Former Central Coast Conservatorium teacher Dan Russell returns to the historic Robert Knox Hall this year, with the first of four intimate concerts with Phoenix Collective string quartet.
Violinist Dan founded the Phoenix Collective Quartet in 2018 when living in Copacabana and teaching at Central Coast Con. Together with violinist Pip Thompson, viola player Ella Brinch and cellist Andrew Wilson, Dan will be bringing four concerts to Gosford as part of its touring concert series, with the first on Sunday 23 March at 2pm.
Fresh from their Sydney Opera House debut, PCQ will 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.
About the 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. Phoenix Collective also champions new music, bringing it to audiences through their touring concert series.
Their diverse collaborations with luminaries such as Katie Noonan, William Barton and Tenzin Choegyal have introduced chamber music to new audiences around the country.
Since its formation the quartet 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.
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”.
022 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.
American Dreams | Sunday 23 March, 2pm
- 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 Phoenix Collective Concert dates
- 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.
