When three’s company

Post Macquarie Trio, she’s still determined to provide great classical music and to surround herself again with a talented ensemble. Kathryn Selby speaks to ROD BENNETT

NORTHBRIDGE pianist Kathryn Selby hasn’t been idle since the disbanding of the Macquarie Trio last year.

She founded, managed and performed in this successful musical ensemble. That association made a huge impact on her and she was ‘‘devastated’’ when it ended. ‘‘It was something I created and managed and it was sad to let that go,’’ she said.

Before the Macquarie Trio, 1988-92, she was the namesake of Selby and Friends, an ensemble with transitional members and worked with a variety of top classical musicians.

She has resurrected Selby and Friends series (five concerts) with an emphasis on a particular trio which Selby described as ‘‘hitting it off’’ both musically and personally.

‘‘We formed for replacement concerts for Macquarie,’’ she said. ‘‘I didn’t know these girls very well before then.’’

‘‘I knew of Emma-Jane Murphy as the former principal cellist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and I’d heard the name of Niki Vasilakis in music circles.’’

So successful were their replacement concerts that the three women began Selby and Friends in a new guise, TrioOz,with a view to doing three concerts in the Selby and Friends series and beyond. Selby revealed that talks were under way about a possible residency.

Another new thing for TrioOz is the venue with this Sunday afternoon series moving to the ‘‘light-filled’’ McQuoin Centre at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney.

‘‘It has good parking and there is a lift from the garage to the venue,’’ she said. ‘‘The acoustics are excellentwith wooden floors - I think it’s going to be great.’’

For the Selby and Friends concerts she will be teaming up with the award-winning Janaki String Trio from the USA. This Californian trio has taken the chamber music world by storm. She will also be playing with Australian cellist Li-Wei for a recital tour in September.

‘‘The common thread in the programs are trios and sonatas by Beethoven,’’ Selby said. ‘‘There will also be a few chamber music favourites by Ravel, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Schumann.’’

The Monte Sant’ Angelo recitals are Sunday, at 2.30pm. The first is on March 25. The college is at the corner of Berry and Miller streets, North Sydney.

The other concert dates are May 13, July 29, September 9 and November 18.

For bookings phone 9969 7039 or click here to email