Phoenix Collective | American Dreams

We are delighted to welcome the Phoenix Collective quartet (Artistic Director Dan Russell, violin; Pip Thompson, violin; Ella Brinch, viola, and Andrew Wilson, cello) to Central Coast Conservatorium’s Robert Knox Hall for the first of four intimate 2025 concerts, with their American Dreams concert on Sunday 23 March at 2pm.

Fresh from their Sydney Opera House debut, PCQ present a program of music inspired by American folk music. Dvořák’s well-loved ‘American Quartet’, written in Iowa on the basis of his experiences in the New World, is complemented by some updated takes on American traditional music. Bluegrass fiddler Mark O’Connor’s crossover ‘Old Time’ string quartet showcases elements of Appalachian folk music, with driving rhythms and Copland-esque stylings, while the quirky works of John Adams comprise imaginary dances with yet-to-be invented steps.

Program

John Adams – excerpts from John’s Alleged Book of Dances

Mark O’Connor – String Quartet no 3 ‘Old Time’

Antonin Dvořák – String Quartet no 12 ‘American’

Other 2025 Recital Concert dates are:

• French Connection – 15 June, 2pm
• Bella Italia – 17 August, 2pm
• At the Grave of Beethoven – 30 November, 2pm

Tickets for each concert are $55 or you can BUY A 2025 RECITAL SERIES SUBSCRIPTION TICKET for $196 for all four.

Click HERE for subscription details

About Phoenix Collective

One of the most versatile and dynamic ensembles working in Australia today, Phoenix Collective are known for their eclectic and adventurous programming, effortlessly interweaving string quartet classics with contemporary and popular genres.

Their diverse collaborations with luminaries such as Katie Noonan, William Barton and Tenzin Choegyal have introduced chamber music to new audiences around the country.

Formed in 2018 by violinist Dan Russell, Phoenix rapidly became a fixture of the musical landscape with their own series of concerts, touring Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and the Central Coast. Their schedule includes Candlelight concerts for international events company Fever, for whom they have performed many diverse programs from Beethoven and Mozart string quartets to Daft Punk, Taylor Swift and sold-out Studio Ghibli programs.

Phoenix’s innovative approach has seen them collaborate with artists in a variety of genres, including cabaret and opera superstar the late Jacqui Dark, singer/songwriter Martha Marlow, Katie Noonan, the late Archie Roach and Tibetan traditional musician Tenzin Choegyal. They performed in the opening and closing concerts at the 2022 National Folk Festival and presented their own program of Nordic folk music. In 2023 they performed at the National Multicultural Festival, debuted at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Art Gallery of NSW, later that year Phoenix performed for the Australia Awards with superstar didjeridu player William Barton at Old Parliament House and opera singer Shauntai Sherree Abdul Rahman at the Sydney Opera House and gave a presentation for TedX at Canberra Theatre, “A Language Without Words – How Music Conveys Contrasting Emotions”.

Phoenix Collective also champions new music, bringing it to audiences through their touring concert series. 2022 saw them perform world premieres by Australian composers Sally Whitwell and Mace Francis, and in 2023 they featured the music of Ella Macens and rising star Emma Greenhill. They have broadcast through the Australian Digital Concert Hall, and have produced their own digital content with the help of grants provided by the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian Culture Fund. Their sixth and seventh CDs will be released this year.

Phoenix also presents an ongoing series of concerts for the homeless and vulnerable at Wayside Chapel under the auspices of Judith Neilson AM.

With an ever-increasing recording and external workload, Phoenix Collective is one of Australia’s busiest string quartets. 2024 will see them tour nationally for the Musica Viva Australia in schools program, return to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and begin a series of themed concerts for the Australian War Memorial.