Steel City Strings Podcast: Matthew Tsalidis On Being A Freelance Musician

Recently, I interviewed violinist, Matthew Tsalidis about what it means to be a freelance musician and how a freelance artist manages his life on the Steel City Strings podcast.

Hailing from Wollongong, Matthew Tsalidis is a professional freelance violinist, whose performance experience spans solo, orchestral, and chamber music repertoire. Commencing his violin studies at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, Matthew was a recipient of the Bessie Foskett Memorial Scholarship, studying with Scott Taggart.Furthering his studies, Matthew completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney, studying with Dr Evgeny Sorkin. Matthew currently plays with the St George Chamber Orchestra (Sydney), performing alongside members of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as Steel City Strings (Wollongong), the Illawarra's premiere chamber ensemble.

He has appeared as guest concertmaster with the Illawarra Choral Society and has also played with the Sutherland Shire Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Matthew has appeared with the Beecroft Symphony Orchestra (Sydney) and has both led and directed a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Wollongong Art Gallery. Matthew collaborates regularly with pianist Emelia Noack-Wilkinson, and together they have presented many recitals in Wollongong (Church On The Mall) and Sydney (Macarthur Music Club). Matthew is also a dedicated violin tutor.

Matthew has chosen two recordings that you will hear throughout the podcast.

• A. Vivaldi, Concerto in F Major (Autumn from the Four Seasons), Movement III. Recorded live at Wollongong Art Gallery on January 19, 2020. Matthew Tsalidis (solo violin) Violin 1 - Elisabetta Sonego, Jacob Antonio Violin 2 - Jonathan Karanikas, Sophia Hans Viola - Adrian Davis Cello - Karella Mitchell Double Bass - Ethan Ireland Harpsichord (continuo) - David Vance

• P. Sarasate, Zigeunerweisen. Accompanied by David Vance.

You can hear more recordings of Matthew Tsalidis on his YouTube Channel. His Instagram handle is @matthewtsalidis.

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This episode is also simulcast on The Bari Blab ​podcast.

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