Whilst we're on summer break and our performances are paused, check out some recent recordings by our talented ANAM alumni, released throughout 2025.
KATIE YAP multitudes
Released Nov 2025, VDB Records
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Led by violist Katie Yap, multitudes brings together six of Australia’s most exciting musicians in a recording capturing four new works, each based on one of Judith Wright’s exquisite bird poems. Each work celebrates a juxtaposition - old/new; human/nature; Chinese/Australian; and folk/classical.
Performers:
Katie Yap (viola 2014)
Donald Nicolson (harpsichord)
Simone Slattery (violin 2011)
Anthony Albrecht (cello)
Mindy Meng Wang (guzheng)
Emily Sheppard (violin 2013)
PAUL NICOLAOU προχωρώ (prochoró)
Released Nov 2025, ABC Classics
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World premiere recording of Nicolaou's trio προχωρώ (meaning to proceed, progress, move on, advance). Nicolaou draws on a striking palette of musical timbres: the deep resonant tones of the bassoon, the shimmering textures of the harp and the soaring lyricism of the violin. This work, says Nicolaou, is both a personal and societal expression of the nature of forward-motion: ‘Through growth and embrace of my authentic self, I gained happiness, confidence, and individuality. However, this progression was not without a cost – faith, identity, dignity and much more. This great loss comes with an ongoing state of mourning, and a lifelong journey of acceptance.’
Performers:
Alexandra Osborne (violin 2000)
Matthew Kneale (bassoon 2013)
Louisic Dulbecco (harp)
HOMEGROWN: Artsong by Australian Women
Released Nov 2025, Move Records
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Themes of nature, motherhood and deep spiritual connection to place pervade this collection of Australian artsong by female composers, performed by soprano Rebecca Cassidy and pianist Alex Raineri. Features world premiere recordings of works by Dulcie Holland, Melody Eötvös, Lisa Cheney, Mary Mageau and Deborah Cheetham Fraillon.
Performers:
Rebecca Cassidy (soprano)
Alex Raineri (piano 2015)
CHOPIN Etudes
Released Oct 2025, ABC Classics
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Australian-British pianist Jayson Gillham turns his artistry to the Etudes of Chopin: music written to take pianists to the extremes of virtuosity while enchanting listeners with their beauty, elegance and tunefulness. On this landmark album Jayson performs all 27 of these brilliant and captivating pieces, plus the stirring and passionate ‘Heroic’ Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53.
Performer:
Jayson Gillham (piano 2003)
POSTCARDS FROM UKRAINE: Vol. 2, Chamber Music
Released Oct 2025, Toccata Classics
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In this second instalment of Ukrainian music brought to life by Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko, four representative chamber works demonstrate how quickly music in Ukraine developed its own identity – despite all four composers having to contend with repression by the authoritarian regime.
Performers:
Markiyan Melnychenko (violin 2008)
Josephine Vains (cello 1998)
Peter de Jager (piano 2008)
Stewart Kelly (piano 2013)
LIZA LIM String Creatures
Released Sep 2025, NMC Recordings
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This album of new works by Australian composer Liza Lim features the JACK Quartet performing the title work String Creatures, and other works for solo instruments. The five movements of Lim's The Table of Knowledge are brought to life by ELISION Ensemble's Rohan Dasika, modifying his double bass with thread and using his own voice to evoke the traditional hallucinogenic ‘witches’ flying ointment.
Performers:
Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman (violin)
John Pickford Richards (viola)
Jay Campbell (cello)
Rohan Dasika (double bass 2014)
EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER LIVED Lotte Betts-Dean and Dimitris Soukaras
Released Sep 2025, Delphian Records
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Lotte Betts-Dean has wowed critics with her ethereal, ‘starkly beautiful’ voice. Here, she teams up with outstanding Greek guitarist Dimitris Soukaras in their first duo album, as they present a terrific array of songs exploring ideas of nostalgia, childhood memory and the state between waking and sleep.
Performers:
Lotte Betts-Dean (fellow 2014)
Dimitris Soukaras (guitar)
BENAUD TRIO Oblivion
Released Jul 2025, De la Catessen Records
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Benaud Trio celebrate their 20th anniversary year with the release of Oblivion on De la Catessen Records. Oblivion is their sixth studio album since bursting into our lives in 2005 with the irresistible fusion of playfulness and professionalism that has characterised their career.
Performers:
Lachlan Bramble (violin)
Ewen Bramble (cello)
Amir Farid (piano 2005)
POSTCARDS FROM UKRAINE: Vol. 1, Violin Miniatures
Released May 2025, Toccata Classics
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In this first of a series of Postcards from Ukraine, the Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko presents a programme of largely unknown miniatures for violin and piano, all based on, or inspired by, that folk-culture. Alternately sparkling and soulful, these violin showpieces make the case for a more thorough examination of the riches still to be discovered in Ukraine’s musical heritage.
Performers:
Markiyan Melnychenko (violin 2008)
Peter de Jager (piano 2008)
SERAPHIM TRIO Radiante
Released May 2025, ABC Classics
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Seraphim Trio’s album Radiante celebrates the music of four female composers across 160 years of history, right up to the present day: Germaine Tailleferre, the only female member of the groundbreaking French composers circle ‘Les Six’; Clara Schumann, who sidelined her own creative talent to make room for that of her husband Robert Schumann; the Croatian countess Dora Pejačević, who turned her back on a life of privilege to dedicate herself to music; and a world premiere from rising Australian star Elizabeth Younan.
Performers:
Helen Ayres (violin 2000)
Timothy Nankervis (cello 2000)
Anna Goldsworthy (piano 1999)
with Stephen King (viola)
ANDREA LAM Piano Diary
Released May 2025, ABC Classics
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WINNER: 2025 ARIA Awards - Best Classical Album
With this deeply personal selection of piano favourites, Australian pianist Andrea Lam shares the music that means the most to her, from the sublime beauty of Bach and Chopin to the spectacular fireworks of contemporary composers and mellow Gershwin favourites.
Performer:
Andrea Lam (piano 2000)
CYRUS MEURANT The Crossing of the Sea
Released Apr 2025, ABC Classics
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The Crossing of a Sea honours the life of Steven Alward: arts patron, ABC news chief and champion of ethical journalism. This world premiere recording is performed by Syzygy Ensemble, one of the finest new music ensembles in Australia, lauded for their virtuoso precision, original programming, and the ability to connect viscerally with their audiences.
Performers:
Laila Engle (flute)
Robin Henry (clarinet)
Zoë Black (violin, ANAM Faculty)
Campbell Banks (cello)
Leigh Harrold (piano 2004, ANAM Faculty)
CRUX DUO My Place
Released Jan 2025, ABC Classics
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Multifaceted keyboardist Lisa Moore and virtuoso clarinetist Lloyd Van’t Hoff have joined forces to form Crux Duo, a musical project exploring new works alongside traditional and modern classics. Their debut album My Place brings together music from Australia and America, including six world premiere recordings plus Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Clarinet Sonata.
Performers:
Lloyd van't Hoff (clarinet 2014)
Lisa Moore (piano)
ANAM alumni - have you released an album or recording in 2025 not listed here? Contact us at alumni@anam.com.au so we can share your work!
Compiled by Laura Panther, ANAM Alumni Manager