Omega Ensemble: Two Breaths

In 18th-century Vienna, Mozart befriended the clarinetist Anton Stadler, whose soft and delicate playing had such a profound impact on the composer that it expanded the possibilities of Mozart’s music and inspired some of his most well-known works for the instrument, including his cherished Clarinet Quintet. Over two centuries later, it was William Barton’s grounding and deeply moving didgeridoo playing that elicited an oeuvre of work from legendary Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe, with the late composer commenting “William offered me a new direction”.

Featuring Mozart’s ever-popular Clarinet Quintet and Sculthorpe’s arresting String Quartet No. 16 (including Barton on didgeridoo), Omega Ensemble's triumphant 2022 Season is marked by the world premiere of a new commission by William Barton for didgeridoo, clarinet and string quartet.

PROGRAM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, K. 581
Peter Sculthorpe: String Quartet No. 16
William Barton: New Commission [WP] - Commissioned by Omega Ensemble