September 4th, 2027 at 7.00pm
The Mary Reid Tribute Concert
About the artists
DAVID FUNG (Piano)
Praised for his “ravishing and simply gorgeous” performances in The Washington Post, pianist David Fung has captivated audiences at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Louvre, Gewandhaus, Palais des Beaux-Arts, and Zürich Tonhalle, as well as the major halls throughout Asia.
A born collaborator, David Fung is a highly sought-after guest at leading chamber music festivals worldwide, and has performed with internationally renowned ensembles including the Brentano, Dover, and Escher Quartets; Eighth Blackbird, and the Australia Ensemble. A founding member of the Manhattan Chamber Players, and pianist for Trio Garibaldi at UBC, he has enjoyed collaborations with violinists Tessa Lark, Anthony Marwood, Julian Rachlin, and Alexander Sitkovetsky; pianists Yeol-Eum Son and Yuja Wang; and many more.
A past winner of the ABC Young Performer’s Award, Mr. Fung garnered international attention as laureate of the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition in Brussels and the Arthur Rubinstein Piano International Masters Competition in Tel Aviv, where he was further distinguished by the Chamber Music and Mozart Prizes. A graduate of Los Angeles’ Colburn Conservatory, Yale University, and the Hannover Hochschüle, Mr. Fung serves on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music and the University of British Columbia. Mr. Fung is a Steinway Artist.
Listen to David Fung playing Bach (Skip the ad – it’s worth it!)
Listen to Dimity and Julian playing Edwards “Ecstatic Dances”
DIMITY HALL (Violin)
Dimity has performed across Australia and throughout the world for over three decades, as a member of both the Australia Ensemble UNSW and of the internationally-acclaimed Goldner String Quartet, which she co-founded in 1995 with colleagues Dene Olding, Irina Morozova and Julian Smiles. After a distinguished career, the ‘Goldners’ celebrated their 30th and final season in 2024 with all founding members intact – a rare accomplishment.
With both chamber ensembles Dimity has made numerous critically-acclaimed recordings, on labels such as Hyperion Records, ABC Classics, Tall Poppies and Naxos. Prior to joining the Australia Ensemble as a core member in 1992, she held the position of Principal Second Violin with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Dimity has performed as a soloist with the Sydney Symphony and Canberra Symphony Orchestras as well as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Queensland’s Camerata, and numerous community orchestras.
Dimity’s solo recording of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending is released on ABC Classics.
She has appeared as guest principal with the SSO, and guest concertmaster for the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras.
She has also performed as a chamber musician for the Sydney International Piano Competition and for Selby and Friends.
Dimity has mentored young musicians through programs of Musica Viva Australia, the Sydney Conservatorium, the Sydney and Australian Youth Orchestras and the Australian National Academy of Music. She has also served as a juror for competitions, such as the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.
Having completed Bachelor of Music studies with acclaimed pedagogue Alice Waten at the Sydney Conservatorium, Dimity undertook post-graduate studies in Amsterdam with renowned violinist Herman Krebbers. She toured and recorded as a casual member of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and gave recitals as winner of the Zilveren Vriendenkrans award.
Dimity plays a Nicolo Gagliano violin, kindly on loan from the Olding family.
JULIAN SMILES (Cello)
Julian Smiles has for over 30 years been a central figure in cello performance and teaching in Australia. He grew up in Canberra, studying with Nelson Cooke at the Canberra School of Music, and was then accepted as a Graduate Special Student in Janos Starker’s class at Indiana University.
Julian launched his professional career at the age of 19, when he was appointed Principal Cello with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
In 1991 he was invited to join the UNSW based Australia Ensemble, and in 1995 formed the Goldner String Quartet with colleagues Dene Olding, Dimity Hall and Irina Morozova. With these two chamber groups he has performed to critical acclaim at major venues and festivals throughout the world, made over 30 CDs on leading labels, and premiered many works by Australian and international composers.
Julian’s performances over the years have included artistic collaborations with musicians such as Piers Lane, Jack Liebeck, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Tasmin Little, William Barton, Edgar Meyer, Joseph Tawadros, Amy Dickson and James Crabb, among others.
Active as a soloist with numerous concerto appearances, Julian has also premiered works for solo cello by eminent Australian composers such as Carl Vine, Mark Isaacs and Ross Edwards.
As 2024 marked the 30th and final year of the the Goldner String Quartet, Julian enjoys continued opportunities to expand his profile as an individual musician.
Julian is sought after as a teacher and chamber music coach and mentor. He has held teaching positions at the Australian Institute of Music and Canberra School of Music, and is currently Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead for Strings at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Julian plays an 1827 Lorenzo Ventapane cello.
Program- Unlikely to change
MOZART Piano Sonata in F major, K.280 (14’)
Clara SCHUMANN 3 Romances Op.22, Violin & Piano (10’)
MENDELSSOHN Song Without Words Op.109, Cello and Piano (4.5’)
Robert SCHUMANN Adagio & Allegro Op.70, Cello and Piano (9.5’)
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BEETHOVEN Piano Trio Op.97 ‘Archduke’
David Fung Piano
