Australia Ensemble UNSW 2026: Concert 1

A vivid staging of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, paired with romance, ragtime and brilliance from Rota, Shostakovich and Kats-Chernin.

Written in exile in Switzerland, The Soldier’s Tale is Stravinsky’s musical farewell to Russia. To be ‘read, played and danced,’ a kaleidoscope of chorales, military marches and popular Western dance music (like ragtime), tells the story of the young soldier who sells his soul to the devil. The ensemble’s production of the piece is offset by a Trio from the doyen of Italian film composers, Nino Rota. A devotee of classical forms, Rota composed this spirited three-movement piece at the time of his great score for The Godfather.

The teenaged Shostakovich played piano in cinemas, sometimes going over the top, but developing an armoury of expressive techniques for later use. His First Piano Trio – the soundtrack to his own first romance – dates from this time and shows a gifted young composer in full control of expression and craft.

Like Stravinsky, Russian-Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin loves writing lively ragtime pieces including this recent, strikingly brilliant duo for clarinet and piano.

Program

KATS-CHERNIN The Grand Rag
ROTA Trio
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Trio no.1
STRAVINSKY The Solider's Tale (full version)

David Griffiths, clarinet; Dimity Hall, violin; Julian Smiles, cello; with guest artists including Andrea Lam, piano; Andrew Barnes, bassoon, Andrew Meisel, double bass; Nigel Crocker, trombone.

Stravinsky Creative Team: Imara Savage, director; Mitchell Riley, actor; Michael Hankin, designer.

Ticketing

Student Rush Tickets available at the door from 6pm on March 14, 2026.

Membership Prices: Adult $180 | Senior $135 | Concession $108 (plus booking fees)

Single Ticket Prices: Adult $58 | Senior $44 | Concession $35 (plus booking fees)

To enquire, please email us at australia.ensemble@unsw.edu.au or phone 02 9385 4874.