Selby launches 10th anniversary season with a celebration of Varied Virtues

Published by: Taylor Campbell | 17-Jan-2016
Australian virtuoso pianist and entrepeneur, Kathryn Selby AM, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her renowned chamber music series Selby & Friends in 2016, continuing the crowd pleasing success of her previous tour, where audiences were thrilled by the dynamic and vibrant performances in an intimate and friendly setting. The first leg of the tour commences in February with old friends, violist Andrew Haveron and cellist Timo-Veikko Valve.
Valve has performed numerous times with Selby and the pair often seek out opportunities to perform together whenever Valve's busy schedule as Principal Cello with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) permits. Finnish-born Valve is renowned as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation, having performed to acclaim as a soloist around the world, while also performing with the ACO since 2006.

London-born Haveron arrived in Sydney with a reputation as one of the most sought-after violinists of his generation and is the current concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. During his career he has performed with some of the world's leading conductors, including Colin Davis and Roger Norrington, and is in great demand around the world as a concertmaster and director.

Selby, Australia's pre-eminent chamber music pianist, boasts a string of international and Australian performance awards appraising her 'formidable talent', is the Artistic Director of the company that is marking 10 years of successfully creating artistically acclaimed musical collaborations.

Selby says of her 2016 season, "A decade is a significant milestone for an artistic venture in Australia. Selby & Friends was born out of my love for chamber music and my experience collaborating with many brilliant Australian and international guest artists, so it is fitting that in 2016 we celebrate that decade by highlighting extraordinary Australian musical talent."

Selby and Valve performed the final tour of 2015, 'Basically Beethoven 2' with violinist Dale Barltrop to rousing reviews:

"The hero, however, was the "Archduke'' Piano Trio in B flat major Op. 97. Selby was in fine form in the majestic allegro moderato, clearly and firmly stating the themes that are so beautifully elaborated by the strings.

All three let fly in the scherzo, with both string soloists full of vigour, bows leaping skywards at every up-bowed opportunity. The slow movement was especially beautiful, and the final allegro moderato given all the verve it deserves, and then some." "“ Peter Burdon, The Adelaide Advertiser

"The committed, superbly balanced playing was full of Beethoven-style idiosyncrasies of expression as Selby's fine pianism managed contrasts in character, tone colour, accent, rhythm and form as well as equally successful shifts between bold bravura and some exquisite super-soft delicacy. These qualities were keenly matched in the playing of violinist Dale Barltrop and Timo-Veikko Valve on cello." "“ Paul Nolan, Arts Hub

Selby & Friends continued to grow audiences across the country throughout 2015 and the recently announced 2016 season looks to be no different, with some subscription series selling out already. It is testament to a formula that ensures exciting and refreshing new approaches to chamber music. The repertoire at each concert series combines outstanding performers, often collaborating for the first time, with the critically acclaimed talent of Selby on piano.

Varied Virtues ensures that the audience will be taken on yet another brilliantly executed musical journey. Tickets are on sale now via the website or by calling 1300 511 099.

Varied Virtues will tour the following dates and venues:
Feb 21 "“ 2.30pm at Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, Adelaide
Feb 22 "“ 7.30pm at Deakin Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne
Feb 23 "“ 7.30pm at James O. Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Feb 25 "“ 7pm at City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney
Feb 27 "“ 5pm at Chevalier College Performing Arts Centre, Southern Highlands, NSW
Feb 28 "“ 2.30pm at Uniting Church, Turramurra, Sydney

Andrew Haveron "“ Violin | Timo-Veikko Valve "“ Cello | Kathryn Selby "“ Piano
"¢ Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 44 No. 10 'Variations on an Original Theme'
"¢ Franz Schubert Fantasy for Violin and Piano in C major, Op. 159, D 934
"¢ Ferruccio Busoni Kultaselle, 10 Variations for Cello and Piano on a Finnish Folksong
"¢ Anton Arensky Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32

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