artists - The Art of the Piano Trio

NATSUKO YOSHIMOTO - Violin

Natsuko Yoshimoto joined Queensland Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster in 2021, after serving as Concertmaster at Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for 12 years. Born in Japan, Natsuko Yoshimoto began playing the violin at the age of three. She studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal Northern College of Music in England and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She received direct guidance and teaching under Lord Menuhin and Wen Zhou Li.

She has won many awards and prizes in international competitions including the Gold Medal in both the prestigious 1994 Shell/London Symphony Orchestra Competition and the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa Award and the Iwaki Award for outstanding achievement as a Japanese artist. In great demand as a soloist, she has appeared with many world renowned orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia (London), Halle Orchestra, Odense Symphony (Denmark), Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Melbourne Symphony and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras.

Natsuko is also a member of highly acclaimed chamber group, Ensemble Q. She has been the leader of both the Australian String Quartet and the Grainger Quartet as well as the Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Natsuko frequently guests as a Concertmaster with many major orchestras in Australia and Asia and continues to perform chamber music as a guest artist with various groups and musicians in many of the festivals. Natsuko is also a passionate teacher and is a staff member at the Conservatorium of Music in Queensland teaching violin and chamber music. She has given many world premieres of works by Australia’s most prominent composers and has recorded for Virgin Classics, ABC Classics, Melba Records and Tall Poppies. Natsuko plays on a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini generously on loan from UKARIA Trust.

UMBERTO CLERICI - CELLO

With a career spanning more than 20 years as a gifted cello soloist, orchestral musician and now conductor, Umberto Clerici has gained a reputation as an artist of diverse and multifaceted talents. Umberto is the Chief Conductor Designate of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and will commence as their Chief Conductor from January 2023.

Umberto began his career as a virtuoso cellist making his solo debut at the age of 17 performing Haydn’s D Major cello concerto in Japan. After years of performing on the stages of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, Umberto took up the position as Principal cello of the Teatro Regio di Torino following which he was Principal Cello of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2014 to 2021. It was in Sydney in 2018 that Umberto made his conducting debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. Following a rapid trajectory of conducting engagements, Umberto is now in high demand with the major symphony orchestras throughout Australia and New Zealand. In addition to his concert series’ with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, conducting highlights in 2022 include returns to the podiums the Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, as well as Umberto’s conducting debuts with the West Australian Symphony, Adelaide Symphony and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

As a cellist, Umberto began his studies with the Suzuki method at the age of five, later continuing with Mario Brunello, David Géringas and Julius Berger. Umberto received several international prizes including the Janigro Competition in Zagreb, the Rostropovich in Paris and, in 2011, the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow making him only the second Italian cellist ever being honoured in the history of the prize, after Mario Brunello. Umberto appeared as a soloist with an array of renowned orchestras internationally including the Philarmonia Wien, St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic, Russian State Orchestra of Moscow, I Pomeriggi Musicali (Milan) and Zagreb Philharmonic and at at the Salzburg Festival from 2003. In 2012 he performed Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations under the baton of Valery Gergiev.

DANIEL DE BORAH - PIANO

Daniel de Borah is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost musicians, consistently praised for the grace, finesse and imaginative intelligence of his performances. His wide-ranging performance schedule finds him equally at home as concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Since his prize-winning appearances at the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, Daniel has given recitals on four continents and toured extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Australia. As a concerto soloist he has appeared with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland Symphony Orchestras. An avid chamber musician, he has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with many leading soloists including Vadim Gluzman, Baiba Skride, Li-Wei Qin, Umberto Clerici, Nicolas Altstaedt, Roderick Williams, Steve Davislim and Andrew Goodwin. Daniel studied at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, the St. Petersburg State Conservatory and the Royal Academy of Music, London. He now lives in Brisbane where he serves as Head of Chamber Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 | THURSDAY 15 AUGUST 2024

1ST OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPICERS HIDDEN VALE GRANDCHESTER

BRISBANE DOMESTIC AIRPORT AND BRISBANE ROMA STREET STATION TO GRANDCHESTER:

Guests are collected by private air-conditioned coach. The coach will make one stop at Brisbane Domestic Airport at 12:30pm and a second stop at Brisbane Roma Street Station at 1:00pm. We then travel from Brisbane to the beautiful Spicers Hidden Vale, located on 12,000 acres of land in Grandchester, Queensland. Spicers Hidden Vale features a mix of beautifully restored Queenslander style cottages dating back to the 1800s along with private luxury timber cabins, both positioned to take advantage of the stunning views across the Hidden Vale property and beyond.

After arriving and checking into our rooms, we gather at the beautiful Laidley Room Terrace for a welcome reception with drinks and canapés.

Our Artistic Director and music educator Graham Abbott then gives the first talk on our weekend’s focus, The Art of the Piano Trio.

Following our first presentation by Graham, we move over to the Barn for our first exclusive performance by three of Australia’s finest chamber musicians, Natsuko Yoshimoto, Umberto Clerici and Daniel de Borah.

CONCERT I - Evening Concert

Mozart Piano Trio in G major, K.564
Kurtág Varga Bálint Ligaturája
Brahms Piano Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87

Following the concert, we enjoy the first of our three gourmet meals together, with a sumptuous dinner served with Australian wines. We have the wonderful opportunity of being joined by the musicians and our Artistic Director, Graham Abbott for this welcome meal.

