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The Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO) is a professional Australian classical music ensemble based in Melbourne, Victoria.

Each year MCO gives over 50 performances including seasons of orchestral chamber music and works for smaller ensembles in its home city and on tour within the state, it runs its own chamber music festival, participates in other festivals and events, and runs workshops and masterclasses.[1]

History

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Foundation and artistic direction

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The orchestra was founded in 1990 under its original name, the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (APACO),[2] by oboist Jeffrey Crellin[3] who served as its first artistic director. Crellin was also principal oboist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), and because of the close association between the two ensembles, a number of MSO musicians also played in the chamber orchestra.[4]

In 2006, after 17 years in the position, Crellin resigned as artistic director and was replaced by violinist William Hennessy[5] who held the position until his retirement in 2021. In the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2018, Hennessy received the General Division of the Order of Australia – AM award "for significant service to music as a concert violinist, artistic director, mentor and educator".[6]

The current director is violinist Sophie Rowell, appointed from 2023, and prior to that was MSO's concertmaster.[7][8][9][10]

Change of name

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In an Australian Financial Review report, journalist Katrina Strickland called the old name, Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, "a clunky, confusing moniker".[11] This view was held by other view held by others including, significantly, the orchestra's then executive chairman, Brian Benjamin, who said, "We undertook an exhaustive research project, looking at chamber orchestras worldwide, and discovered that more than 80 per cent name themselves after their place of residence."[11] As a result, the decision was made by Benjamin and Hennessy for the name to be Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.[12][13]

In 2022, the acronym "MCO" was trademarked[14] and in 2024, the name "Melbourne Chamber Orchestra" was also trademarked.[15]

The Other Melbourne Chamber Orchestra

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In the early 1990s, Spiros Rantos (1945–2004)[16] founded the Rantos Collegium which performed as 'Melbourne Chamber Orchestra' for a couple of years before wrapping up in 1996.[17] Move Records recorded and distributed a CD during this time.[18]

As discussed above, at the same time, Crellin's group was performing as APACO and would later change to MCO to align with the opening of the Melbourne Recital Centre. Other than the name, there is no connection between the two groups.

Audiences expansion and increase in activities

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In its early days, MCO concentrated its seasons in Melbourne's Federation Square The Edge theatre which seated 450 people. As concert attendances quickly reached about 350 and were continuing to grow, the need was obvious for a larger auditorium.

With the new Melbourne Recital Centre due to be opened in February 2009, the orchestra planned to make that its main performance venue. At the time, commentator Robin Usher wrote in The Age, "There were doubts that the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra would survive its first year because it was felt the challenges of adapting to the Melbourne Recital Centre's 1000-seat Elisabeth Murdoch Hall would prove too rigorous. But the orchestra has thrived; attendances have more than doubled, with subscriptions up 60 per cent, and the best is yet to come. It has just announced two programs to be conducted by England's Sir Neville Marriner, 85, founder of the Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, in November."[12]

According to an annual report, by 2016, seven years after its move to the Recital Centre, audience support had grown to the extent that MCO decided to increase its annual season there from 11 to 13 concerts.[19]

As for all arts organisations, from when the first known case of COVID-19 in Australia was reported on 25 January 2020 until the pandemic was declared in September 2022 by the Australian government to be over, public movement was restricted and audience attendances at arts events dwindled. MCO was badly affected and only six of the 53 seasonal performances originally planned for 2020 took place. As the report for that year says,

"The orchestra pivoted to digital small-format chamber music performances for the majority of the year. In total the orchestra still presented 36 performances and events, not including its Facebook-based Moments Musicaux project. These performances included 11 digital streaming performances on Melbourne Digital Concert Hall.[20] In December, MCO was able to present an 11-performance live-audience celebration of Beethoven's 250th anniversary across eastern Victoria and Daylesford, with a string quintet."[21]

Little changed for MCO during the two years following the pandemic. But a more positive picture emerged in the 2023 summary which showed that between it and the preceding year there had been a 51% increase in attendances at all events, and a 39% increase in paid attendances at the main Melbourne orchestral concerts.[22]

MCO is now listed as one of the Melbourne Recital Centre's "Key Representing Partners",[23] which makes the centre MCO's Melbourne venue for its annual orchestral seasons.[24] Recitals of music for smaller chamber ensembles[25] are presented at other city venues including The Edge in Federation Square.

