ANAM: The Alchemy of Alban Berg
Fri, 21st Aug 2026 07:00 pm - 09:00 pm
45
ANAM musicians embark on a performance tracing and uncovering the musical world of Alban Berg — a composer who stood between centuries, traditions and ideas. The program begins with Berg’s Seven Early Songs , a work written in his twenties and steeped in the lush sound world of Mahler and Strauss. The Piano Sonata, op. 1 follows — a compact, restless work that already hints at the intensity and precision of his later style. Berg’s arrangement of Johann Strauss II’s waltz Wein, Weib und Gesäng peels back the glitter of old Vienna to reveal something stranger and more intimate beneath. The concert closes with the Kammerkonzert, op. 8, written for his mentors Schoenberg and Webern. Directed by conductor and violist Roger Benedict, it is in its intricate textures and fierce lyricism that lies the “alchemy” of Berg’s art: the turning of emotion into form, and form back into emotion. Alban BERG Sieben frühe Lieder BERG Piano Sonata, op. 1 Johann STRAUSS II arr. BERG Wein, Weib und Gesäng , op. 333 BERG Kammerkonzert , op. 8 Roger Benedict conductor Timothy Young (Resident Faculty, Head of Piano) piano Sophie Blades (guest) soprano * ANAM Musicians Keep up to date with all the creative happenings at the Abbotsford Convent precinct. Sign up and be the first to hear about upcoming exhibitions, events, and opportunities to support the Convent. Get in touch 03 9415 3600 info@abbotsfordconvent.com.au 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067 Get in touch 365 days a year 7.30am – 10.30pm daily Office open Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm Get in touch 03 9415 3600 info@abbotsfordconvent.com.au 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067 Grounds open 365 days a year 7.30am – 10.30pm daily Wominjeka! Hello! At the Convent we welcome visitors from across the globe – both in-person and digitally. Please note, we use AI to bridge the language gap, so there may be some translation inconsistencies and missed linguistic nuances.
