Romantic Dialogues | Music & Tea at WAG

ROMANTIC DIALOGUES for CLARINET, CELLO & PIANO  

• Brahms,  Clarinet Trio in A minor
• Bruch, 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Cello & Piano
• Daniel Thomas, clarinet Elizabeth Ring, cello Maria Stadnik, piano

INTRODUCTION TO THE MUSIC

JOHANNES BRAHMS - CLARINET TRIO Op.114

Brahm's life was punctuated by unrequited love; he never experienced the joys and sorrows that spring from a shared life. At 58, he wrote a will declaring his composing years over. Within months, inspired by clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld, whom Brahms called the 'dear nightingale,' he was immersed in composing works for clarinet. 

The Trio was Brahms's first work for clarinet. His friend Mandy (librarian of the Museum of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde wrote: "The inventive conception of the themes, born of the spirit of the wind instrument and, more especially, the harmonious blending of the tones of the clarinet and the cello, are magnificent; it is as though the instruments were in love with each other.”

MAX BRUCH - EIGHT PIECES Op.83

Bruch was a German Romantic composer and wrote this work for his son Felix, a theory teacher and accomplished clarinetist at the Hamburg Conservatory. The eight pieces are character works and are not required to be performed together or in sequence.  Unlike Brahms, where all instruments share the dialogue equally, these works focus on exchanges between the cello and clarinet, with the piano accompanying. 

MEET THE EMERGING CONCERT ARTISTS

Elizabeth,22,  grew up in Wollongong before relocating to Sydney; she recently completed her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (cello), studying with Julian Smile. Elizabeth is an avid performer with a passion for chamber music, and she has performed at the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, cruise ships, weddings, and corporate events. 

Maria, 23, was born in Switzerland before relocating to the United States, where she commenced piano lessons and became a multi-award-winning young artist. She is undertaking a Bachelor of Music and Advanced Studies at the University of Sydney, majoring in piano performance with Dr Rickard-Ford.  

Daniel, 22, recently completed his Bachelor of Music Performance (honours) under Francesco Celata at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2024 performed the Beethoven Septet at the Utzon Room of the Opera House with members of the Academy of St Martin in the Field. 

We pay our respect to the Traditional Custodians, their Ancestors who cared for this Country for many thousands of years, and their Elders and descendants who continue to care for Country. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Emerging Concert Artists 2025 Program

They are storytellers, and music is their language. Join us on the first Thursday of each month for a memorable musical experience with some of Australia's leading young performers. Visit the Wollongong Art Gallery and discover one of the town's most intimate and beautiful performance spaces. Entry is Free. Donating to artists' fees is appreciated!W

April 3 |  RESONANCE | Alexandra Boyling, cello & Rio Xiang piano

May 8 | THE CHAMELEON | Anna Chung, clarinet & Katherine Shin, piano

June 5 | SHADOWS OF ROMANCE | Benjamine Lam, violin & Dono Ng, piano

July 3 | CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK WITH MUSIC TBA

August 7 | WIND IN THE REEDS | Gahyun Lee, oboe & TBA piano

September 4 | HORIZONS | Sydney Conservatorium String Ensemble. 

October 2 | PIANO MUSIC FROM THE HEART |  Elsa Li, piano & Sophia Bae, piano

November 6 | TIMELINES |  Matthew Zengoski guitar with Nigel Jones guitar

December 4 | JAZZ STORIES | Tom Hains Quartet