Our jazz pianist, Andy Vance, unfortunately had to give up playing for Jazz Vespers last year because of illness in his family. At this stage he is uncertain as to whether he will be able to resume playing next year.
Jazz Vespers has now returned, however, rebranded as ‘Vespers: Music, Poetry, Meditation.’ The first of the new series was on 3 May, at the winter-time hour of 5 pm. We were privileged to have local Melbourne pianist Rose Riebl playing a range of her own compositions for this service. Extracts from some of her work can be heard at: <https://www.roseriebl.com/>
Vespers continues to be generally on the first Sunday of the month (but not always- we try to avoid long weekends), 5 pm during winter and 7 pm in daylight saving time.
Keep these dates (and times) in your diary for the next few months, when the pianist for the ongoing series will be Grace Ferguson:
Sunday 14 June 5 pm (a week later because of the previous long weekend for King’s Birthday). We will also observe our patronal festival earlier in the day. The poem to be read and reflected on at Vespers will be ‘Dragon,’ by poet and novelist Robyn (whom some St George’s people will remember as Bev) Cadwallader.
Sunday 5 July 5 pm.
Sunday 2 August 5 pm.
Sunday 6 September 5 pm.
Sunday 4 October7 pm (start of daylight saving): service to be led by the Rev’d Helen Creed.
Sunday 8 November7 pm (a week later because of the previous Cup Day weekend).
Sunday 21 June, 2 pm: The Reinvention of Virtuosity: The Complete Brandenburg Concertos for Piano Four Hands
Pianists Coady GreenandRicardo Roche Idini bring Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos to life in Max Reger’s spectacular arrangement for piano four hands. Brimming with invention, joy, and contrapuntal brilliance, these masterpieces reveal the full scope of Bach’s genius – from exuberant dances to intimate dialogue – in a virtuosic reimagining that celebrates both the grandeur and the intimacy of the Baroque spirit.
Sunday 12 July, 2 pm: Sophie Bisset and Coady Green
Experience the vibrant artistry of Soprano Sophie Bisset (Rising Artist, ACOCO) in an afternoon of colour, drama, and storytelling. Joined by pianist Coady Green, Sophie moves effortlessly across styles and eras – from the passion of Italian opera to the refinement of French song and the adventurous sound-worlds of contemporary music, offering an intimate glimpse into the repertoire she loves most.
Tickets at the door or online (booking details TryBooking)
Tea and Coffee available before and after the concerts.
Vespers: Music, Poetry, Meditation
Vespers: Music, Poetry, Meditation
Our jazz pianist, Andy Vance, unfortunately had to give up playing for Jazz Vespers last year because of illness in his family. At this stage he is uncertain as to whether he will be able to resume playing next year.
Jazz Vespers has now returned, however, rebranded as ‘Vespers: Music, Poetry, Meditation.’ The first of the new series was on 3 May, at the winter-time hour of 5 pm. We were privileged to have local Melbourne pianist Rose Riebl playing a range of her own compositions for this service. Extracts from some of her work can be heard at: <https://www.roseriebl.com/>
Vespers continues to be generally on the first Sunday of the month (but not always- we try to avoid long weekends), 5 pm during winter and 7 pm in daylight saving time.
Keep these dates (and times) in your diary for the next few months, when the pianist for the ongoing series will be Grace Ferguson:
Sunday 14 June 5 pm (a week later because of the previous long weekend for King’s Birthday). We will also observe our patronal festival earlier in the day. The poem to be read and reflected on at Vespers will be ‘Dragon,’ by poet and novelist Robyn (whom some St George’s people will remember as Bev) Cadwallader.
Sunday 5 July 5 pm.
Sunday 2 August 5 pm.
Sunday 6 September 5 pm.
Sunday 4 October7 pm (start of daylight saving): service to be led by the Rev’d Helen Creed.
Sunday 8 November7 pm (a week later because of the previous Cup Day weekend).
Sunday 12 April: Genevieve Gray & Ricardo Roche Idini: Lieder by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Joseph Marx, Alexander von Zemlinsky, Mathilde Kralik, Arnold Schoenberg
Soprano Genevieve Gray and pianist Ricardo Roche Idini trace a luminous path through the golden age of Viennese song. From the lush romanticism of Korngold and Marx to the fin-de-siècle lyricism of Zemlinsky and the rare voice of Mathilde Kralik, the program culminates in Schoenberg’s early expressionist sound world — a portrait of Vienna in transformation, where beauty and modernity intertwine.
Sunday 24 May: Charlotte Roberts and Lily Flynn
Sunday 21 June: The Reinvention of Virtuosity: The Complete Brandenburg Concertos for Piano Four Hands
J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major BWV 1046 J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major BWV 1047 J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major BWV 1048 J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major BWV 1049 J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major BWV 1050 J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major BWV 1051
Pianists Coady Green and Ricardo Roche Idini bring Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos to life in Max Reger’s spectacular arrangement for piano four hands. Brimming with invention, joy, and contrapuntal brilliance, these masterpieces reveal the full scope of Bach’s genius – from exuberant dances to intimate dialogue – in a virtuosic reimagining that celebrates both the grandeur and the intimacy of the Baroque spirit.
Sunday 12 July: Sophie Bisset and Coady Green
Experience the vibrant artistry of Soprano Sophie Bisset (Rising Artist, ACOCO) in an afternoon of colour, drama, and storytelling. Joined by pianist Coady Green, Sophie moves effortlessly across styles and eras – from the passion of Italian opera to the refinement of French song and the adventurous sound-worlds of contemporary music, offering an intimate glimpse into the repertoire she loves most.
Sunday 23 August: Stefania Robu and Friends
FOMS is delighted to welcome Stefania to the series in a program devoted to one of her key inspirations, Clara Schumann. Featured in the first season of ABC TV’s The Piano, Stefania has since garnered accolades from Melbourne to New York, including a concerto appearance at Carnegie Hall in November 2025.
At just twelve years old, Stefania represents a rare phenomenon: a young artist who bridges rigorous classical training, competition success, and mainstream media exposure with remarkable ease. She brings this maturity and sensitivity to a program centred on Clara Schumann’s music — a composer whose passionate, intimate sound world she feels a deep personal connection to.
Drawn to the emotional honesty and lyrical intensity of Clara’s writing, Stefania offers an afternoon of music that celebrates the enduring voice of a pioneering woman composer, heard through the fresh, intuitive musicianship of an extraordinary young artist.
Sunday 20 September: Malik Johnston
Young virtuoso pianist Malik Johnston is known for performances that combine impressive virtuosity with rare expressive depth. In this recital, he brings individual flair to works by Schubert, Chopin, Peskanov, Kouvaras and Kapustin.
Internationally award-winning young virtuoso Abby Zhao takes listeners on a glittering journey through Chopin’s complete Waltzes – music that captures the essence of grace, melancholy, and romantic brilliance. From salon elegance to profound introspection, these beloved works trace the composer’s poetic imagination and emotional depth, offering a radiant portrait of youthful artistry and expressive refinement.
Sunday 15 November: Jack Brunialti-Sykes: Brahms and Rachmaninoff
Young Melbourne pianist Jack Brunialti-Sykes has already captivated audiences from Melbourne to Manhattan and has won numerous accolades both within Australia and abroad. Here, he presents a daring program characterised by sweeping melodies and fiery virtuosity. The profound Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann by Brahms is paired with the complete etudes Opus 39 of Rachmaninoff – a feat not to be missed.
