Southern Cross Soloists celebrating 20 years in Bangalow
The Southern Cross Soloists are about to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bangalow Chamber Music Festival, with a thrilling program that embodies the significant achievement of presenting world-class classical music in Bangalow to audiences from all over Australia.
Last week Seven spoke to Artistic Director of the Southern Cross Soloists, Tania Frazer, about what’s happening in Bangalow in August.
What is special about this year’s event?
Without a doubt, the answer is that this is our 20th festival, which is no mean feat!
Although we are a not-for-profit organisation, the Bangalow Music Festival has no public funding, so the fact we have managed to present a world-class chamber music festival for 20 years is a huge achievement, and a testament to all of the people who make it happen.
What is your top must see (or two)?
Definitely international concert pianist, Konstantin Shamray, who is making his debut at the festival this year. Konstantin is a former first prize winner at the Sydney International Piano Competition.
Not only did he win, but he is the only competitor to date, in the 40 years of the competition, to win both first place and the People’s Choice Prizes, in addition to six other prizes.
We also have ten other international soloists debuting this year and many old friends, such as Sydney Symphony flute soloist, Emma Sholl, so you could pretty much throw a dart and any concert you choose will be featuring an incredible virtuoso musician.
And for our young audiences, we have an incredible treat: Linsey Pollak AKA ‘The Carrot Man’ headlining this year’s schools’ program From Carrot to Concert Hall. They can expect to see and hear musical instruments made from the most unusual household items – including Linsey famous carrot clarinet!
And what is even more astounding is how good these instruments sound when he plays them – absolutely stunning! This is a not to be missed event for sure.
And for adults, Linsey will be performing his one man show in our Bitesize program at the gorgeous Ninbella Gallery on Friday August 18 at 5pm. I’d definitely recommend both of those performances if you want a bit of fun and to experience the ultimate musical laboratory!
Are you excited about performing?
Both myself, and all the musicians are always excited about playing at the festival – it is the absolute highlight of our performance year!
It is always such a special treat for all the musicians to come together for a week to prepare and then perform in such a stunning destination.
Part of that excitement is that each group of artists is different each year, and we don’t play together regularly, so there is an incredible artistic energy that is completely unique to every festival.
The music in each program also gives us all a chance to show audiences what we can do!
As artistic director, do you find it hard to choose what artists are best for any given year’s program?
Artists always love the festival when they perform, so they are all super keen to come back!
We also have to juggle everyone’s schedules, so this can be challenging. However things always fit into place, and we already have artists booked for the 2024 festival!
Did you have a particular theme in mind this year?
This year’s festival is all about celebration and offers the chance for audiences to immerse themselves in the sublime beauty and virtuosic artistry of chamber music’s most beloved works, performed by some of Australia’s most outstanding musical talent, who are all true masters of their craft.
Are you getting enough sleep in the lead-up?
So far, so good. But once we hit the two-week lead-up, things get pretty crazy!
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by working alongside such an extraordinary group of world-class musicians.
My aim with the festival is to create something that could stand alongside the best music festivals in the world, and this year’s guest artists certainly fit the brief!
https://www.southernxsoloists.com
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
