World Premiere of Australian Composer Andrew Schultz’s Piano Concerto
Cadogan Hall | Wednesday 15 Oct 2025 @ 7:30pm
The London Chorus, one of the city’s most prestigious choirs, presented a very special concert under the baton of guest conductor Adrian Brown. This inspiring programme highlights a strong Australian collaboration, supported by the Australian Music Foundation.
The evening featured five distinguished Australian artists, including Australian Music Foundation alumni Alexandra Flood (Soprano, 2015 Awardee) and Duncan Rock (Baritone, 2008 Awardee), alongside Deborah Humble (Mezzo-Soprano), Brad Cooper (Tenor), and the renowned concert pianist Rosemary Tuck.
The concert opened with Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), a powerful choral work setting Hölderlin’s moving text contrasting divine serenity with human struggle.
The centrepiece of the programme is the world premiere of Australian composer Andrew Schultz’s Piano Concerto, Op. 114, performed by Rosemary Tuck. This beautiful and deeply expressive new work, in two movements, continues the theme of enlightenment and self-discovery, echoing the contrasts first explored by Brahms.
The evening culminated with a performance of Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D minor — one of the greatest and most beloved masterpieces in the choral repertoire — performed by The London Chorus, the New London Orchestra, and the four outstanding Australian soloists.The London Chorus delivered an unforgettable evening of music-making at its recent concert, conducted by esteemed guest maestro Adrian Brown. The programme — rich in artistic depth and emotional contrast — shone a spotlight on an exceptional Australian collaboration proudly supported by the Australian Music Foundation (AMF).
Bringing extraordinary talent to the fore, the performance featured five distinguished Australian artists: AMF alumni Alexandra Flood (Soprano, 2015 Awardee) and Duncan Rock (Baritone, 2008 Awardee), joined by Deborah Humble (Mezzo-Soprano), Brad Cooper (Tenor), and acclaimed concert pianist Rosemary Tuck. Their artistry underscored the AMF’s long-standing commitment to championing Australian performers on the international stage.
The programme opened with Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), a work of striking emotional tension. Under Brown’s thoughtful direction, The London Chorus captured Hölderlin’s poignant juxtaposition of celestial calm and human turmoil, setting a compelling tone for the evening.
At the heart of the programme was the world premiere of Australian composer Andrew Schultz’s Piano Concerto, Op. 114, performed by the internationally acclaimed pianist Rosemary Tuck. A Sydney-born Steinway Artist, Tuck has appeared in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House and Wigmore Hall, and is known for her championing of distinctive and often rediscovered repertoire. Her pioneering recording projects — including world-premiere recordings of works by Carl Czerny, William Vincent Wallace and Albert Ketèlbey — have attracted significant critical recognition.
Schultz has described the concerto’s two movements as unfolding from a first movement that is “expansive, tender and slow” to a second movement that is “in constant flight – fast.” Tuck delivered the premiere with brilliance, clarity and expressive insight, offering a compelling interpretation of this vivid new Australian work. Her involvement, including her commissioning history with Schultz, stands as a powerful example of the AMF’s mission to support Australian musicians whose work resonates on the international stage.
The evening concluded with a commanding performance of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, presented by The London Chorus, the New London Orchestra, and the four Australian soloists. The ensemble brought clarity, drama, and profound emotional intensity to Mozart’s final masterpiece, providing a stirring and memorable finale.
This special collaboration not only celebrated outstanding musicianship but also highlighted the impact of the Australian Music Foundation’s work in nurturing Australian artists who continue to excel on the world stage.
Programme
Brahms: Schicksalslied
Andrew Schultz: Piano Concerto, Op. 114 (World Premiere)
Mozart: Requiem
Performers
Rosemary Tuck — Concert Pianist
Alexandra Flood — Soprano
Deborah Humble — Mezzo-Soprano
Brad Cooper — Tenor
Duncan Rock — Baritone
Adrian Brown — Conductor
The London Chorus
New London Orchestra
This concert was dedicated to the memory of the late Ronald Corp, who served as Musical Director of The London Chorus for over 30 years and whose legacy continues to inspire.
