An HOUR in HEAVEN
(To listen click on CD cover)
Traditional Gypsy Music & Free Improvisations
Live Recordings from the Underground Concerts at Jenolan Caves
Track to the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
BLUE MOUNTAINS GYPSIES
Traditional Gypsy Music
To listen click on CD cover
Old stairs in the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
CLASSICAL GUITAR
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
.
Welome 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 2010
regularly every third Saturday of the month - 4pm
in four seasonal programs
(dates below)
Limit per concert are 75 visitors.
Early bookings recommended.
Tickets: $60 / children $35
BOOKINGS 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 3911NOW ALSO:
24 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
- Click on icon for:
gypsy concerts
Private groups can also book additional concerts at other times.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
- all CD's are on display and for sale -
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 (click here): georgcello@hotmail.com
Programs for 2010
Four Seasonal Programs
The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
SUMMER PROGRAM - Sat 4pm - Jan 23 / Feb 27 / Mar 27
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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
The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
AUTUMN PROGRAM - Sat 4pm - Apr 24 / May 22 / Jun 26
Traditional Hungarian
Deep sorrow
W. Russ-Bovelino
Hungarian Fantasy
A. Piazzolla
Milonga del Angel
N. Paganini
Cenyone di Sonata I, Largo & Allegro
P. de Rarasate
Andante from Zigeunerweisen
J. Brahms
Hungarian Dance No 5
E Granados
Oriental
Traditional Ukrainian
Hora from Bucovina
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Moldavian Nights
Traditional Hungarian
The Basso
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras
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
The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
WINTER PROGRAM - Sat 4pm - Jul 24 / Aug 28 / Sep 25
G.Mertens
Variations on: My Fiddle is Broken, my Heart is Broken
Don G. Mainerio
Ungaresca
A. Piazzolla
Milonga del Angel
Traditional Romanian
Kamnes
V. Young
Golden Earrings
Anonymus / Mertens
Spanish Romance (Duo)
Traditional Transilvanian
Mezoesegi Hora
Traditional Romanian
Sinai Hora
Traditional Hungarian
Abandoned
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Transilvanian Mood
Traditional Romanian
Bessarabian Girl
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras
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
The Paganini Duo plays Gypsy Favourites from Hungary, Russia, Romania and Duos for violin and guitar from Spain and South America
SPRING PROGRAM - Sat 4pm - Oct 23 / Nov 27 / Sun. Dec 26
.
Traditional Hungarian
If you love me Never leave me
Traditional Hungarian
Your blue Eyes are stunning
J. Ivanovici
Waves of ther Danube (Anniversary Valse)
Traditional Romanian
Bessarabian Girl
Traditional Hungarian
Szuereti Dance
Traditional Hungarian
A Hundred Kisses I steal from you
Kela Bela
Son of Puszta
Traditional Russian
Black Eyes
Traditional Hungarian
Deep Sorrow
G. Szelski / G. Mertens
Tundra
M. Rodriguez
La Cumparsita
H. Villa-Lobos
Bachianas Brasilieras
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 (click here): 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. CD "MUSIC for GRAND DINING" (see left) .
From 2004 - 2007 they 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 a Duo or Trio they 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.
Broadcasts include 'The Great Outdoors', 'Sydney Weekender', 'Beyond 2000', 'Good Morning Australia', FRESH and many radio stations including the ABC.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”
Several scores of the performances have been arranged by Georg Mertens and are available on this website.
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
(click here on:)
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.auFor 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 )
The Concerts in the Cathedral Chamber
Forget the outside world, the stress!
Take a step to relax!
Walk for 10 minutes some steps up and down into the mountain.
Deep in the mountain opens up a grand museum, 54m (150 feet) high.
Beautiful formations, the Cathedral Chamber,
closed from the outer world offering peace and silence combined with visual beauty.
We are transported back - just for an hour - into a much simpler and purer world sharing the mellow sounds of the traditional Gypsy music for violin & guitar.
The Cathedral Chamber is an extraordinary inspiring space, not only stunningly beautiful, but also reputed for its perfect acoustics, the world's finest.
The Concerts in the Cave allow us to side step from our normal speedy, noisy and stressful environment and invite us to sit back.In difference to most concert halls,
the distance to the performer is only 3-12 meters.
Also you have no problems hearing clearly:
the acoustic is so brilliant, you hear everywhere as if you sit just in front of the performer.No car, plane or any artificial noise from our high tech environment enters this space, not even the sound of wind, mobile phones don't work here.
It never rains in the Cave,
if hot or cold outside,
in the Cave it's always 15 Degrees
(bring a light jumper)
No weather forecast is necessary to plan visiting a Concert in the Cave.
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.....
Tuning in the dark
( photo courtesy of Sam Mertens)
Gustaw: "The lacker of my violin is starting to melt"
Georg: 'That's why I stepped back " -
Actually, 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)