Lyrical Masterpieces: Brieley Cutting and Kristian Winther

Kristian Winther and Brieley Cutting look forward to sharing this uplifting recital of major classics from the French and German repertory. Performing together since their formative years at the Australian National Academy of Music, both curated the program from the idea of offering music bestowed with a ‘sunny’ nature and inherent beauty.  

The first half takes us to France: Debussy's shimmering Violin and Piano Sonata followed by Lili Boulanger's delicately heart-warming Two Pieces and then Messiaen's Theme and Variations, this built on a lyrical idea consisting of a floating melody. The second half of the program commences with an early work from Sydney's own Dulcie Holland. In Tribute inhabits a melodic, optimistic and sunny space. The recital takes us to Germany with Brahms' Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78 for Violin and Piano, a Romantic masterpiece of exquisite beauty and lyricism, where the violin and piano echo one another whilst demanding virtuosity from both players. The final movement is known to transport its listeners, as it did for Clara Schumann who wrote "…I wish that the last movement could accompany me in my journey from here to the next world."

Program

• Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano - Claude Debussy (1862-1918) (composed 1917)

• Deux Morceaux for Violin and Piano - Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) (composed 1914)

• Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano - Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) (composed 1932)

interval

• In Tribute: Fantasy upon a theme of Hooper Brewster-Jones - Dulcie Holland (1913-2000) (composed 1932)

• Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78 for Violin and Piano - Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) (composed 1879)

About the Artists

Kristian Winther is a versatile violinist, acclaimed as a soloist and dynamic chamber musician across classic, contemporary, and rare works. He has toured nationally for Musica Viva Australia and performed as a soloist with major orchestras including the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. Winther has also served as Guest Concertmaster for the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and led ACO Collective. He was a violinist in the Banff International String Quartet Competition-winning TinAlley String Quartet. Since 2016, he has been part of the Play On series, performing in diverse venues. Notable performances include Bach’s complete unaccompanied sonatas and partitas in a single day and Reger’s violin concerto. Kristian plays an 1859 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin, loaned by UKARIA Cultural Centre.

Brieley Cutting has a diverse career, winning the Symphony Australia ABC Young Performers Awards (National Keyboard Winner) and receiving a Doctorate of Musical Arts. She has performed throughout Australia for organisations like ABC Classic FM and Musica Viva, with appearances at numerous festivals including The Piano Mill, Tyalgum, Bangalow, and MONA's Festival of Voices. Cutting has also performed in Europe and collaborated with leading Australian ensembles such as Ensemble Trivium and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players. As a concerto soloist, she has played with orchestras including the Melbourne and Queensland Symphonies. Recently, a show she co-produced with composer Mark Oliveiro was nominated for Best in Music at the 2023 Sydney Fringe Festival.