Mimir Chamber Music Festival returns to Melbourne

Kristian Chong and Curt Thompson
Kristian Chong, pianist, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (left) and Curt Thompson, Associate Professor of Violin and Head of Strings at the MCM (right)

Fresh from its 19th season in Fort Worth, Texas, the Mimir Chamber Music Festival will return to the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music for the fourth time from 29 August to 4 September 2016.

Mimir has been named a 'Top 10 Musical Event of the Year' by the Dallas Morning News eight times in a row.

During the week-long festival, Mimir artists will present four public performances and guide students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and across the city through masterclasses, coaching and demonstrations.

Named after the Norse god of wisdom, Mimir was founded in 1998 by Dr Curt Thompson, now Associate Professor of Violin and Head of Strings at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM).

“Our mission is to present chamber music of the highest international standard, and to offer an educational opportunity to aspiring pre-professional musicians of an equally high calibre,” Dr Thompson said.

“The University of Melbourne has embraced Mimir for its fourth Australian season, enabling the festival to present performances of an internationally recognised standard.”

This year’s guests are Jun Iwasaki, Concertmaster of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Rose, Principal Second Violinist with The Cleveland Orchestra, Curt Thompson, Head of Strings at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Joan DerHovsepian, Associate Principal Violist with the Houston Symphony and Brant Taylor, cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as top local pianists Kristian Chong and Benjamin Martin from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Director Gary McPherson welcomed the 2016 festival.

“Our pre-professional student musicians in Melbourne benefit hugely from the unique educational opportunities of the Mimir Chamber Music Festival. We are delighted to once again have such renowned US artists imparting their experience and knowledge,” Professor McPherson said.