MCO also tours regional and rural centres in Victoria providing programs from their Melbourne season. The 2017 report cited earlier noted that in that year there had been "22 regional touring performances to communities from Mornington to Yackandandah, adding that the orchestra was "one of Australia's most active tourers of classical music beyond urban centres, adding significantly to the diversity of music that audiences are able to access."[19]

In September each year, MCO runs a chamber music festival called A Feast of Music at Daylesford and other nearby towns.[26] Another annual engagement is the Chamber Music Dining at Narkoojee,[27] a winery in Glengarry, Victoria.[28]

2025 was the first year in which MCO presented performances outside of Victoria. The first,[29] involving the entire orchestra along with musicians from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School,[30] took place at the Snow Concert Hall[31] in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory on 30 April. The second will be on 21 September at UKARIA Cultural Centre,[32] Mount Barker, South Australia when Sophie Rowell will lead a quartet of MCO's string players and Australian pianist Andrea Lam[33]

MCO's concerts continue to be accessible online through the Australian Digital Concert Hall subscription network and are broadcast and streamed online by Melbourne's music station 3MBS and Australia's national music network ABC Classic.

Repertoire

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MCO's repertoire ranges from early music to contemporary works.[34]

Over the years, MCO has commissioned many new works from Australian composers:

Year Composer Work title
1992 Julian Yu[35] Mini rhapsody for string orchestra.[36][37]
2001 Philip Czaplowski[38] [39]
2008 Christopher Willcock[40] Divertimento: Nolan's backyard: for string orchestra.[41]
2009 Ian Munro[42] Divertimento: Melodies of an afternoon.[43]
2013 Gordon Kerry[44] Music for double chamber orchestra (multiple orchestras).[45]
2015 Paul Stanhope[46][47][48] Nephesh: for string octet or nonet[49]
2015 Nicholas Buc[50][51] St. Mark's Scherzo.[52][53]
2017 Keith Crellin, OAM[54][55][56] In Memoriam "Jan Sedivka".[57][58]
2020 Matthew Laing[59][60][61][62] Pantomime[63]
2022 Linda Kouvaras[64][65] Piano Quartet: for piano, violin, viola and cello.[66]
2023 Caerwen Martin,[67][68] Sinfonia No 1 Embracing Duarte.[69]
2023 Ade Vincent[70][71] To Be Human: for solo tenor, electric guitar and string orchestra.[72][73]
2024 Katy Abbott[74][75][76] Glacial Thunder: for string orchestra.[77]
2024 Nigel Westlake,[78] Trumpet Concerto (World premiere of the version for chamber orchestra based on the original 2022 version for trumpet and full orchestra written in memory of Australian trumpeter Paul Goodchild.[79] [80]
2025 Richard Mills[81] Violin Concerto Sinfonia Sacra. Four Portraits of the Blessed Virgin.[82][83][84]
2025 Matthew Laing[59][60] This Waking Moment: string orchestra.[85]
2025 Melody Eötvös[86][87] Unnamed work for harpsichord and string orchestra.[88]
2025 Aaron Wyatt[89] Under The Canopy[90]
2026 Joe Chindamo[91][92] Unnamed work. World premiere. MCO program scheduled for 26 February & 2 March 2026.[93]
2026 Alice Humphries[94] Cello Concerto. Commissioned for Blair Harris,[95] MCO's Principal Cellist.[96]

It has also given the world premiere performances of works not specifically commissioned:

Year of performance Composer Work title
1997 Philip Czaplowski[38] Concerto for oboe and strings[97]
1998 Philip Czaplowski [38] Threnody: for string orchestra[98]
2010 Deborah Cheetham Fraillon,[99][100] Pecan Summer[101]
2018 Richard Mills[81] Concerto for two violins and strings[102]

Recordings

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In 2008, as Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Move Records published, Pictures at an Exhibition, featuring former (and founding) Artistic Director, Jeffrey Crellin.[103]

In 2023, MCO released its self-produced CD titled, Poems & Romances, featuring Markiyan Melnychenko and then Artistic Director, William Hennessy.[104] It received 3.5 stars from Limelight magazine.[105]

