To a sell-out performance, Adele Okhi, Founder and Artistic Director of Sydney Chamber Music Institute, sketched out, with obvious pride, her vision that has inspired the launch of the institute, in creating a space where gifted musicians can immerse themselves in the art of chamber music, learning and performing alongside Australia’s finest professional.
Artists :
Adele Ohki- Violin/ Artistic Director
Alexander Yau- Piano
Robert Johnson- French Horn
David Saddir- Violin
James Eccles- Viola
Christopher Bennett- Cello
Alicia Kim- Cello (Student Artist)
Sienna Kim- Violin(Student Artist)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K.421/417b
This is music with an emotional intensity with the opening movement begins one of his most haunting inspiration: a hushed, sighing phrase from which an entire world of tension and lyricism unfolds. The second movement offers lyrical repose without ever escaping the shadows cast by the opening. A fiery minuet follows, its stern outer sections giving way to a graceful and unexpectedly playful trio. The finale, a set of variations on a noble, almost austere theme, demonstrates Mozart’s extraordinary imagination. Each variation reveals a different facet of the melody before the music gathers irresistible momentum towards its conclusion. Particularly striking is where bold trumpet-like fanfares seem to pass from one instrument to another, transforming four string players into something almost orchestral.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1887)
Klavierstucke, Op.118
No.5, Romance in F major
No.6, Intermezzo in E-flat minor
Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935)
Passacaglia in G Minor, after Handel for violin & cello
Johan Halvorsen occupied a central place in Norwegian musical life as a concertmaster, theatre conductor, and Symphony composer. Not a lot of his output remains, except for this one, now a cornerstone of the string-duo repertoire. The theme comes from the final movement of Handel’s Harpsichord Suite in G minor. He reworked it for violin and violas, pushing the material well beyond its Baroque proportions. The piece opens starkly, with the lower instrument laying down the four-bar ground bass alone before the upper voice enters with a melody built from forceful double stops. The music intensifies with one variation sending players through the scales at the extreme top and bottom of their ranges with an ending, an endless stream of double-stopped sixteenth notes. Both violin and cello excelled in their remarkable skill sets and virtuosity.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1887)
Horn trio in E-flat Major, Op.40
To see the superb craftsman of Alexander Yau on piano, Robert Johnson on French horn and our ebullient Adele Ohki on violin, was a master-class of bliss musically and collaboratively. Our pianist has a versatile and serious mastery of his instrument, with a refined artistic taste and restraint even in the most brilliant passages.
On French horn, Robert Johnson, long stalwart of the SSO has appeared with all the major Australian orchestras as guest principal. It was indeed a pleasure to sit almost on top of him to enjoy the timbre of the horn and his adroit mastery.
Adele Ohki is a widely recognised and honoured professional violinist and arts leader, she has established herself as a versatile artist across orchestral, chamber and solo performance in Australia, Europe and the United States. She is a respected educator and advocate for the enhancement of musically gifted young musicians, giving birth to the Sydney Chamber Music Institute.
David Saffir was part of Professor Igor Ozim’s Amadeus Quartet in Germany before returning to Australia to lead various string Quartets. He is professional soloist with Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, a deeply respected chamber musician and a hell of a violinist.
James Eccles is a leading violinist who has worked with many of Australia’s leading ensambles including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Pinchgut Opera, Australian Haydn Ensamble and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. He is versatile working in jazz, early music, experimental music. He currently runs the Music Program at Forest Lodge and St Mary’s Cathedral College.
Christopher Bennett is a pedigreed cellist with a busy career as teacher, freelance performer and arts leader, playing with Opera Australia, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Moorambilla Voices, and Trackdown Session Orchestra. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Continuum Music which provides access to music education and instruments in Western Sydney.
Alicia Kim-17 began playing cello at the age of six and holds a full music scholarship as well as being captain at Barker College, leading the cello section of her school orchestra. She is an exceptional all-rounder and plays her cello with vigor and beautiful understanding.
Sienna Kim-15 began playing violin at the tender age of five. A live wire at the Rising Stars program at the Sydney Conservatorium and is a full music scholarship at Ravenswood School for Girls. She regularly performs as a soloist snd chamber musician in the Conservatorium weekly concerts. She was a semi-finalist in the KPO Concerto competition.
This evening’s display will be the foundation for an extremely popular venue for the highest calibre of musicality performances. Sitting in the front row, meters from all the musical vibrations and timbre produced by an extraordinary group of musicians was spellbinding and took intimacy to a new level. Loved the performances.
This concert took place at the Hayes Street Studio on August 14 2026.
