Elysium Ensemble
Biographie Elysium Ensemble
The Elysium Ensemble
has been acclaimed by critics for its exciting performances, fine musicianship and authoritative interpretations of music from the Baroque and Classical periods. This special ensemble embodies the concept of elysium (defined in the 17th century as a state of ideal happiness) by bringing together musicians whose awareness of the stylistic demands of the repertoire is combined with a mastery of period instruments. The ensemble’s performances are indicative of the freshness and spontaneity which the musicians bring to this collaboration through discussion, rehearsal, experimentation and research.
Founded in 1985 by Greg Dikmans, the Elysium Ensemble has a flexible format drawn from Australasia’s leading period instrument specialists who perform an extensive repertoire including chamber music and orchestral works. Lucinda Moon is a core member who has collaborated with Greg for many years in the artistic and musical direction of the ensemble.
From 1989 to 2002 the ensemble presented an annual concert series in Melbourne that established its reputation as one of Australia’s finest chamber ensembles. The Melbourne series included a one-day Baroque Festival from 1998-1993 that involved guest artists and ensembles from Australia and overseas.
Greg Dikmans and Lucinda Moon
have been working together for over 25 years. In this time they have developed a fruitful collaboration built around an approach to historically informed performance that is characterised by careful scholarship combined with subtle, tasteful and, above all, unpretentious musicianship.
Greg and Lucinda have both undertaken postgraduate studies in Europe, studying with leading exponents of Early Music including Barthold Kuijken (flute) and Sigiswald Kuijken (violin).
In recent years they have focused on the rich and varied genre of the 18th-century instrumental duet. In this time they have presented concerts exploring the theme of Dialogue: The Art of Elegant Conversation.
On returning to Australia, Greg founded the Elysium Ensemble in 1985 with the aim of bringing together musicians with an affinity for the music of the Baroque and Classical periods and an interest in historically informed performance. He continued his postgraduate research, completing a Masters thesis on the performance of 18th-century French flute music in 1991, and has been teaching at a number of tertiary institutions.
After completing her formal studies, Lucinda was appointed concertmaster of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (1995–2008). She has performed and recorded with baroque orchestras and ensembles in Australia, Mexico, Japan, Europe, Canada and Scandinavia.
