The devil played the violin for Tartini in a dream. The music was charismatic, electrifying, fiendishly difficult and utterly transfixing. Tartini awoke and transcribed the melody, penning the Devil’s Trill sonata. It can only be played by someone astounding.

The Devil’s Violin

ACO On The Pier

Since the release of their recorded trilogy of Paul Stanhope’s quartets, the ASQ has proudly championed this beloved Australian composer, whose first string quartet, Elegies and Dances, bristles with rhythmic vitality.

Australian String Quartet: Convergence

The mesmeric lure of the ocean inspires this powerful program. Wagner’s Flying Dutchman depicts a legendary ghostly ship, doomed to sail forever. Paul Stanhope’s Mahāsāgar draws inspiration from the beauty, danger and sense of place defined by the vast Indian Ocean. Ravel’s Une barque sur l’ocean evokes a lonely ship at sea, and the aqueous textures of Debussy’s impressionistic masterpiece La Mer portray the ocean’s ever-changing surface and eternal depths.

La Mer

The University of Western Australia

A program of exquisite contemporary Australian works alongside masterpieces of string orchestra repertoire. A new violin concerto by one of Australia’s most respected composers, Richard Mills, who has conceived the work with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Artistic Director Sophie Rowell as the soloist. 

Paul Stanhope

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 8, 2026

Oliver Stark, wind conducting · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

Past events

12 - 28 Mar, 2026

The Devil’s Violin · Australian Chamber Orchestra

Oct 20, 2025

Australian String Quartet: Convergence · Australian Chamber Orchestra

About

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