“..a jewel in the national period-instrument crown” Limelight

"Ravishing Sound... " SMH

★★★★★ "balance, clear-sightedness and optimism" SMH

“..a young and engaged group” SHM

"This elegant programme by the AHE was more than just music – it was a lesson rich in history as told in music. The playing, polished with an instinctive understanding of each other, was beautifully balanced, technically impressive and cohesive." Sounds Like Sydney

"...a dramatic, exciting performance that left the audience on a high." Limelight

"...tight and attentive ensemble work and a lovely singing tone from McIntosh’s lead fiddle." Daily Telegraph

The Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE), under the direction of Artistic Director Skye McIntosh, is one of Australia’s leading historically informed orchestras and chamber music groups. AHE brings together world-class musicians who excel in both modern and period instrument performance and are highly committed to both historical research and performance. The group’s repertoire is principally music of the late baroque and early classical era. The Ensemble's name pays tribute to the great 'Papa Haydn' who was a central figure of the late eighteenth century in Europe.

Formed in 2012, AHE burst onto the Australian music scene with passion and energy. It has performed all over the country, including at prestigious internationally focussed Australian multi-arts festivals including the Adelaide Festival (2022), the Canberra International Music Festival (2022 and 2023), the Melbourne Festival (2016) as well as locally focussed events such as Festival By the Sea (QLD 2016), the Tyalgum Festival (2018), the Mornington Peninsula Festival (2019), the Organs of the Ballarat Goldfield’s Festival (2019) and the Canowindra festivals.

AHE made its debut international tour to the USA in October 2023.

AHE has built a reputation for its vibrant and accessible performances, which are faithful to the sound-worlds that would have been familiar to Haydn and his contemporaries.

AHE have received critical acclaim for its debut ABC Classics recording, The Haydn Album, which premiered at No. 1 on the Australian Classical Aria Charts. According to Gramophone magazine, ‘…this is a polished, style-conscious ensemble.’

The Australian Haydn Ensemble has collaborated with many leading international and Australian historical specialist performers including Midori Seiler (GER), Melvyn Tan (UK), Marc Destrubé (CAN), Catherine MackIntosh (UK), Charles Neidich (USA), Stefanie True (CAN), Erin Helyard (Australia), Neal Peres Da Costa (Australia), Sara Macliver (Australia), Helen Sherman (UK) and David Greco (Australia).

The most recent recording of AHE is the CD release made in collaboration with leading historical keyboardist Neal Peres Da Costa. Titled Beethoven Piano Concertos No 1 & 3, it has been applauded by leading historical expert Clive Brown who said: ‘this recording by the Australian Haydn Ensemble marks a new and exciting development in period-instrument performance of Beethoven’s music. It offers a highly persuasive combination of impressive musicianship and convincing historical research.’ Clive Brown