Great Talks with Graham Abbott: Slava & Sharon Grigoryan, Our Place

Melbourne Recital Centre Podcasts

Now in its 10th season, Melbourne Recital Centre’s Great Performers series presents great artists giving extraordinary performances of compelling classical, bold and cutting-edge repertoire in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. This year, the Centre has partnered with renowned presenter/producer and conductor Graham Abbott to create the Great Talks podcast – an audio companion to each concert in the 2021 Great Performers series. Part pre-concert talk, part deep-dive into the music, artists and program curated for each concert, these podcasts are designed enhance the concert experience for music-lovers for all ages and levels of music knowledge. In their upcoming concert, one of Australia’s favourite musical couples Slava and Sharon Grigoryan play their favourite pieces of music, performing selections from their album Our Place and works that have meant the most in their lives including those written by their heroes and peers. In this episode, Graham delves into the program for Our Place including Vivaldi, Ravel, Arvo Pärt, Enrique Granados and more. More about Graham Abbott: Graham Abbott has been Conductor-in-Residence at the Elder Conservatorium of Music Adelaide, Musical Director of Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Musical Director of Melbourne Chorale, and Guest Chorus Master for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He is a frequent guest conductor with the major Australian orchestras and opera companies, leading choral societies and numerous new and early music ensembles. Graham is also a respected speaker and broadcaster and was producer and presenter of the highly successful Keys To Music series on ABC Classic FM from 2003 – 2017. In 2021 Graham will return to the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Oriana Choir and conduct The Barber of Seville for State Opera South Australia. Graham will also lead tours for Hayllar Music Tours, including to the Bendigo Chamber Music and Adelaide Festivals, and host perfomances at the Four Winds Easter Festival, Bermagui.