Luke Carbon, clarinet

Eleanor Streatfeild, cello

Antonio Fernandez, piano

Mylark Trio is a fresh and exciting chamber group that specialise in the old and the new. Comprising Eleanor Streatfeild (cello), Luke Carbon (woodwinds), and Antonio Fernandez (piano), Mylark Trio has an expansive repertoire that includes canonical masterpieces by Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven, and modern gems by Nikolai Kapustin and Robert Muczynski. All three members of the trio are champions of the works of Australian composers, and are excited to premier works by the likes of Christine McCombe and Alys Rayner. With a philosophy grounded in reimagining and exploration, Mylark Trio aims to bring their unique blend of traditional and contemporary music to audiences around Australia, inspiring listeners with their passionate performances and commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music.

Program

Winds, string, and keys - the sublime music of Brahms distilled to chamber perfection.

The Clarinet Trio of Johannes Brahms is a towering masterpiece of the chamber music canon. Composed in the last years of his life, Brahms came out of retirement upon hearing the velvet sounds of Richard Mühlfeld's clarinet to produce the Trio, which takes pride of place in this eclectic program that celebrates both the old and the new. Two new Australian works by Christine McCombe and Alys Rayner bookend the dance-like Fantasy Trio by Polish-American contemporary master Robert Muczynski, proving that the flexible and inspiring combination of clarinet, cello, and piano is as alive and relevant now as it was when Brahms wrote his magnum opus over one-hundred years ago.

 

McCombe New Work

Muczynski Fantasy Trio, Op. 26

Rayner New Work

Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114

This program runs for 60 minutes without an interval

 

Luke Carbon is a woodwind multi-instrumentalist and educator based in Melbourne. An orchestral musician, chamber player, and fluent improviser, he attended the Australian National Academy of Music during 2015-2016 and was awarded a Master of Music Research, the Musica Viva Chamber Music Prize, and the ADFAS Melbourne Prize for Outstanding Program in an ANAM recital for his exploration of third stream music, including compositions by Gunther Schuller and William Russo. His debut album Brightest Threads was chosen as a Rolling Stone ‘Best Music of 2020’ staff pick, and his other discography includes a live recording of Yitzhak Yedid’s Myth of the Cave, and Liquid Crystal with pianist Alex Raineri. Luke has appeared with the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, Victorian Opera, ELISION, Ensemble Offspring, and Rubiks Collective.

 

Eleanor Streatfeild is principal cellist and co-director of the Australian Session Orchestra, and founder of Sydney-based Radu Cello Ensemble. She freelances with the Opera Australia Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra as well as chamber music groups across the east coast.

After her studies, Eleanor worked for four years at the New England Conservatorium of Music. During that time she did extensive regional touring, performing chamber music and collaborating with local composers and performers. She took part in Inverell’s (then annual) Opera in the Paddock, and conducted several young ensembles. After moving to Brisbane, Eleanor began freelancing with Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Camerata. She also, as cellist and manager of Sanctuary String Quartet, began a long-term partnership with 4MBS and Brisbane City Council Libraries where SSQ now hold free concerts every year.

Recently Eleanor’s activities have been focused between Sydney and Melbourne. She regularly performs with the Opera Australia Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, The Nano Symphony, Ensemble Trivium and Little Match Productions. Last year while in Sydney she programmed and performed concerts for Sydney’s Music in the Sky series; performed at Coffs Harbour’s inaugural Chamber Music Festival with the ASQ and members of Ensemble Q; and performed various chamber music concerts with Melbourne’s Callisto String Quartet.

 

Antonio Fernandez is a Spanish-born Australian pianist and music director specialised in collaborative practice. Based in Sydney, Antonio studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Madrid, Spain and holds a postgraduate degree in arts administration. Antonio’s experience as a collaborative musician is nothing short of broad and eclectic, never allowing genre to set any boundaries to his practice as a creative collaborator and professional musician. Antonio has worked in opera, music theatre, contemporary music, art music, theatre, cabaret, choirs, orchestras, and also as collaborator for recording artists and composers working on developing new works.

Antonio is currently the Assistant Music Director of the Australian tour of Mary Poppins (Disney Theatricals, Cameron Mackintosh, Michael Cassel Group).

A grand piano tuned the day of the performance

Two armless chairs

Microphone to speak with audience

All members of the ensemble are able to deliver masterclasses on their respective instruments (including saxophone for Luke), as well as chamber masterclasses for existing ensembles. Antonio also specialises as a collaborative pianist.

Available throughout 2024

Book an artist

Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva Australia can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:

Patrick Brearley

Manager, Regional Touring & Special Projects

pbrearley@musicaviva.com.au 

02 8394 6662