Exploring unrequited love of two of the world’s greatest composers, the Sydney Art Quartet performs Janáček’s String Quartet No.2 “Intimate Letters” and Beethoven’s Op.95 No.11 “Quartetto Serioso”.

Supported by actor and narrator, Jack Angwin, the Sydney Art Quartet will delve into the sometimes tortured lives of these creative genius’ with excerpts from love letters written by the composers and extracts from the diary of one of Beethoven’s most avid admirers, Franziska (Fanny) Giannatosio del Rio.

This concert is set in Swifts grand ballroom for two nights only.

Entry includes post-concert drinks reception.

Venue: Swifts

Music by Janáček and Beethoven

MUSICIANs

THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA

Violin

French-Australian violinist Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba first found his calling at the age of five when he chose a violin lesson over a BMX for his birthday.

His childhood, divided between Hobart and the small French village of Colombier-Fontaine was filled with busking at local markets and rehearsing with his first string quartet, ‘Tasmanic’. This formative eight year collaboration culminated in the quartet showcasing Australian music at the Festival Internationale de Musique Universitaire (Fimu) in France in 2003.

After several years of mentorship with Peter Tanfield in Tasmania, Thibaud studied at the Australian National Academy of Music with Paul Wright and Bill Hennessy, where he won the ANAM chamber music competition in 2011. During this time, Thibaud further developed his passion for chamber music; studying and performing with members of the Brodsky Quartet, Nicolas Altstaedt, Alban Gerhardt and Anthony Marwood. In 2013, he was selected to join the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy in Dortmund, Germany.

In 2014 Thibaud became an Emerging Artist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra under the mentorship of Zoe Black and Helena Rathbone, after which he became a part-time member of the orchestra for four years. In 2015 he was a fellow with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Thibaud continues to perform on projects basis with the SSO, while also embracing projects with Sydney Dance Company and performing at national festivals such as the Australian World Orchestra Chamber Festival, Adelaide Festival and the Canberra International Music Festival.

ANNA ALBERT

Violin & CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Anna began violin lessons in Sydney at the age of 5. She graduated from Sydney University in 2001 with a BMus in Violin Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in French.  Her love of the french language lead to an exchange to McGill University in Montreal during her final years where she studied violin, conducting and french.   

Having fallen in love with Montreal, Anna decided to complete her postgraduate studies at McGill University, studying with Ellen Jewett receiving a Licenciate Diploma in Violin Performance in 2004. During this time she developed an avid love of chamber music, whilst also touring nationally with the Orchestre de la Francophonie and attending the Domaine Forget summer academy, studying with Yehonotan Berick.

Since returning to Australia Anna has worked as a freelance violinist in Sydney, currently performing with the Opera Australia Orchestra who she has played with since 2005. She has also performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra. Keen to revisit the northern hemisphere Anna attended the Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg where she studied with Yair Kless. 

Anna has been a member of the Sydney Art Quartet since 2016 and she performs on a violin by Denis Cormier, Montreal.

ANDREW JEZEK

Viola & Co-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Andrew began his musical journey on the piano at the tender age of six and added violin to the mix at his primary school in Canberra so he could join the local youth orchestra society. He studied viola with Vincent Edwards and Charmian Gadd at the Australian National University, Canberra School of Music, graduating with honours in 1991.

With a strong desire to explore his central European roots for a couple of years, Andrew continued his studies in Europe with scholarships at at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich with Jürgen Weber (viola) and the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna with Karl Österreicher (conducting).

Andrew was co-principal viola in the renowned Viennese contemporary music ensemble Klangforum Wien from 1996 to 2013, and has performed at most major contemporary music festivals in Europe.

Andrew has had the great fortune to work closely with some of the foremost contemporary composers including Georges Aperghis, Luciano Berio, Beat Furrer, Georg Friedrich Haas, Enno Poppe, Helmut Lachenmann, Salvatore Sciarrino.

Andrew was also strongly involved in the avantgarde music scene in Vienna and delved into many genres as a member of the Vienna Art Orchestra, MozartBand (ever heard an electrified viola with a wah-wah pedal?) and active in the improvised jazz scene.

In 2013, Andrew relocated to Sydney and now performs regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra, and as guest principal viola with the Australian and Opera Ballet Orchestra and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of the Australian World Orchestra.

Andrew plays on an Anton Kreutzinger viola, c. 1908.

ANDREW HINES

CELLO

Andrew Hines was born in England, had his early education in Australia, and then returned to England in his teens to study at the Purcell School, the Royal Academy of Music, and finally the Guildhall School of Music with Prof. Stefan Popov. He also studied with the Amadeus, Borodin, LaSalle and Alban Berg Quartets.

On completing his studies Andrew became an active member of a number of chamber ensembles, touring Europe and the Far East with the Parnassus Ensemble, which recorded and broadcast in Italy and Germany to critical acclaim.

In 1992 he became a member of the Medea Quartet, who were Quartet in Residence at York University and Fellows of the Royal Academy of Music. Responsibilities included individual lessons, chamber & orchestral coaching, and performances with undergraduates.

Andrew performed as soloist in England, Europe and the Far East, and undertook freelance orchestral work in England and Scotland. In September 2000, Andrew was appointed to a position with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and is currently Acting Assistant Principal. He has also worked on a casual basis with The Australian Chamber Orchestra & Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew plays on a Gagliano cello c.1807.