Artaria

“Every detail of the making of this recording has been undertaken with meticulous care…the evidence of a world-class undertaking is there … to hear…I cannot recommend it highly enough…” Anthony Steel, AM, former Artistic Director, Adelaide, Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney Festivals, former General Manager: LA Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, Southbank Centre, London

Five of Australia’s most acclaimed chamber musicians unite to explore some of the evocative and appealing repertoire for oboe and strings. This is the beginning in a series of collaborations under new label ARTARIA that aim to present the oboe in refreshingly evocative repertoire.

Exploring the wealth of appealing repertoire for oboe with the highest calibre colleagues has long been a personal goal. Such collaborations are a treat for all:  producing carefully considered and deeply felt interpretations, gathering together in a break from busy lives around the country, relishing the collaboration with wonderful musicians, venues, recording team, producers, design and videographer. Artaria’s unique video products featuring the players in performance amid stunning South Australian landscapes are already in production to bring the complete joy of these fresh performances presented differently to the wider public.

Combining a wealth of musical experience, the group collectively lists Australian String Quartet, The Nash Ensemble, Australia Ensemble, Australian Chamber Orchestra, St Martin’s in the Fields, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, London Chamber Players, several BBC groups, London Symphony Orchestra, Abbey Road Studios, Selby and Friends among their credits and close working connections with some of the giants of the recent music world. With a collective approach arising from style, training, nostalgia and their new Australian perspectives, this group is uniquely placed to freshly interpret this soulful English repertoire.

“Celia Craig is a bundle of oboe energy. Apart from the demands of the principal position with the Adelaide Symphony she found the time to create a completely separate musical project, bringing together a crack band of musicians for a recording … lightness and translucence…enough warmth and yet not so much reverberence that you lose the definition of lines from strings to oboe. Producer Kevin Roper beautifully captured that warmth and lucidity…” Guy Noble, ‘Reeding Matter’ March 2018