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With the death of Beethoven in 1827 as the catalyst, Principal Cor Anglais Alexandre Oguey takes us on a journey through the centuries. 

Schubert’s great song cycle Winterreise (1827) is dark and melancholy. JS Bach (1727) and Poulenc (1927) offer beautiful gems that sparkle and shine. 

And bringing us into 2027 is a new work by Justin Williams – celebrated composer and member of our viola section – writing for his close friends and colleagues.

Join us for a complimentary glass of Handpicked wine on arrival before the performance with this intimate one-hour chamber music concert.

Program

JS BACH arr. Oguey

‘Welcome! I will say when Death steps to my bed’ from BWV27

POULENC arr. Oguey

Vocalise

Justin WILLIAMS

New Work WORLD PREMIERE

SCHUBERT arr. Oguey

Winterreise (excerpts)

Artists

Musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Alexandre Oguey

Principal Cor Anglais

Dr Rebecca Chin & Family Chair

Alexandre Oguey was born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and initially studied oboe in La Chaux-de-Fonds with Françoise Faller. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Zurich Conservatorium, with Thomas Indermühle, and participated in courses with Maurice Bourgue and Emanuel Abbühl. He is the winner of several competitions including the French Swiss Radio 'Bourse des jeunes interprètes', the Migros Chamber Music competition and the Martigny International Chamber Music competition.

Before moving to Australia to join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as Principal Cor Anglais, Alexandre Oguey was Associate Principal Oboe in the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra (1990–1997). He has also played guest principal oboe with the Musikkollegium Winterthur, Zurich Opera Factory, Basel Chamber Orchestra (previously Serenata Basel), Opera Orchestra of the Bayreuth International Youth Festival and the Jeunesses Musicales Symphony Orchestra. And in 2006 he was invited to play Principal Cor Anglais in the World Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris.

As a chamber musician, he has performed throughout Europe, appearing with the prize-winning Wildwind quintet, the Lamalo and La Pâtisserie trios, and the wind ensembles Banda Classica and Octomania, as well as the contemporary music group Opus Novum Ensemble. In Australia he is a founding member of the New Sydney Wind Quintet and performs with the Australia Ensemble and contemporary music group Elision. He also performs and records 19th-century music with pianist and early music specialist Neal Peres da Costa.

Alexandre Oguey