Homepage of The Paganini Duo, the famous Gypsy Concerts in the Cathedral Chamber at Jenolan Caves - the natural concert hall with the world's purest acoustics, part of the oldest cave system - 340 million years old. Dates - programs - audio & video.
An HOUR in HEAVEN
(To listen click on CD cover)
Traditional Gypsy Music & Free Improvisations
Live Recordings from the Underground Concerts at Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves
An artist's impression of a Jenolan Caves Formation
(Ceramic Lamp by Sian Thomas - for artist's website see above)
BLUE MOUNTAINS GYPSIES
Traditional Gypsy Music
To listen click on CD cover
Old stairs in the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
CLASSICAL GUITAR
Track to the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
The Blue Mountains Trio
(click on CD cover to listen)
Track to the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
Opening of the "Brain Dynamics Unit" at Westmead Hospital with the Paganini Duo
.
Welcome to the Homepage of
THE PAGANINI DUO
and the
CONCERTS IN THE CAVES
inside the
CATHEDRAL CHAMBER
at JENOLAN CAVES
A Blue Mountains World Heritage Venue
Concerts are held in 2012
regularly on every fourth Saturday of the month - 4pm
in four seasonal programs
* Exception: The December Gypsy concert will be on Boxing Day,
2011 Monday 26th Dec 4 pm / 2012 Wednesday 26th Dec 4 pm
(dates below)
Limit per concert are 90 visitors.
Early bookings recommended.
Tickets: $65 / children $38
(From April 2012: $ 70 ($ 40)
BOOKINGS 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 391124 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
(Click on icon)
Private groups can also book their own concerts.
(minimum 20 visitors)After the Concerts Jenolan Caves House offers generously at
6.30pm free Wine & Cheese
for all concert visitors.
A chance to chat with the artists
- and get of our CD's signed to take home -
For your Comfort:There is no need any more to bring a cushion or a chair. Comfortable chairs are now provided in the cave for visitors.
The Cave is naturally rock conditioned at 15 degrees Celsius, warm in winter, cool in summer.
It is recomended to bring a light jumper.
Access:
Access from Sydney is via (a well sign posted) turn off
from the Great Western Highway at Hartley.
Total distance is c 175km from Central Sydney (c 3 hrs), 75km from Katoomba (c 1.15hrs).
From Canberra the new road over Taralga has been sealed and takes visitors in only 3 hours to Jenolan Caves.
To inquire about concerts for private groups
CONTACT: georgcello@hotmail.com
Programs for 2011
- Four Seasonal Programs -
SUMMER PROGRAM - Monday 4pm Dec 26 (Boxing Day 2011)
2012: Sat 4 pm - January 28 & February 25The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
Traditional Hungarian
Deep Sorrow
Traditional Romanian
Bessarabian Girl
Traditional / Mertens
Spanish Romance
Traditional Russian
Two Guitars
Traditional Russian
Black Eyes
J. Ivanovici
Waves of ther Danube (Anniversary Valse)
Traditional Hungarian
Invitation to Dance
Traditional Hungarian / Mertens
Variations on "The River Maros"
J. Brahma
Hungarian Dance No 5
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Tundra
M. Pujol
Palermo
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras No 5
V. Monti
Czardas
Gustaw plays a violin made by Tomasso Balestrieri, Cremona 1740
Georg plays a guitar made by Jayson Elazzi, Sydney 2008For the sheetmusic of:
Czardas, Hungarian Dance No 5, Deep Sorrow, and many more click here:
sheetmuisc
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com |
AUTUMN PROGRAM 2012
Sat 4 pm
March 24, April 28 & May 26The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
Traditional Hungarian / Mertens / Mainerio
My Fiddle is Broken, my Heart is Broken - Gypsy Adagio - Ungaresca
Traditional Hungarian
Raspaschol
E. Granados
Oriental
N. Paganini
Centone di Sonata I, Rondo
B. Fomin
Dorogoi Dlinnoyu / Those were the Days
Traditional Hungarian
Szureti Dance
J. Brahma
Hungarian Dance No 4
Traditional Romanian
Whistling Hora
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Transylvanian Mood
W. Russ-Bovelino
Hungarian Fantasy
M. Rodriguez
La Cumparsita
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras No 5
V. Monti
Czardas
Gustaw plays a violin made by Tomasso Balestrieri, Cremona 1740
Georg plays a guitar made by Jayson Elazzi, Sydney 2008.
For the sheetmusic of:
Czardas, Hungarian Dance No 5, Hungarian Fantasy, Deep Sorrow, Hundred Kisses, My Fiddle is broken and many more click here:
sheetmuisc
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com |
WINTER PROGRAM 2012
Sat 4pm
June 23, July 28 & August 25The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
Traditional Hungarian
The Old Gypsy
Traditional Hungarian
A Hundred Kisses I steal from you
Traditional Hungarian
Your Blue Eyes are Stunning
Traditional Romanian
Mezosegi Hora
N. Paganini
Centone di Sonata I, Largo & Allegro
Traditional Russian
Kalinka
Traditional Russian
Black Eyes
B. Kela
Son of Puszta
Traditional Hungarian
Abandoned
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Bilbao
Traditional Peruvian
El Condor Pasa
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras No 5
V. Monti
Czardas
Gustaw plays a violin made by Tomasso Balestrieri, Cremona 1740
Georg plays a guitar made by Jayson Elazzi, Sydney 2008.
