By REBECCA BILLS
MULTI Grammy award-winning cellist Eugene Friesen for the United States will be making his Australian debut at Stone of the Yarra Valley.
Performing as a guest soloist alongside members of Melbourne chamber ensemble The New Palm Court Orchestra, Friesen is active internationally as a performer, composer and teacher.
The Boston-based cellist is widely regarded for his ground-breaking work on the cello.
This is particularly for his improvisation and work with the famous Paul Winter Consort of which he is a long term member of more than 30 years and with whom he received four Grammy awards.
Melbourne pianist and composer Gemma Turvey established the NPCO in 2012 and said she is looking forward to their performance with Friesen.
“I had the good fortune of meeting Eugene in Boston in July and immediately invited him to come to Australia and perform with the NPCO,” she said.
“His concerts with us will be an absolute treat.”
The NPCO brings together some of Melbourne’s best classical, jazz and world musicians to perform Turvey’s instrumental compositions and arrangements and is made up of a core nine musicians.
Friesen is currently an artist-in-residence at the Cathedral of Saint John the Devine in New York City and a Professor of Music at Berklee College of Music, Boston.
The New Palm Court Orchestra with Eugene Friesen Performance Summary is on Friday 21 March at 8pm at The Chapel, Stones of the Yarra Valley – 14 St Huberts Road, Coldstream.
Tickets range from $30 to $40, to book visit www.trybooking.com/DZYN or call 9739 0900.
Complimentary canapés will be served from 7.15pm.
