“…Rarely have I been so impressed by a new ensemble. A combination of formidable pedigree of training, flawless technique, impressive musical intelligence, profound sensitivity and performance élan leads me to draw the analogy of there being evidence here of the ingredients of a true vintage wine which can only get better with age.”

– David Barmby, Arts Hub December 2015

The Australia Piano Quartet (APQ) has been Ensemble in Residence at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) since 2012. Their busy performance schedule includes a series presented by the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as international tours throughout Europe and Asia. Following a successful debut at London’s Barbican Centre in 2015, APQ returned to the UK in 2016 for performances at Wigmore Hall and Oxford’s Holywell Room and also toured China and France.

In addition to their exploration of canonic masterpieces of the piano quartet repertoire, the ensemble are committed to unearthing neglected works of past and present, while championing the creation of new work. To date they have commissioned over 20 new piano quartets from a diverse range of established and emerging Australian composers, including Elliott Gyger, Elena Kats-Chernin, Jack Symonds, Paul Dean and William Barton.

As Ensemble in Residence at UTS, APQ actively collaborates across multiple disciplines and engages in a uniquely innovative dialogue with the wider community of students, academic staff, guest artists and the general public. A highlight of the residency in 2016 will be a  new composition created with inventor Jordan Nguyen, which enables individuals with high-level disability to perform with APQ using cutting-edge technology. APQ will also further expand its existing education and outreach programs, encompassing mentoring of talented young instrumentalists and workshops and performances in association with the Australian Centre for Childhood and Youth. The Australia Piano Quartet is very grateful to Kawai Australia for their generous support of the UTS Series.

APQ’s performances have been broadcast on Foxtel Arts (2015 Helpmann Awards), ABC Classic FM and BBC Radio 3. In 2017, the ensemble will release their first disc, Mozart’s complete works for piano quartet.