three Immel Brennan Murray

"Virtuosity to burn..."

- Alan Holley, classikON Ensemble Three was founded by Melbourne-based musicians unified in their goal to diversify and expand the chamber music repertoire for trumpet, trombone, and guitar. Over the past five years the group has curated a unique collection of cutting-edge new works and presented performances that resonate with current-day audiences. Each member brings a distinctive musical background to the ensemble, with influences ranging from jazz and popular music to traditional “classical” and avant-garde contemporary music. Many of the pieces they have commissioned enhance the sonic possibilities of their unique instrumental combination through the addition of pre-recorded electronic soundscapes and live electronic sound manipulation.

The group’s debut album, Midnight Songs, received numerous favourable reviews and has been described as an “intriguingly beautiful record” (CutCommon) that “hold[s] the listener enthralled” (Soundboard). They won the 2017 Melbourne Recital Centre Contemporary Masters Award, and ABC Classic FM showcased their world-premiere performance of Wally Gunn’s Pinwheel at the 2017 International Rostrum of Composers in Sicily.

Through their performances in Australia and overseas, a dedication to commissioning new works, and an ever-expanding catalogue of recordings, Ensemble Three has established itself as “an inspiring example of forward-thinking classical music culture in Australia” (CutCommon).

Upcoming Performances

MRC Relaxed Performances
Thursday 17 September 2020, 12:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
Promoting a casual approach to sound and movement, the Centre’s series of Relaxed Performances provides the same exceptional artists in the best place to hear, with an environment specifically suited for audiences with sensory sensitivities. A relaxed performance is designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for people with autism, learning disabilities and sensory or communication needs. There is the ability for audience members to enter and exit the venue throughout the concert, the house lights will be turned on, and the sound will be moderated, providing a comfortable and less formal musical experience. With performances running for 45 minutes, this series is also perfect for young families. Children will be free to wriggle if they need, or leave the Primrose Potter Salon and move to a designated quiet area in the ground level foyer.

Pinwheel
Wednesday 8 July 2020, 6:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
This work features a new piece by Alan Holley alongside some of our favourites by Christian O’Brien, Wally Gunn, and Julian Yu.

Wet Ink
Tuesday 10 December 2019, 6:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
World premiere performances of Chris Pickering's "Lesser Heroes" and Timothy Dargville's "Transcience" alongside Yihan Chen's "清涼—still" and Dai Fujikura's "Three.

Premieres
Tuesday 11 June 2019 6pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
World premiere performances of "...until it's gone: rhapsody on loss" by Linda Kouvaras and Caerwen Martin's "What Lies Beneath" and the Australian premiere of "Magically Delicious" by Rudresh Mahanthappa.

Organica
Monday 23 July 2018, 6:00pm
Our second MRC Local Heroes program focuses on local composers and will include Katy Abbott's lush 'Midnight Songs', the foot-stomping 'PIT_T' by Christian O'Brien, Andrew Batterham's 'Organica', and 'Slow Air' by Andrew Ford.

Undercurrents
Monday 19 Febrary 2018, 6:00pm
The first of our 2017 MRC Local Heroes programmes, this program will feature the world premiere of a new commission by Jake Donahue alongside works by Katy Abbott, Elliott Hughes, Jane Hammond, and Harry Sdraulig.

Macedon Music
Sunday 17 September 2017, 2:30pm
World premiere performances of Jane Hammond's 'Country Crow Shuffle', Elliott Hughes's 'Despite our Silent Elders', a new work by Harry Sdraulig, as well as Katy Abbott's 'undercurrenT'