Friends of Music Series (FOMS)

1. Sunday 21 June, 2 pm: The Reinvention of Virtuosity: The Complete Brandenburg Concertos for Piano Four Hands

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.

https://www.trybooking.com/DMLSV

• 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.

https://www.trybooking.com/DMLTF

Tickets at the door or online (booking details TryBooking)

Tea and Coffee available before and after the concerts.

FOMS Concerts to come later in 2026

• 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.

• Sunday 18 October: Abby Zhao: Complete Chopin Waltzes

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.