“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary we are reflecting on our identity as an Australian chamber ensemble. In this program we have chosen three works in which the composers were likely pondering similar questions. It is a joy to return to the powerful and evocative work, Bungaree, which the quartet premiered in 2020. I’m wondering, how could I not have heard of such an important historical figure as Bungaree? Thanks to Deborah, he is now part of my idea of Australia’s identity and Bungaree, the piece, will always be important in Flinders Quartet’s repertoire and musical identity. Australia Fair? by Bryony Marks asks us to think about very important and fundamental questions about identity. Who are we, who were we, and who do we want to be? Dvorak wrote his last chamber work, the A flat major string quartet, at the very end of his time in America. His musical identity is so connected to his love of the landscape of his homeland, the Czech Republic.”

~ Helen Ireland, viola