For the sheetmusic of:
Czardas, Hungarian Dance No 5, Hungarian Fantasy, Deep Sorrow, Hundred Kisses, My Fiddle is broken and many more click here:
sheetmuisc
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com |
SPRING PROGRAM 2012
Sat 4 pm
September 22, October 27, November 24The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
Traditional Hungarian
Lavotta
Traditional Romanian
Hora from Bucovina
N. Paganini
Cantabile
Traditional Russian
Black Eyes
Traditional Hungarian
The Basso
P. Sarasate
Gypsy Air - Andante from Zigeunerweisen
Traditional Yiddish
Havana Gila
W. Russ-Bovelino
Hungarian Fantasy
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Moldavian Nights
M. Rodriguez
La Cumparsita
A. Piazzolla
Milonga del Angel
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasileiras No 5
V. Monti
Czardas
Gustaw plays a violin made by Tomasso Balestrieri, Cremona 1740
Georg plays a guitar made by Jayson Elazzi, Sydney 2008For the sheetmusic of:
Czardas, Hungarian Dance No 5, Hungarian Fantasy, Deep Sorrow, Hundred Kisses, My Fiddle is broken and many more click here:
sheetmuisc
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com |
SUMMER PROGRAM 2012 / 2013
Wednesday 26 December (Boxing Day)
Sat 4 pm Jan 26 & Feb 23The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
Traditional Hungarian
Deep Sorrow
Traditional Romanian
Bessarabian Girl
Traditional / Mertens
Spanish Romance
Traditional Russian
Two Guitars
Traditional Russian
Black Eyes
J. Ivanovici
Waves of ther Danube (Anniversary Valse)
Traditional Hungarian
Invitation to Dance
Traditional Hungarian / Mertens
Variations on "The River Maros"
J. Brahma
Hungarian Dance No 5
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Tundra
M. Pujol
Palermo
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras No 5
V. Monti
Czardas
Gustaw plays a violin made by Tomasso Balestrieri, Cremona 1740
Georg plays a guitar made by Jayson Elazzi, Sydney 2008For the sheetmusic of:
Czardas, Hungarian Dance No 5, Deep Sorrow, and many more click here:
sheetmuisc
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com |
About the compositions:
Our music are arrangements of popular Gypsy tunes and dances. Gypsy or Roma music is also known as Romani music or Zigeunermusik.
It includes tunes and dances from Hungary, Romania, Russia and Spain. The Romani people travelled throuth countries from India passing Eastern Europe, North Africa to Spain. Their music is influenced by the cultures they lived in and passed through. We found the most typical elements the frequent speed changes - from slow to fast - and their all over sense of melodies which speak directly to ones heart, and not seldom of a sad character.A comment should also be made to the "Underground Improvisations". These are free improvisations. We have a tradition that we agree upon, who starts and what will be the last note. Everything else is left to chance - luck and accident. For us it is an adrenalin journey into the unknown, enjoying total spontaneity. Every time it turns out completely different. People don't believe there is no preconceived structure, but there isn't. We know each other well and we never practice the improvisation; we hardly even talk about it - it would take the pepper and salt out of it. We need the audience as a stimulant to make it work.
ABOUT THE PAGANINI DUO
Gustaw Szelski - violin
Georg Mertens - guitar
The PAGANINI DUO was formed by chance in 1989 when Georg visited the Blue Mountains and filled in for an accompanier of Gustaw.
The fusion worked extremely well; Georg then joined Gustaw's Winbourne String Quartet, replacing the cellist being overseas and formed upon his return the Tarantella Trio, which played for more than a thousand functions and weddings in NSW.
Soon Gustaw and Georg started to play also as a Duo with a focus on Gypsy Music with a shift from entertainment to concert performances.
The Paganini Duo did several interstate tours and a South East Asia tour in 1999.
Their monthly concerts at Jenolan Caves commenced in January 2003.
In 1996 they recorded their first CD "BLUE MOUNTAINS GYPSIES".
In 1997 Gustaw and Georg formed the Blue Mountains Trio together with pianist Gavin Tipping and recorded their successful CD "MUSIC for GRAND DINING".
From 2004 - 2007 the Paganini Duo recorded many of their concerts in the Cathedral Chamber. The most exciting of these Live recordings have been released on CD in 2007 on their album "An Hour in Heaven".
