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. The ensemble, brings together world-class musicians who excel in both modern and period instrument performance and are highly committed to both historical research and performance. Their repertoire is principally music of the early classical era and the late baroque. The Ensemble's name pays tribute to the great 'Papa Haydn' who was a central figure of the late Eighteenth Century. 

Formed in 2012, the group has burst onto the Australian Music Scene with passion and energy. They have performed all over Australian and in the USA and have enjoyed many invitations to Australian Festivals such as The Melbourne Festival (2016), Festival By the Sea (QLD 2016), The Tyalgum Festival (2018), The Mornington Peninsula Festival (2019), Organs of the Ballarat Goldfield’s Festival (2019) Canowindra Festivals. AHE has built a reputation for its vivacious performances, which are faithful to the sound-worlds that would have been familiar to Haydn and his contemporaries.

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

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). 

AHE newest CD release in collaboration with leading historical keyboardist Neal Peres Da Costa Beethoven Piano Concertos No 1 & 3, 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.’

“..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