A clarinet melody, rising like the sun from shimmering strings. Five of Australia’s most brilliant musicians. Works beloved and new, illuminated by the sunrise.

ARCO’s ‘First Light’ takes in a sweep of classical brilliance, from sparkling Mozart to playful Schubert, and the new ocean-inspired Wavelength quintet by Brisbane composer Nicole Murphy. At the pinnacle is Haydn’s ‘Sunrise’ quartet in a sparkling 18th-century clarinet arrangement by Vincenzo Gambaro, an Italian clarinettist and entrepreneur who arranged pieces by his friends Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart to highlight the clarinet’s lush tones.

‘First Light’ brings five principals from the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra into the intimacy of chamber music, including co-artistic directors and long-time musical friends Rachael Beesley (violin) and Nicole van Bruggen (clarinet). They’re joined by Alison Rayner (violin), Stephen King (viola) and Natasha Kraemer (cello) – all nationally and internationally acclaimed experts in historically informed performance.

Bask in the luminous sonorities of rare historic instruments. Connect deeply with emotions. Experience ‘First Light.’

Presented by MusicA Viva AUSTRALIA

With grateful thanks to our local presenting partners: New England Conservatorium, Glasshouse Theatre, Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music and James Theatre Dungog.

WAVELENGTH - NICOLE MURPHY

In 2024 ARCO commissioned a brand-new piece by Brisbane composer Nicole Murphy, for historical strings and basset clarinet. There are only two of these instruments in Australia, and this is the first piece written for it since Mozart’s time!

‘Wavelength’ was inspired by the ocean, its gorgeous shades of blue and green, the waves of light that produce it and sound waves that create music.

ARTISTS

Members of Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

Nicole van Bruggen | Clarinet
Rachael Beesley | Violin
Alison Rayner | Violin
Stephen King | Viola
Natasha Kraemer | Cello

PROGRAM

HAYDN/GAMBARO Clarinet Quartet No.1 in B flat major

SCHUBERT String Quartet No.7 in D major, D.94

MOZART Larghetto from Clarinet Quintet in A major, K.581

NICOLE MURPHY Wavelength for historical basset clarinet and string quartet (2024 ARCO commission)

Mozart’s clarinet

Looking like an extra-long clarinet, the basset clarinet was an invention by three friends: Wolfgang Mozart, clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler, and instrument maker Theodore Lotz. A long, bulbous section adds four lower chromatic notes - and a big juicy sound - to the range of an ordinary clarinet.

But soon after Mozart wrote his beautiful Clarinet Quintet, the instrument was lost to history - until recently. Hear the story at our concerts!

ARMIDALE TOWN HALL

Thursday 5 March | 7.00pm
127 Rusden Street
Armidale NSW 2350

GLASSHOUSE THEATRE, PORT MACQUARIE

Friday 6 March | 7.00pm
30-42 Clarence Street &, Hay Street
Port Macquarie NSW 2444

TAMWORTH REGIONAL CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

Saturday 7 March | 7.00pm
223-227 Marius Street
Tamworth NSW 2340

JAMES THEATRE, DUNGOG

Sunday 8 March | 4.00pm
6 Brown Street
Dungog NSW 2420