As EntertainersGeorg and Gustaw performed - to mention a few - at the Sydney Opera House, The Gulgong Opera House, The Stockman's Hall of Fame (Longreach), The Seymore Centre, Intercontinetal Hotel, Ritz Carlton Double Bay, Hilton, Ibis, Mercure, Fairmont, Hydro Majestic, Holiday Inn, played for Ford, Holden, Mazda, Hyundai, Jaguar, wine releases, medical conferences etc.
They played for more than 1000 weddings including of the musicians Roger Woodward, Stephen Fisher-King, actor Jason Donavon, broadcaster Natarsha Belling and to the 50th birthday of singer Doug Parkinson.
Broadcasts include 'The Great Outdoors', 'Sydney Weekender', 'Beyond 2000', 'Good Morning Australia', FRESH and many radio stations including the ABC.
Musical Training
Violinist GUSTAW JOSEPH SZELSKI is of Polish/Hungarian background and was brought up on a diet of Gypsy music.
His early music education however was strictly that of a Classical musician. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (DSCM performance) and subsequently became leader of the Lyric Quartet and the Sydney University String Quartet.
He then freelanced including backing artists like Shirley Bassey, Rita Hunter, John Denver and Frank Sinatra.
He later formed the Winbourne string quartett and was active in the 31 Note music movement working closely together with the founder Bill Coates.GEORG MERTENS studied guitar with Prof. Anton Stingl in Freiburg / Germany. He gave more than a 100 concerts in Europe. In 1983 he recorded a LP with Classical guitar solos (Luneburg).
In Australia he recorded the “Blue Cassette” (1990) and in 2001 the CD “Classical guitar – re issued”.
Besides giving concerts Georg teaches privately cello and Classical guitar in Katoomba / Blue Mountains.
Several scores of the performances have been arranged by Georg and are available on the webpage:
The Paganini Duo:
Gustaw Szelski - violin / Georg Mertens - guitar
(Photo courtesy of Michael Small from Kumbaya Studios, Leura - Collage assembly by Jenny Reid from Berkojoey, Sydney)
CONTACT :
Joining our email list -
Bookings & enquiries
georgcello@hotmail.comPrivate Bookings / tuition
ph 02 4782 5440Concert Bookings:
ph. 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 3911 then dial 2
NOW ALSO:
24 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
- Click on icon for:
For Cave Tours visit the website:
jenolancaves.org.auOn site Accomodation:
Jenolan Caves House
ph 02 6359 3322
www.jenolancaveshouse.com.auBlue Mountains Accomodation:
Hideaway Retreat - Wentworth Falls Bushland
ph 02 4757 3812
www.hideawayretreat.com.au
For more cultural Events in the Jenolan / Bathurst area click here on the site of the:
Bathurst Arts Council
The Concert Venue at Jenolan Caves
( photo courtesy of Michael Small from Kumbaya Photos, Leura )
Why going into the Cathedral Chamber for Concerts?
This particular Chamber is famous for its perfect acoustics (the world's clearest and purest) and is also stunningly beautiful.
If you have friends interested in sound or music and happen to be in the larger area of Sydney / NSW, don't miss the opportunity to visit a concert.
This particular acoustics has an extraordinary and unforgettable impact.
The 10 min walk into this cave is trly worth it.Inside the Cave is total silence - no noise of cars and plains, no airconditioning hums, no door noises,
not even the sound of wind.
Be transported back - just for an hour - into a much simpler and purer world (mobile phones don't work here) - sharing the unamplified sound of the cello or fiery Gypsy Music.In difference to most concert halls,
the distance to the performer is only 3-12 meters.It never rains in the Cave, if hot or cold outside,
inside the Cave it's always 15 Degrees
No weather forecast is necessary to plan visiting a Concert in the Cave.(the access to the Cathedral Chamber is c 10 min. and includes some flights of stairs - bring a light jumper)
Private Concerts in the Cave
- your choice of music / favourites from the programs -
(optional: Cathedral Chamber or Temple of Baal)To stage a private Concert in the Cave has turned into the favourite event for special occasions - anniversary, birthday, also favoured by international / interstate visitor groups - one of the most unique experiences to offer to friends and colleges.
The minimum number for a Private Concert is 20 visitors.
On weekdays we offer a 10% discount for groups from 30-40 visitors and 20% discount for groups of more than 40 visitors. Maximum number is 90.
A private group may facilitate also a guest speaker or a translator (FOC).
Time by arrangement.
-
Private concerts can be arranged on all days except Saturdays dependent on availability of the performers and the Cave visitation.
Meals, Wine & Cheese, accommodation at Jenolan Caves House can be arranged matching your time table.
| To inquire about private functions / regional concerts CONTACT : georgcello@hotmail.com or ph 02 4782 5440 |
The 'Organ Pipes' in the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
The East side in the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
Relaxing on the old steps
(photo courtesy of Rob Whyte)
That's how it started.....
The temperature in the Cave is always 15 degrees,
cool in summer, warm in winter, for thousands of years - that's why early humans loved caves.
(photo courtesy of Rob Whyte)
A Wedding in the Blue Mountains with the Paganini Duo
( photo George Winston)