Zoe Knighton
Zoe is at the forefront of a new generation of performers intent on forging an innovative path for the enjoyment of classical music. She is a founding member of Flinders Quartet.
In 2008, Zoe founded Melbourne Chamber Feast, a biennial festival celebrating the wealth of chamber music talent in Melbourne, and in 2009 she was Artistic Director of the Montsalvat 20 Concert Series. She is currently a board member of 3MBS FM and serves on the Musica Viva review panel.
A passionate pedagogue, Zoe and Flinders Quartet are regular tutors for the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Mount Buller Chamber Music Summer School. Zoe coaches chamber music and cello studies at the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne, where in 2008 she was Acting Co-ordinator of Strings. She has been a guest lecturer at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and a guest principal cellist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Zoe performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is a core member of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Flinders Quartet has toured internationally in Sweden, Canada, and the UK, and appears regularly at Australian festivals as well as in its own celebrated subscription series.
With pianist Amir Farid, Zoe made an impressive debut at Melbourne Recital Centre to great critical acclaim. Their partnership continues through recordings for ABC and concerts throughout Australia.
Press quote
“Zoe Knighton’s Bach Suites recording is wonderfully insightful and of assured musicianship ... Knighton has produced a reading of great artistic integrity.”
— Gordon Kerry, Loudmouth, The Music Trust
Zoe Knighton is featured on the following titles
Schumann Cello
The collaboration between cellist Zoe Knighton and pianist Amir Farid continues with a collection of short works by Clara and Robert Schumann
Brahms Cello
Zoe Knighton and Amir Farid present their seventh cello-piano collaboration — this time from the composer Johannes Brahms. The program includes his sonatas for cello as well as three songs where the cello presents the vocal line wordlessly.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle traces the emotional journey of impending motherhood through the music of highly regarded composer Emily Hall and the words of acclaimed poet Toby Litt. It's presented by Gian Slater (vocals), Sonya Lifschitz (piano), Zoe Knighton (cello)
Bach Cello
The debate still rages about the origins and intention behind these suites. Were they written for the cellist of the court (Christian Ferdinand Abel and Christian Bernhard Linke) where Bach was employed at the time? Were they written for a strange instrument called a violoncello de spalla?
Northern Cello
Music for cello from composers who lived and live in northern Europe. Zoe Knighton is joined by pianist Ian Munro on piano to present gorgeous gems from Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Peteris Vasks and Arvo Pärt.
Russian Cello
Enter the world of Russia. Zoe Knighton and Amir Farid present a mix of unknown works alongside much loved classics. The recording celebrates a romanticism in composition inspired by the combination of cello and piano.
A Little French Cello
A charming collection of music from the rich French school of the late 19th century. The sonority of the cello and the beautiful clarity of the piano make this CD both easy to listen to, and moving. The two performers, Zoe Knighton (Cello) and Amir Farid (Piano) are masters of their art.
Beethoven Cello
Cellists often bemoan the lack of a cello concerto by Beethoven – and rightly so, but these eight works for cello and piano are the envy of many other instruments. The complete cello sonatas and variations of Beethoven are here on this two CD set.
Argentine Cello
More than just Piazzolla, hear the tango as presented by 7 fantastic composers and performed by two of Australia's finest young musicians, Zoe Knighton (cello) and Amir Farid (piano).
Mendelssohn Cello
Mendelssohn is often regarded as a composer who lived a charmed life and therefore whose compositions lack a certain integrity or depth of expression. The gloriousness of his music, its likeability and his creativity in celebrating humanity are certainly primary reasons for his music's longevity.
Lachlan Brown Chamber Works
Lachlan Brown’s Chamber Works contains an hour of beautiful and relaxing music for his favourite instruments and chamber ensembles: piano, harp, organ, violin, cello and string quartet.
Zoe Knighton also appears on
Moonlight Reflections
A recital album full to the brim with exquisite art song, this recording is a compilation of hidden treasures and classic favourites performed by Opera Australia star, Stacey Alleaume.