C minor piano quartet.
Internationally acclaimed UK violist Benjamin Roskams has travelled to Australia especially to join Ensemble Q and the Australian World Orchestra for their 2026 seasons.
This multi-talented musician has held prestigious positions on both violin and viola, from engagements as Concertmaster with leading German orchestras, to Principal Viola for the First Night of the Proms with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Alongside Ensemble Q Australia musicians at their peak, this is chamber music at its most vivid, expressive and exhilarating.
Ensemble Q Play Bartók & Brahms will be presented in the Utzon Room – Sydney Opera House (21 August), Primrose Potter Salon – Melbourne Recital Centre (22 August) and GHD Auditorium – University of Queensland (23 August). For more information, visit: www.ensembleqaustralia.com for details.
Image: Daniel de Borah (supplied)