After dinner, guests may like to move over to the cosy Spicers Homestead Lounge Bar for a further drink by the fire, or return to their well-appointed and comfortable rooms ahead of a busy day tomorrow.

DAY 2 | FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2024

2ND OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPICERS HIDDEN VALE GRANDCHESTER

GRANDCHESTER:

After breakfast in the stylish hotel Homestead with remarkable views out over the valley, we once again gather for our exploration of the piano trio. Morning tea is served after the conclusion of this morning’s lecture.

Following morning tea, enjoyed on the Laidley Room terrace, we move back to the Barn where we enjoy the second of our exclusive performances which this morning also features a conversation with our musicians.

CONCERT II - Morning Concert Conversation

Ravel Sonata for Violin and Cello

Followed by a conversation with Natsuko Yoshimoto and Umberto Clerici.

In the afternoon we enjoy a picturesque drive through the scenic countryside to enjoy a delicious 3-course lunch. After our relaxed lunch together, we return to Spicers Hidden Vale.

In the early evening we gather for pre-concert drinks at the Barn before enjoying our third exclusive performance by these fine musicians.

CONCERT III - Evening Concert

Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3
Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67

Following the concert, the evening is free.

DAY 3 | SATURDAY 17 AUGUST 2024

3RD OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPICERS HIDDEN VALE GRANDCHESTER

GRANDCHESTER:

Following breakfast, we gather for our third and final exploration of The Art of the Piano Trio with Artistic Director Graham Abbott. Afterwards, morning tea is served on the terrace of the Laidley Room. Following the last of our presentations we enjoy our fourth concert, paired once again with an informal conversation.

CONCERT IV - Morning Concert Conversation

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49: Movement II, Andante con molto tranquillo

Followed by a conversation with Daniel de Borah.

This afternoon is at your leisure. You might like to explore the expansive and beautiful grounds of Spicers Hidden Vale.

In the late afternoon, we regroup for a delicious wine and cheese tasting with hotel’s head sommelier. Following our tasting, you might like to join the optional garden tour with one of the restaurant’s chefs, where you will be taken behind the scenes of the preserving room, learn about the smoking process and be taken around the orchard and vegetable garden, to help pick what may well be going into this evening’s dinner.

We then gather for the final time at the Barn for a pre-concert drink, before we enjoy the fifth and final performance by our exceptional musicians.

CONCERT V - Evening Concert

Vasks Plainscapes
Schubert Piano Trio in B-flat major, D.898

Afterwards we enjoy our farewell meal together at the exclusive Homage Restaurant, where gastronomical masterpieces are created using local produce. The restaurant is in receipt of many recent awards, including Two Chef Hats from the 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Australian Good Food Guide. Once again, we will be joined by the musicians and our Artistic Director, Graham Abbott, for tonight’s farewell meal.

DAY 4 | SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2024

GRANDCHESTER TO BRISBANE ROMA STREET STATION AND BRISBANE DOMESTIC AIRPORT:

Following our final breakfast at Spicers Hidden Vale we travel in our private coach back to Brisbane. We will arrive at Brisbane Roma Street Station at approximately 1:00pm and Brisbane Domestic Airport at approximately 1:30pm.

INCLUSIONS

15–18 AUGUST 2024 (4 DAYS)

AUD$4,450 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$750
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 15 April 2024)
Final payment due: 12 June 2024

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Five unique and intimate performances from some of Australia’s finest musicians.

• Talks on the Music: Three presentations on the music from Artistic Director Graham Abbott.

• Tour Managers: Services of two experienced tour managers throughout.

• Hotel: Three nights' accommodation at the luxurious 4-star Spicers Hidden Vale. The standard tour package comes with a Valley View Room or Luxury Cabin. Upgrade options are available as follows:

  • Upgrade to the Chinese Cottage for AUD$260 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    Featuring a private courtyard, the Chinese Cottage is a charming stand-alone cottage adjacent to the market garden.

  • Upgrade to a Heritage Suite for AUD$520 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    These elegant stand-alone cottages feature private verandahs, spacious sitting areas and wood burning fireplaces.

  • Upgrade to a Luxury Suite for AUD$580 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    The spacious cottage style Luxury Suites feature a separate lounge room and bedroom, with large windows overlooking gorgeous views of the valley and French doors leading out onto the wide verandah.

• Travel: One private air-conditioned coach transfer from/to Brisbane Domestic Airport and Brisbane Roma Street Station. Land travel by private air-conditioned coach throughout the weekend.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning. Three lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee. Welcome drinks and canapés, morning tea at the two morning lectures, wine and cheese tasting and pre-performance drinks before the three evening concerts.

• Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for all excursions and activities as stated in your itinerary. Expert local guides at some sites.

• Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and meals included in your itinerary.

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from your local airport at the beginning and end of the tour. These can be arranged at an additional cost. One private air-conditioned coach from/to Brisbane Domestic Airport and Brisbane Roma Street Station is included in the tour price.

• Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.

• Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.

GROUP SIZE

The weekend will operate with a minimum of 20 people. The maximum number at the Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends will be 35 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1

All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for short distances between hotel rooms and venues, and embarking/disembarking coaches.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

HAYLLAR CHAMBER MUSIC WEEKENDS
THE ART OF The Piano TRIO

grandchester, QLD

SOLD OUT | WAITLIST ONLY

This tour is now sold out. To register your place on the waitlist, please fill out the form below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or contact@hayllarmusictours.com

Alternatively, you might be interested in our other Hayllar Chamber Music Weekend in 2024: The Art of the Romantics in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Find out more here: