Songs Beyond Twilight

The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) is Australia’s pre-eminent organisation dedicated to string quartet music and Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music.

Defined by excellence in performance and the joy of musical expression, the ASQ’s DNA comprises three inseparable parts. At the centre is the Quartet – four full-time musicians, each a creative force in crafting the world’s most dynamic and intimate music. Surrounding the Quartet is an innovative production company that presents, tours, records, and promotes exceptional artistry. Sustaining this, is a vital community of partners including a national Board, visionary Patron – Maria Myers AC, Major Partner – The University of Adelaide, Instrument Partner – UKARIA and Government Supporters.

Together, the ASQ celebrate music from the past to the present, from near and afar, and strive to reflect contemporary Australia through their performances, collaborations, advocacy, learning programs, and development of new work. Their landmark ASQ Australian Music Fund, supports the ensemble’s ground-breaking Australian Anthology project that proudly champions the work of Australian artists.

In their 40th year, they are energised by their purpose to create chemistry and amplify intimacy through experiences that engage people across regional and metropolitan Australia and around the world.

Dale Barltrop plays a 1784 Guadagnini Violin, Turin
Francesca Hiew plays a 1748-49 Guadagnini Violin, Piacenza
Chris Cartlidge plays a 1783 Guadagnini Viola, Turin
Michael Dahlenburg plays a c.1743 Guadagnini Violoncello, Piacenza ‘Ngeringa’

Photo credit: Laura Manariti

Internationally acclaimed for her virtuosity (Fiery virtuoso THE STRAD, True Devil’s Violinist BAYERISCHE RUNDFUNK, Superbement joué DIAPASON, Echte Virtuosin RONDO), her uncommon musicality (honest and heartfelt music-making GRAMOPHONE, the violinist of the soul SANKEI SHINBUN), her blend of creativity (great ornamental skills, true fire of art CLASSICA), energy (Lina shines SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE), and stylistic rigor (strong historical playfulness RONDO, extended colour palette, a finely constructed rhetoric CLASSICA), Lina Tur Bonet has developed a versatile and unique career as a violinist and conductor.

From a very young age, Lina worked in world-class ensembles under the batons of Abbado, Gardiner, Harding, Minkowski, Christie, Currentzis, Gatti, Marriner, Nagano, Biondi, Dantone, Goebel, Egarr, and Carmignola, and shared the stage in chamber music with Zacharias, Pressler, de Figueiredo, Onofri, and Kossenko, appearing at the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, Bunkamura Hall, the London Proms, and the Berliner Philharmonie.

She is the concertmaster of Le Concert des Nations with Jordi Savall and has led Il Complesso Barocco, Liceu de Barcelona, Concerto Köln, Hofkapelle Munich, Orchestre d’Auvergne, ONE, and many others.

Lina conducts regularly Tafelmusik Toronto, Barokkanerne Oslo, Orchestre de Chambre Toulouse, Barroca de Sevilla, Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra, Camerata Villa Musica Mainz, Haydn Philharmonie Eisenstadt, Ciudad de Granada, and Recreation Styriarte Graz.

Lina has toured as a soloist worldwide, appearing at the Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie St. Petersburg, Potsdamer Festival, Trigonale Klagenfurt, Bachfest Leipzig, Potsdamer Festspiele, Musashino Hall Tokyo, Israel, NYC, Montreal Baroque, Musikverein, Konzerthaus Wien, and more.

Her 18 solo CDs have been chosen as Best Version by the BBC, Reference for Gramophone, Best Version for Radio France Musique and Scherzo, and Recommended by German radio stations, earning several Diapason d’Or, E for Scherzo, R for Rhythm, and Melómano d’Or, Choc de Classica. Joker by Crescendo, 5* Rondo, 10* Luister, Opus Klassik and ICMA nominations. Her Ravel recording was Best CD of the Year in Japan.

Tur Bonet holds the position of professor of Baroque violin and viola at the MHS Franz Liszt Weimar.

Photo credit: Michal Novak

Lina is supported by         

Described by Limelight magazine as a ‘national treasure’, Ensemble Liaison is one of Australia’s leading internationally acclaimed ensembles.  The Ensemble was founded in 2007 by David Griffiths (clarinet) Svetlana Bogosavljević (cello) and Timothy Young (piano) who each have leading reputations as solo instrumentalists on an international level.  They presented their first concert series at The Edge, Melbourne, in 2007 and have become known as a tour de force, recognised for imaginative and innovative programming, setting the trend for brilliant collaborations with leading artists.

In addition to being co-presented by the Melbourne Recital Centre for 15 years, Ensemble Liaison have appeared at the nation’s premier festivals including the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Port Fairy and Woodend Winter Arts Festivals. For their 20th Anniversary season they were featured as part of the Live At Yours Series in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Further afield the Ensemble have toured New Zealand for Chamber Music NZ and in 2012 gave a series of festival performances in Central Europe.  In 2021 they appeared at the Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Texas and as a global featured artist at the International ClarinetFest from Fort Worth Texas.  Next season they look forward to appearances at the Mahler Festival in Austria and the Ravanelius Festival in Serbia.

The creation of new works is also a priority for Ensemble Liaison, with commissions by Paul Stanhope, Paul Grabowsky, John Novacek, Ian Munro, Gordon Kerry, Tony Gould, Stuart Greenbaum, Elena Kats-Chernin, Jane Hammond, Michael Dooley, Aleksandar Sedlar, Mark Viggiani and Mary Finsterer. Countless arrangements by the trio have also formed an integral part of their programming and artistic vision.

Ensemble Liaison have released 6 internationally acclaimed recordings including the 2024 release of ‘Crossing Paths’ (MOVE Records).  They have also recorded with Melba Recordings, Tall Poppies, ABC Classics labels, as well as their own highly successful EL Records.  And, they are firm broadcast favourites with ABC Classic and 3MBS.

Photo credit: Laura Manariti