References

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  1. ^ "What's On", Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra", Move Records. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. ^ "60 seconds with ... Jeffrey Crellin", Monash Memo, Monash University, 26 April 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  4. ^ Usher, Robin. "New Era for Pro Arte", The Age, 16 August 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  5. ^ William Hennessy AM. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  6. ^ Commonwealth of Australia. Adjournment: Victoria: Queen's Birthday Honours, Senate Hansard, Thursday 21 June 2018, p. 3682. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Artistic Director", Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  8. ^ Paget, Clive."Sophie Rowell appointed Artistic Director of Melbourne Chamber Orchestra", Limelight, 12 April 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Sophie Rowell, Violin: Artistic Director – Melbourne Chamber Orchestra; Former Concertmaster – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra", Australian World Orchestra, updated 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  10. ^ Sophie Rowell, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b Strickland, Katrina. "Rebadge strikes chord Name changes inspires growth", Australian Financial Review, 20 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b Usher, Robin."Orchestra plays its strengths", The Age, 8 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Melbourne Chamber Orchestra", Move Records. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  14. ^ IP Australia – Trademark registration 2301301. Retrieved 12 December 2004.
  15. ^ IP Australia – Trademark registration 2301300. Retrieved 12 December 2004.
  16. ^ Spiros Rantos, Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Spiros Rantos Career History". Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  18. ^ Move Records. Retrieved 12 December 2024>
  19. ^ a b Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Inc.: Annual Information Statement 2017.[1] Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  20. ^ Melbourne Digital Concert Hall. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  21. ^ Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Inc.: Annual Information Statement 2020.[2] Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  22. ^ Their Reports to the Community are available for the years 2016–2023 on their website. The 2024 report is yet to be released.[Reports to the Community[3] Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  23. ^ "Key Presenting Partners", Melbourne Recital Centre.
  24. ^ "Orchestral", Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  25. ^ Chamber Concerts, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  26. ^ "A Feast of Music", Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Chamber Music Dining at Narkoojee", Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  28. ^ Narkoojee Winery. Retrieved 13 August.
  29. ^ Fantasia, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  30. ^ Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  31. ^ Snow Concert Hall. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  32. ^ UKARIA Cultural Centre. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  33. ^ Andrea Lam. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  34. ^ See, for example, a concert entitled "Illuminations"[4] in which works by Mediaeval nun Hildegard of Bingen, Baroque singer and composer Barbara Strozzi, Romantic composer, conductor and virtuoso musician Giovanni Bottesini, and contemporary composer Andrea Clearfield were performed in September 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  35. ^ Julian Yu: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  36. ^ Mini rhapsody: for string orchestra by Julian Yu (1992), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  37. ^ The full title is Mini rhapsody on the Korean folk song "Arirang" and was commissioned by MCO for use as an encore piece during its 1992 tour of South Korea. The first performance was given in Seoul.[5] Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  38. ^ a b c Philip Czaplowski: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  39. ^ Concerto for Clarinet and Strings by Philip Czaplowski (2001), Australian Music Centre, Retrieved 17 November 2024
  40. ^ Christopher Willcock: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  41. ^ Divertimento: Nolan's backyard: for string orchestra by Christopher Willcock (2008), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  42. ^ Ian Munro: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  43. ^ Divertimento: Melodies of afternoon by Ian Munro (2009), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  44. ^ Gordon Kerry: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  45. ^ Music for double chamber orchestra (multiple orchestras) by Gordon Kerry (2013), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  46. ^ Paul Stanhope, composer. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  47. ^ Paul Stanhope: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  48. ^ Associate Professor Paul Stanhope, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  49. ^ Nephesh: for string octet or nonet by Paul Stanhope (2015), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  50. ^ Nichilas Buc: Associate Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  51. ^ Nicholas Buc, Composer, Conductor Arranger. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  52. ^ St. Mark's Scherzo: string orchestra (2015), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  53. ^ There are no records of a public performance having been given.
