Phoenix Collective

2024 DATES, VENUES AND TIMES:

PC #1: 22 March - 25 March 2024

HAYDN - BARTÓK - SOLLIMA - RADIOHEAD

PCQ begins 2024 with a program featuring the effervescent ‘Lark’ quartet by Haydn, who has long been recognised as the father of the string quartet. The remainder of the program showcases more recent developments in the quartet genre, with the work of Giovanni Sollima providing a light-hearted counterpoint to Bartók’s intricate and profound String Quartet no 3. Finally, the relationship between classical and popular music is highlighted through the music of experimental rock band Radiohead.

Programme notes: Click Here

PC #2: 14 June - 17 June 2024

MENDELSSOHN - GINASTERA - PINK FLOYD

Continuing their exploration of both classical and popular genres, PCQ teams the music of Mendelssohn and Ginastera with prog rock classics from Pink Floyd. Themes of sorrow and isolation permeate the String Quartet no 6, written by a grief-stricken Mendelssohn after the death of his sister. Pink Floyd’s psychedelic take on similar emotional themes provides a powerful parallel, while the driving, dance-inspired rhythms of Ginastera’s String Quartet no 1 represent an earthy affirmation of the simple life.

PC #3: 20 September - 23 September 2024

SCHUBERT - SHOSTAKOVICH - SIGUR RÓS

PCQ uses the music of Schubert, Shostakovich and Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós to represent contrasting social commentary from various historical perspectives. Schubert, aiming to revolutionise string quartet writing, left his atmospheric Quartettsatz tantalisingly unfinished, while Shostakovich covertly revealed details of his emotional world in Communist Russia through his compositions. Three entirely different worlds are depicted through the ghostly Quartettsatz, Shostakovich’s haunting motifs and the dreamlike sequences of Sigur Rós.

PC #4: 15 November - 18 November 2024

BEETHOVEN - VASKS - DAFT PUNK

As iconoclastic in his own time as any rock star today, Beethoven is recognised as a titan in the history of the string quartet. Although not always appreciated by his contemporaries, Beethoven’s string quartets now represent the pinnacle of composition in the genre. PCQ pair his turbulent ‘Serioso’ quartet with the serene, meditative work of Latvian composer Peteris Vasks. Dance music by the legendary French electro-pop duo Daft Punk adds a modern twist to this diverse program.

ABOUT

“Exquisite translucence” - Limelight Magazine | “Dynamic… captivating” – City News | “Triumphant” – Canberra Times

Phoenix Collective is one of Australia’s most versatile and dynamic ensembles. Formed in 2018 by violinist Dan Russell, Phoenix rapidly became a fixture of the musical landscape with their own series of concerts, touring Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and the Central Coast. Their schedule includes Candlelight concerts for international events company Fever, for whom they have performed many diverse programs from Beethoven and Mozart string quartets to Daft Punk, Taylor Swift and sold-out Studio Ghibli programs. 

Phoenix’s innovative approach has seen them collaborate with artists in a variety of genres, including cabaret and opera superstar the late Jacqui Dark, singer/songwriter Martha Marlow, Katie Noonan, the late Archie Roach and Tibetan traditional musician Tenzin Choegyal. They performed in the opening and closing concerts at the 2022 National Folk Festival and presented their own program of Nordic folk music. In 2023 they performed at the National Multicultural Festival, debuted at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Art Gallery of NSW, later that year Phoenix performed for the Australia Awards with superstar didjeridu player William Barton at Old Parliament House and opera singer Shauntai Sherree Abdul Rahman at the Sydney Opera House and gave a presentation for TedX at Canberra Theatre, "A Language Without Words - How Music Conveys Contrasting Emotions". 

Phoenix Collective also champions new music, bringing it to audiences through their touring concert series. 2022 saw them perform world premieres by Australian composers Sally Whitwell and Mace Francis, and in 2023 they featured the music of Ella Macens and rising star Emma Greenhill. They have broadcast through the Australian Digital Concert Hall, and have produced their own digital content with the help of grants provided by the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian Culture Fund. Their sixth and seventh CDs will be released this year.

Phoenix also presents an ongoing series of concerts for the homeless and vulnerable at Wayside Chapel under the auspices of Judith Neilson AM.

With an ever-increasing recording and external workload, Phoenix Collective is one of Australia’s busiest string quartets. 2024 will see them tour nationally for the Musica Viva Australia in schools program, return to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and begin a series of themed concerts for the Australian War Memorial.

Concerts that excite & inspire.

Artist endorsement with Remic Microphones

Facebook, Instagram & YouTube:

Phoenix Collective recorded live 2019 - 2020 @ Phoenix Central Park.

PC | Digital Sessions recorded 2020.

join our mailing lists:

SYDNEY

central coast Newcastle

CANBERRA

wollongong

contact us

Please note, we are a concert performance ensemble and do not play as background music for functions. We can be booked to perform at events, conferences, launches, festivals, music societies, etc. but only when it’s a performance situation/ listening audience/ seated concert. Thank you - PC