The Leila Waddell Concert Series 2026:

​Program

Fanny MENDELSSOHN (1805–1847)
Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 (1846–1847)

Kelly-Marie MURPHY (b. 1964)
Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly (1997)

Elena KATS-CHERNIN (b. 1957)
Spirit and the Maiden (2004)

Clara SCHUMANN (1819–1896)
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (1846)
 

Bold, brilliant women in chamber music.

​

Join the Streeton Trio for a powerful and inspiring evening celebrating the brilliance and resilience of women in music. This program shines a light on four extraordinary female composers who defied convention and left a lasting mark on the classical world.

The concert opens with Fanny Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor (Germany), a passionate and lyrical masterpiece that rivals the works of her famous brother, Felix. Despite societal barriers, Fanny composed over 400 works, proving that talent knows no gender.

Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly (Canada) soars with fiery intensity and breathtaking virtuosity, symbolizing rebirth and transformation—a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s Spirit and the Maiden blends haunting beauty with raw energy, drawing inspiration from folklore to tell a story of courage and resilience.

Clara Schumann’s Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (Germany) is testament to the child prodigy turned musical trailblazer. Clara balanced motherhood and a legendary career to create an enduring legacy as one of history’s greatest musicians.

This concert celebrates women’s voices, creativity, and determination, proving that the power of music—and the power of women—knows no bounds.

 

About the Artists

Emma Jardine           violin

Rachel Siu                  cello

Bernadette Harvey    piano

 

Founded in 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Streeton Trio is Australia’s most internationally successful piano trio. Named after Sir Arthur Streeton, the ensemble is now based in Sydney and features violinist Emma Jardine, cellist Rachel Siu, and pianist Bernadette Harvey.

Winners of the 2011 Musica Viva Chamber Music Competition, the trio has been laureates of prestigious international competitions and received support from the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria, and the Ian Potter Cultural Trust. They have performed at Wigmore Hall (London), Het Loo Royal Palace (Holland), and Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre (China), among other esteemed venues.

With four acclaimed CDs, their recordings are frequently featured on ABC Classic and Classic FM, praised for their “crisp, gutsy” interpretations (The Age). The Streeton Trio continues to captivate audiences across Australia and internationally, cementing its place as one of the country’s premier chamber ensembles.
 

Tickets

Adults $49 

Concession $45

Music Students $10 (kindly subsidised by our generous donors)

All tickets sold online or at the door

A transaction fee applies

​​​

Presented in association with Musica Viva Australia