Alumni ensemble Arcadia Winds are proud to perform alongside ANAM’s Artistic Director Paavali Jumppanen in upcoming performances in Autumn 2025.
The wind quintet, formed whilst they were musicians at ANAM, have faced many challenges during their 12-year existence, including geographical distance between members, juggling performances with the demands of a young family, major orchestral and teaching commitments, and ongoing health concerns, but their shared artistic vision and friendship have kept the ensemble united in their vision for excellence. Members Lloyd van’t Hoff (clarinet 2014), Matthew Kneale (bassoon 2013) and Rachel Shaw (horn 2013) are joined by Rachel Bullen (oboe 1997) and Laila Engle whilst founding members David Reichelt (oboe 2015) and Kiran Phatak (flute 2013) are on sabbatical for these upcoming performances.
During their time at ANAM, the founding members of Arcadia Winds worked with first-time ANAM visiting artist, Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen on a set of three programs of works by Mozart and Beethoven in 2013. A particular highlight was the Beethoven double-piano concerto – Paavali performed as co-soloist with Gladys Chua (piano 2013) – with the ANAM Orchestra. The whole residency clearly struck a chord with these musicians, who have since continued to perform with Paavali in multiple programs over the following decade, during his subsequent visits to Australia and throughout his Artistic Directorship at ANAM.
Since forming in late 2013, Arcadia Winds have championed fresh interpretations of well-known works, with reimagined arrangements for the diverse sound-palate of the wind quintet. They also continuously strive to build upon the body of Australian works for chamber wind ensemble.
After a highly successful concert series with Paavali in 2024, they return to perform in a mini-residency at Monash University next month; a program which includes Poulenc’s Sextet for winds and piano, an arrangement of Ravel’s iconic La Valse by Molly Turner, and Beethoven’s Quintet for winds and piano op. 16, which was inspired by Mozart’s Quintet K.452, also in the key of E-flat. The program showcases Paavali’s great pianistic capabilities but also his sensitivity as a chamber musician.
The Ravel is a particular highlight for bassoonist Matthew Kneale. “La Valse really puts Arcadia’s musicians to the fore, highlighting our virtuosity as orchestral players as well as chamber musicians. We’ve come to love the work, since being introduced to [American composer and conductor] Molly Turner through Lloyd’s time at studying and teaching at Yale School of Music. It’s a fascinating arrangement that really communicates the breakdown of tradition in the aftermath of the First World War, and still resonates with us today, over a century later.”
Paavali also appears with Rachel and Matthew in two intimate performances in regional Victoria: the Yarragon Studio, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, and with Macedon Music, a picturesque hour's drive north-west of Melbourne. Here, audiences will hear trios by Grammy-nominated composer and flautist Valerie Coleman, fellow American trailblazer Amy Beach, and Poulenc’s masterful Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano.
I ask Matthew about what other activities Arcadia Winds have in the pipeline. “Loads!” he answers with his signature enthusiasm. “I can’t say too much, but we will be touring regional NSW with a contemporary program, which includes Australian composers Anne Cawrse and Holly Harrison. And we’re very excited to premiere a new commission by Lachlan Skipworth made possible by the generous support of Geoff Stern. This new work is scored for sextet (piano plus wind quintet), and we’ll premiere it with Paavali in December 2025. Watch this space!”
Indeed, the future of Australian wind chamber music is in good hands with enthusiastic advocates such as Arcadia Winds. We trust that their impact and legacy on Australian wind music will continue for decades to come.
Upcoming Performances
Paavali Jumppanen with Rachel Bullen and Matthew Kneale
Sat 29 Mar, 3pm
Yarragon Studio, 515 Yarragon South Road, Yarragon South VIC
https://www.yarragonstudio.com.au/concert-3
Sun 30 Mar, 2.30pm
Lowland Farm, 70 Broughton Road, Mt Macedon VIC
https://www.macedonmusic.com
Arcadia Winds with Paavali Jumppanen
Sun 6 Apr, 3pm
The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Monash University, Clayton VIC
https://www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/arcadia-winds-paavali-jumppanen/
For more information about Arcadia Winds and their upcoming performances visit arcadiawinds.com
Words by Laura Panther, Senior Alumni Coordinator
Image Credit: Arcadia Winds - Cameron Jamieson