Syzygy Ensemble

Since forming in late 2009 Syzygy Ensemble has forged a reputation as one of the finest new music ensembles in Australia, lauded for their virtuoso precision, innovative programming, and the ability to connect viscerally with their audiences. In 2010 they were awarded first prize in the chamber music section of the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition, and were the only Australian group selected to compete in the Gaudeamus International Interpreter’s Award in Amsterdam the following year. They were nominated for a Helpmann Award in 2012 for a George Crumb tribute concert, and in 2014 they were the recipients of the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Contemporary Masters Award.

Committed to the heritage works of last century as well as the newest works being written here and now, Syzygy have given critically-acclaimed performances of Schoenberg’s ‘Pierrot Lunaire’ and Messiaen’s ‘Quartet for the End of Time’, as well as being entrusted with the premiere of over 50 new Australian works. Apart from having a regular subscription series at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Syzygy has appeared at numerous festivals including the Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Music week, Metropolis Festival, Port Fairy Spring Festival, Restrung Festival (QLD), Mildura Arts festival, White Night Bendigo and has also been touring artists for Musica Viva’s Country Wide program.

Projects and programming have received support from the Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria, Creative Partnerships MATCH fund, Macedon Music Society, UKARIA, Merlyn Myer foundation and Melbourne University.
Syzygy has delivered new commissions as part of the Meryln Myer award, Glen Johnston commission prize and the Albert Maggs award.
Their debut CD, ‘Making Signs’ was released in 2015 to critical acclaim and concert broadcasts regularly feature on the ABC Classic FM and the MBS network.