  54. ^ Violist, composer, teacher, formerly Associate Professor, Head of the String Department, and Conductor-in-Residence, Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  55. ^ Keith Crellin. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  56. ^ Associate Professor Keith Crellin.[6], Corpus Medicorum. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  57. ^ The work was commissioned by MCO at the request of its Artistic Director, William Hennessy. MCO recorded it in 2021 and it was released on a CD entitled Poems & Romances: Music by Beethoven, Chausson & Shostakovich in String Orchestra Arrangements by Keith Crellin on MCO's own CD label (MCOR2021).[7] There are no records of a public performance ever being given by MCO. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  58. ^ The first concert performance of In Memoriam "Jan Sedivka" was given in Melbourne on 22 May 2022 by Corpus Medicorum[8] conducted by Keith Crellin.[9]. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  59. ^ a b Matthew Laing: Represented Artist/ Matthew Laing, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  60. ^ a b Matt Laing – Composer – Violist. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  61. ^ Matthew Laing: Associate Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  62. ^ Pantomime: string orchestra by Matthew Laing (2020), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  63. ^ Pantomime: string orchestra (2020), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  64. ^ Linda Kouvaras: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  65. ^ Professor Linda Kouvaras, Professor in Music (Musicology), Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  66. ^ Piano Quartet: for piano, violin, viola and cello by Linda Kouvaras (2022), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  67. ^ Caerwen Martin, Australian composer and educator. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  68. ^ Caerwen Martin: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  69. ^ Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Concert Notes: Art of the Symphony, 22 August 2023 Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  70. ^ Ade Vincent, Melbourne-based composer, audio producer and performer. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  71. ^ Vincent AdeAustralian Music Centre. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  72. ^ To Be Human: for solo tenor, electric guitar and string orchestra (2023), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  73. ^ For this song cycle, singer Lior provided the lyrics which Abe Vincent set to music. Lior and MCO gave the world premiere in Shepparton, Victoria on 16 November 2023 followed by performances in other regional centres and Melbourne.MCO, Of People & Song. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  74. ^ MCO's Music Speaks Concert Notes, 29 February and 3 March 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  75. ^ Katy Abbott – Composer. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  76. ^ Katy Abbott: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  77. ^ Glacial Thunder: for string orchestra (2024). Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  78. ^ Nigel Westlake: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  79. ^ MCO's Light + Shade program, 18 and 21 April 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  80. ^ A reference to the world premiere of the original concerto by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra with trumpeter Brent Grapes. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  81. ^ a b Richard Mills: Represented Artist Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  82. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Opening night world premiere to leap off festival stage, says soloist",[10] Region, 19 April 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  83. ^ This work was co-commissioned by MCO and The Robert Salzer Foundation.The Robert Salzer Foundation Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  84. ^ See also MCO's Concert Notes: Fantasia, 30 April 2025.[11] Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  85. ^ https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/workversion/laing-matthew-this-waking-moment/40886/ This Waking Moment: string orchestra (2025).] Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  86. ^ Melody Eötvös : Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  87. ^ Melody Eötvös, Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  88. ^ MCO's Nightingale program, Melbourne Recital Centre, 20 & 23 November 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  89. ^ Aaron Wyatt: Associate Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  90. ^ Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier, Liam. "In Conversation: Aaron Wyatt On Composing for MCO."[12] Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  91. ^ Joe Chindamo: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  92. ^ Joe Chindamo, Composer, Pianist. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  93. ^ Flexible Sky. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  94. ^ Alice Humphries. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  95. ^ Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier, Liam. "Meet the MCO: Cellist, Blair Harris,"[13] 8 July 2025, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  96. ^ Briggs, Maddy. "Melbourne Chamber Orchestra 2026: “A deeply personal journey”", Limelight, 5 August 2025."Melbourne Chamber Orchestra 2026: “A deeply personal journey”. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  97. ^ Concerto for Oboe and Strings by Philip Czaplowski (1997) Australian Music Centre, Retrieved 17 November 2024
  98. ^ Threnody: String Orchestra by Philip Czaplowski (1998), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 17 November 2024
  99. ^ Deborah Cheetham Fraillon: Represented Artist, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  100. ^ Professor Deborah Fraillon, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  101. ^ Pecan Summer: opera by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon (2010), Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  102. ^ Concerto for two violins and strings (string orchestra with multiple soloists) by Richard Mills. Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  103. ^ Move Records. Retrieved 12 December 2024
  104. ^ Purchase Poems & Romances. Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Retrieved 12 December 2024
  105. ^ Limelight review by Greg Keane, 30 March 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2024
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