Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn: two prodigiously gifted musical siblings raised lovingly with the finest education, and yet bound by the restrictive shackles of the conservative Prussian aristocracy.  Fanny was instructed by her family that her musical endeavors should always remain an ‘ornament…’ and for her brother, Felix, ‘a profession’.    The siblings would remain devoted throughout their lifetime; Felix celebrated as a great composer, conductor and pianist; Fanny quietly composing over 500 works behind closed doors. In this program, the music of Fanny and Felix sit side by side.   Fanny’s E flat Quartet brimming with a mature sophistication; Felix’s Opus 80 Quartet overflowing with grief at the sudden death of his beloved sister. 

The Five Pieces of Czech-German composer, Erwin Schulhoff sit between the Mendelssohn siblings.  Schulhoff’s works are gleefully ironic, and the Five Pieces are imbued with parody, dissonance and cheekiness.   In the hands of the Chroma Quartet, prepare yourself for a performance of sheer exuberance and finesse.

Sunday, February 23rd, 2.30pm

Program

FANNY MENDELSSOHN - String Quartet in E flat Major
SCHULHOFF - Five Pieces for String Quartet
FELIX MENDELSSOHN - String Quartet Opus 80

Venue

Hunters Hill Town Hall

Single Tickets: Adult $45 | Students $10 | Purchase as part of a 2025 Subscription Package

Following the performance, join fellow audience members and the artists for a complimentary glass of wine courtesy of Savannah Estate.

Tickets

Concert Duration

65 minutes without interval

Harry Bennetts - 1st Violin
Victoria Bihun - 2nd Violin
Elizabeth Woolnough - Viola
Eliza Sdraulig - Cello

The Artists

  • The Chroma Quartet was formed in Sydney in mid-2020, when Australia had just come out of several months of lock down due to Covid-19. They were searching for ways to create music in such a desolate time for the profession, and the idea of forming a string quartet came quite naturally. Each of its members had worked together in various musical settings for years and more importantly, they knew they enjoyed each other’s company!

    The Chroma Quartet love creating an inclusive environment at their concerts and are passionate about sharing both old and new works for string quartet. They feel at home performing in a range of venues, anywhere from a concert hall or traditional salon-style setting to the local bar or pub.

    Alongside self-presented concerts, Chroma Quartet have performed concerts presented by Musica Viva, Sydney Festival, and were Resident Quartet at the Wollongong Conservatorium in 2024. Its members work both in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.