Perth Voice Interactive

THE amazing Fremantle Chamber Orchestra is celebrating its 20th anniversary. 

What an incredible achievement by founder and cellist Hans Hug, who decided 20 years ago to start his own orchestra so classical guitarist Milica Illic, a Balkan war refugee, could have her first concert.

Hug says in the beginning it was difficult to get musicians to play for the unknown orchestra, but when aspiring young conductor Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo took up the baton, and Rebecca Glorie became concert master, other musicians started getting keen on joining the Fremantle group.

But more importantly, world renowned Dutch violinist Rudolf Koelman, a friend of Hug’s, decided to fly over from Europe every year to be the soloist at FCO concerts. 

Koelman’s performances were like master classes for the mainly young musicians of the FCO, and an absolute delight to listen to. 

His sublime music always made me emotional and gave me goosebumps.

Hug says his orchestra has attracted well over 30,000 visitors to the Fremantle concerts alone, through more than 200 performances, mainly in the Town Hall.

The FCO also helped raise $18,170 in 2022 and $41,500 in 2024 for Ukrainian women and children.

The orchestra has been an incubator for dozens of young musicians who’ve played their first concert with the FCO, or been given their first opportunity to shine on stage as a soloist.

People such as 18-year-old Max Wung (Dvorak Cello Concerto), 19-year-old Hannah Woolley (Mozart Oboe Concerto), 20-year-old Emily Leung (Mozart Violin Concerto 3) and 14-year-old Ellie Malonzo (Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.2 in D Minor Op.22).

There have been a few FCO world premieres: Ellie Malonzo “found her voice” with her composition Concerto for Violin and Viola “Canons and Counterpoints” then backed it up with Concerto for 2 Violins, New York based WA composer Michael Salvatore Grebla’s Sfidare for String Orchestra got its first outing courtesy FCO, as did Ollivier-Philippe Cunéo’s Le Verre Siffleur.

The Fremantle Chamber Orchestra also love to play some of the largely forgotten compositions, such as the Wranitzky Symphony in D major, Atterberg’s Adagio Amoroso, Koželuch’s Clarinet Concerto No 2, Kraus’s Symphony in C minor, Gyula Beliczay’s Serenade for String Nonet in D minor, the Stamitz Flute Concerto in G major, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings in D major, Schönberg’s Notturno for violin, harp and strings and Bruckner’s String Quintet in F major: Adagio.

I believe Hans Hug should receive the Fremantle Citizen of the Year award for his dedication. 

He has been the driving force behind the FCO (where he also plays the cello), together with his wife Natalie and a small group of volunteers.

I was one of them in those early days, setting up chairs in the Town Hall, taking photos of the concerts, and serving drinks in the interval. 

It is absolutely inspirational to watch someone like Hans, always trying to get new musicians, sponsorships and performance venues. His energy never drops.

Well done to all who performed and to those who worked behind the scenes. 

You have enormously enriched Fremantle! Thank you.

Roel Loopers/FREOVIEW