Top-notch Sydney chamber group Omega Ensemble took a sharp turn in direction about a decade ago when Artistic Director David Rowden started looking towards the now and the future.

Alongside mainstream Classical, Romantic and 20th century repertoire the ever-adventurous clarinettist started commissioning new works by internationally acclaimed contemporary US composers such as Nico Muhly alongside established and rising Australian talent.

Taking it a step further Omega set up The CoLAB Composer Accelerator Program six years ago, putting young homegrown talent through a nine-month intensive creative workshop in which their specially written new works were put through the wringer with eminent mentors and the ensemble’s musicians.

At the end of this rigorous process the works would be heard for the first time at one of Omega’s concerts.

Omega Ensemble: New Now. Photo © Gabrielle Clement

This year it is the turn of four composers – Robert McIntyre from Victoria; Kiwi Jessie Leov; Tasmanian Thomas Misson and NSW’s Beth Roche – to have their quintets premiered by Rowden with Mark Ingwersen (violin), Neil Thompson (viola), Paul Stender (cello) and Vatche Jambazian (piano).

Each piece...