Fresh from playing at King Charles’ coronation, Australian violinist Madeleine Easton is heading up the 2023 Crossroads Chamber Music Festival, September 8 -10 presented with Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.
Bringing together local and international chamber musicians for a weekend of performances, this year’s festival will feature an exciting program of five concerts featuring one of Australia’s foremost concert pianists Phillip Shovk, violinist and Bach Akademie founder Madeleine Easton, the Phoenix Collective Quartet and Central Coast’s Concertante Ensemble chamber orchestra.
“Chamber music is at the heart of music making, it is passionate dialogue and conversation embodied in music. The Crossroads Festival of Chamber Music has, at its heart, the desire to present music of the highest international standard right here on the Central Coast,” said Crossroads Artistic Director Madeleine.
“This year’s festival presents a feast of chamber music including a duo recital, the Phoenix Ensemble, Bach Akademie Australia and the Coast’s very own Concertante Ensemble. Join the artists with five concerts over three days in and around Gosford as they explore the world’s greatest works of chamber music, taking you on a journey through music and time.”
The Crossroads Festival will launch with a special gala opening night at Central Coast Conservatorium in Mann Street on Friday 8 September, featuring an intimate violin and piano recital by Madeleine and Phillip Shovk.
On Saturday there will be two concerts held in Robert Knox Hall. In the morning, Phillip Shovk will present works by Scarlatti, Schubert and three pieces arranged by legendary American pianist and composer Earl Wild, including Three Etudes on Gershwin songs.
In the afternoon, the Phoenix Collective take to the stage in Robert Knox Hall, with a program that will include Haydn’s String Quartet in D Major (The Lark) and Dvořák’s ‘American’ String Quartet.
On Sunday Bach Akademie will present ‘Bach on Sunday’ in the historic St Mary’s Chapel, Gosford, for a morning concert. The Festival will finish with a closing concert at Gosford Anglican Church featuring the Concertante Ensemble.
“I am so looking forward to performing in the newly renovated Robert Knox Hall at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. It is now a state of the art acoustic which the whole region can be proud of, and will truly showcase the talents of the internationally recognised artists that the Crossroads Festival of Chamber Music will present,” said Madeleine. “The stunning St Mary’s Chapel, which dates back to 1853, will also provide a beautifully intimate setting for our Bach on Sunday concert.”
Crossroads Chamber Music Festival 2023
Friday 8 to Sunday 10 September
PROGRAM
Friday 8 September
Opening Gala with Madeleine Easton & Phillip Shovk
6pm, Robert Knox Hall
Saturday 9 September
Concert 1 – Phillip Shovk in Recital
11am, Robert Knox Hall
Concert 2 – The Phoenix Collective | The Art of the String Quartet
3pm, Robert Knox Hall
Sunday 10 September
Concert 3 – Bach Akadamie | Bach on Sunday
11.30am, St Mary’s Chapel Gosford
Concert 4 – Concertante Ensemble
3pm, Gosford Anglican Church
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CKVKL
