“Outstandingly talented musician, musical gold pours forth” is the description given by the London Observer of Tasmanian born cellist Trish O’Brien. Her performances are passionate, her repertoire choices revere quality and strive to engage audiences with lesser known works by outstanding composers. Many composers have written works for Trish, and in the early 2000’s she searched out unpublished manuscripts and performed the Australian premieres of the Shostakovich Moderato, Prokofiev’s Sonata movement solo cello (unfinished) and Myaskovsky’s 2nd Sonata, all of which are now in standard cello repertoire.
Trish is currently co-Artistic Director of Ensemble Q, cellist of the Endeavour Trio and member of the Australian World Orchestra in 2021. A former Principal with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and recipient of numerous awards, Trish has performed as concerto soloist with several Australian orchestras, and as chamber musician at many national and international festivals and as recitalist and chamber musician in the UK, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany, Malaysia and across Australia. As an Artistic Director she has held positions at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium and the APRA award winning Camden Haven Music Festival. She is the driving force behind the Ensemble Q mentorship program and has taught cello and chamber music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
Her most recent solo cello recording, Ciaccona was released in 2020 by Ensemble Q Artists. She has recorded for ABC Classics, Solitary Island Records, 2MBS Fine Music Records and appears regularly on ABC Classic and 4MBS FM.