PSO 2010 Soloists
Daniel Herscovitch | piano
Daniel Herscovitch is a concert pianist and recording artist whose repertoire ranges from Bach to Carter. He is a lecturer in piano and coordinator of postgraduate performance students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he also teaches piano pedagogy and chamber music.Following studies at the Sydney Conservatorium and at the Musikhochschule in Munich, Daniel was based in Germany for 12 years, performing extensively throughout Europe and beyond. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, has toured for Musica Viva and has performed in the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide festivals. He is currently preparing for a series of concerts and master classes in the USA.
Daniel has recorded solo and two-piano repertoire as well as chamber music for labels including ABC Classics, CSM, Tall Poppies and Continuum.
Helen Barnett | soprano
Born and raised on a farm at Narromine in central western NSW, Helen Barnett completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and earned a Fellowship in Music from the AMEB.Helen has been a winner or finalist in many Australian vocal competitions, and in 2008 received a National Council of Women Australia Day Award for her achievements as a student and performer of Music.
Helen has performed extensively throughout Sydney and regional NSW as a soloist in recitals, opera, oratorio and musical theatre. She has sung with the Opera Australia chorus and the coro piccolo of the Australian Ballet, and performs annually at Belgravia Vineyards Opera in the Vines, part of Orange’s FOOD Week program.
In 2008 Helen was featured in a recital for Rising Stars on ABC Classic FM, and in 2009 released her debut solo CD, Homeward Road, with accompanist David Miller.
Celia Craig | oboe
Celia Craig is one of the leading oboists and cor anglais players of her generation. Trained at the Purcell School for Musicians and at the Royal Academy of Music, London, she was formerly principal oboe and concerto soloist for the London Chamber Players, and a principal member and Chair of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.Celia has toured and broadcast worldwide, and has appeared as a cor anglais soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican and on live television at the Royal Albert Hall. Critics describe her playing as “eloquent” and “wonderful” and her debut recording for Chandos, conducted by Richard Hickox, was selected as Editor’s Choice by Gramophone magazine.
Since settling in Australia in 2006, Celia has played with the Australia Ensemble, the Sydney Soloists and most of the orchestras in Australia and New Zealand. She has also formed an oboe quartet, Sound Academy, and gives recitals with organist Amy Johansen.