Kathryn Selby, Grace Clifford and Clancy Newman open Selby and Friends season by exploring Beethoven's chamber music repertoire with works selected by audience members

Grace Clifford, violinist.

Selby & Friends, founded by Kathryn Selby AM, are kicking off their 2018 season with a special six concert tour celebrating chamber music masterpieces by Beethoven.

Selby - pianist and artistic director - will be joined by Australian violinist Grace Clifford and American virtuoso cellist Clancy Newman as they perform four works that were chosen by Selby & Friends’ audience members during 2017.

Selby is looking forward to tonight's Sydney performance at City Recital Hall and says she is "Very excited. Our all-Beethoven programs are the most popular in our concert series, and it's always challenging, yet rewarding repertoire to tackle!"

Grace Clifford has been a regular guest artist with Selby & Friends since her performances as a Development Artist at the age of fourteen. She is an ABC Young Performer of the Year Award recipient, and performed the Bruch Violin Concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra during a break from her studies at the famed Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, cellist Clancy Newman, first-prize winner of the prestigious Walter W. Naumburg International Competition and recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant, is also a composer in his own right, and has premiered several of his own works with Selby & Friends. He returns frequently to Australia from the USA to perform with the series.

Beethoven by Ballot is a glimpse into the composer’s diverse chamber music body of work and Selby says, "As one might expect, some of his most well-known and beautiful pieces like the Spring sonata and Archduke piano trio are included. Grace and Clancy are exciting, brilliant colleagues with whom to share this repertoire with."

Selby & Friends was founded by Artist Director Kathryn Selby AM, Australia’s pre-eminent chamber music pianist. Now in its twelfth season, the Selby & Friends touring performance series presents concerts of exceptionally high quality with a rotating guest ensemble of illustrious chamber musicians, both Australian and international.

PROGRAM:

Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat major, WoO. 39

Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24, Spring

Ludwig van Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69

Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 Archduke

Beethoven by Ballot is on tour from 11-18 March. Tickets and information here or call 1300 511 099.

Sunday, March 11 – 2:30pm, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, Adelaide
Tuesday, March 13 – 7:00pm, City Recital Hall, Sydney
Wednesday, March 14 – 7:30pm, Tatoulis Auditorium, Methodist Ladies’ College, Kew, Melbourne Thursday, March 15 – 7:30pm, Fairfax Theatre, NGA, Canberra
Saturday, March 17 – 5:00pm, Mittagong Playhouse, Southern Highlands
Sunday, March 18 – 2:15pm, Turramurra Uniting Church, Turramurra