Omega Ensemble: Rare Sugar

Drawing inspiration from a childhood obsession listening to the improvisations of legendary clarinettist Benny Goodman, Nigel Westlake’s “Rare Sugar” unleashes the clarinet’s joyful quality, with whimsical character, surprising virtuosity and a delightful blend of classical and jazz influences.

This foot-tapping season finale also includes Béla Bartók’s “Contrasts” for clarinet, violin and piano — written for Benny Goodman himself — which blends Hungarian folk songs with modern harmonies and rhythmic complexity, showcasing the composer’s innovative approaches to style and musical dialogue.

An exciting new Australian voice, Ella Macens is quickly claiming her place as one the most accomplished composers of her generation. Drawing upon elements of her Latvian heritage, Macens’ first work for Omega Ensemble fuses popular music with a classical tradition in a captivating, deeply evocative and sensitive aesthetic.