b'3MUSICIANSMEET Audrey Journal journalist Harriet Cunningham interviewed 3 classical musicians who will be performing at Riverside during Spring.PART1 : LISA STEWART: BE BRAVE AND BOLDLisa Stewart has travelled the world playing the violin, but now her homeNow, as leader of the Acacia Quartet, Lisa not only plays the music of is in Orange. And she loves it.the great composers such as Beethoven and Schumann, but also works We moved here first day of February. We came to say hello andwith living composers, commissioning and collaborating in new work. Its everyone was so friendly. deeply fulfilling but not, she admits, the easy option. Lisa began the violin at an early age and by the time she was 11 sheWhile orchestral musicians have a regular salary and paid leave, most was already performing internationally and winning competitions.chamber musicians must take the precarious path of freelancing. All four members of the Acacia Quartet choose to live outside Sydney, partly for An ABC Young Performers scholarship took her to study in Germanythe lifestyle, but also because of high rents in the city. Then there is the in 1988 and over the next decade she performed as a soloist withconstant travelling, and the pressure of performing in the spotlight. orchestras across Europe, was guest concertmaster of the LondonThe Acacia Quartet is resident at the Orange Conservatorium of Music Philharmonic, lead the Cologne Chamber Orchestra and was a memberand, when shes not touring, Lisa gives lessons to individuals and of the Beethoven Orchestra in Bonn.groups of all ages. And besides music, Lisa is an accomplished artist Then, in 2001, she made the decision to return to Australia with herwho trained at the National Art School. The whimsical drawings with German partner, viola-player Stefan Duwe.which she entertained her colleagues through long rehearsals have We used to say we could stay in Germany for the money, go to Londonnow become another part of her career, as an illustrator in demand for for the high-flying career, or go back to Australia for the lifestyle. Thechildrens books. lifestyle won. I find the illustrating just makes me calm. I needed another emotional Lisa now spends much of her time touring with her own ensemble, theoutlet and I think I needed a challenge too.Acacia Quartet. Its a long way from the big cities and bright lights ofIn spite of the challenges, Lisa has embraced life in a string quartet. Europe, but she doesnt care. People say that a quartet is like a marriage, but I think its like a family.We just played a place called Womboota and it was so special. DirtI grew up with my Mum, a single Mum, and I ended up having my roads, 11 houses. We had 3545 people come, which is more peoplelessons paid for by other people. You dont forget that. I have a violin than live thereI just feel really lucky to play all the music we do. thats donated to me. Maybe that helps too. Maybe that helps when you Playing chamber music is, for many musicians, the pinnacle of a careerknow that youve got people supporting you, rather than having to give in music. up because you have a parent who just cant afford it. When I was really young and started playing, I was fortunate enoughYou just have to be brave and bold and work hard and love it. I feel to learn from Hiroko Primrose. Her husband William Primrose was anlucky. Very, very lucky.amazing violist and lived in Strasbourg in the early 1970s. I rememberThe Acacia Quartet performs The American at Riverside, listening to all their chamber concerts. He and Chris Kimber or the TokyoSeptember 22.String Quartet would be playing quartets and I thought, imagine playing that music. I wonder if Ill ever get to do that?60'