Clarinetist Jared Mundell and Australian composer/pianist Margaret Brandman present an hour of music featuring memorable melodies and engaging rhythms, including the world premiere of Brandman’s La Vida Apasionada suite for clarinet and piano.
An Evening of Musical Conversation
The soft murmur of anticipation drifts through Recital Hall West at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Outside, the city hums with evening traffic, but inside, the hall feels hushed, a space suspended between expectation and revelation. The audience settles into the quiet intimacy that only a chamber music performance can create.
Here, clarinetist Jared L.S. Mundell and composer-pianist Margaret S.C. Brandman present an hour-long program of memorable melodies and engaging rhythms, exploring a musical landscape that bridges classical traditions, jazz influences, and beloved standards.
Mundell Brandman Duo: Bridging Styles and Eras
The program features the world premiere of Brandman’s La Vida Apasionada, an eight-movement suite reimagined for clarinet and piano. Each movement reflects vibrant Latin influences and expressive melodic writing, creating a dialogue between the soaring clarinet and the rich textures of the piano.
Mundell’s clarinet moves fluidly between lyrical warmth and energetic rhythmic lines, while Brandman’s piano accompaniment shapes the harmonic landscape with sensitivity and precision. Together they create a musical partnership that is both expressive and engaging.
From Bach to Jazz
The concert also includes German conductor and composer Claus Ogerman’s jazz-inspired arrangement of Bach’s Valse. Here, classical elegance blends with jazz harmony, offering a fresh interpretation that bridges centuries of musical style.
The performance highlights the duo’s ability to move seamlessly between genres while maintaining the intimacy and communication that define chamber music.
The Great American Songbook
Selections from the Great American Songbook and the Golden Age of film complete the program, including beloved melodies such as As Time Goes By, Mame, and When You Wish Upon a Star. These timeless works provide moments of nostalgia, storytelling, and expressive interpretation.
A Special Opportunity for Students and Music Lovers
This event is particularly valuable for high school music students and teachers interested in experiencing contemporary Australian compositions suitable for HSC examinations. Margaret Brandman’s works appear on recommended performance lists for HSC, AMEB, and AGMS examinations and are regularly broadcast on ABC Classic FM and international radio stations.
Ticket Wombat ticket holders will also be invited to meet the performers after the concert and receive a complimentary CD featuring Margaret Brandman’s compositions.
About the Performers
Margaret Brandman is an internationally renowned, award-winning composer whose works have been performed in Australia, London, and at Carnegie Hall in New York. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is also an accomplished pianist, recording artist, educator, arranger, and music publisher.
Jared L.S. Mundell is a highly awarded graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He studied in the United States and freelanced in San Francisco, performing with local and international artists including the Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet. His performance highlights include concerts with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, appearances at the Sydney Opera House, and broadcasts on Fine Music FM and ABC Classic FM.
Event Details
Event: Mundell Brandman Duo
Date & Time: Thursday, 16 April 2026, 7:30 PM
Venue: Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Program Highlights:
- La Vida Apasionada – Margaret Brandman
- Valse from Bach’s Sonata No.2 in E-flat – Claus Ogerman
- As Time Goes By – Herman Hupfeld (arr. Brandman)
- Mame – Jerry Herman (arr. Brandman)
- When You Wish Upon a Star – Leigh Harline & Ned Washington
Performers: Jared L.S. Mundell (clarinet), Margaret S.C. Brandman (piano)
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes, no interval
Tickets & Registration: Please register or book tickets through the Sydney Conservatorium box office: Book via the Conservatorium Box Office .