The Queensland Conservatorium celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special concert — ‘New Sounds from the Asia Pacific’ on Friday, October 5.
Under the direction of Vanessa Tomlinson, the Conservatorium’s resident percussion ensemble Ba Da Boom and the New Music Ensemble unite to present works by three visionary Brisbane composers with recent and classic works from China, New Zealand and the US.
These dedicated musicians have assembled a vast array of instruments and tonal colours — ranging from the delicate tinkling of toy piano to the boisterous cacophony of gongs and cymbals — to bring to life the diverse musical worlds of Chinese composer Guo Wenjing’s theatrical Parade and Gerard Brophy’s Cuban-flavoured Songo.
Specially commissioned for the concert is Erik Griswold’s Concerto for prepared piano and percussion, which draws on rhythms from everyday life with sounds ranging from intimate and miniature to raucous and joyful.
Eclectic Australian-American musician Erik Griswold fuses experimental, jazz and world music traditions to create works of striking originality.
He performs as a soloist in Clocked Out Duo (with percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson), and collaborates with musicians from diverse backgrounds as well as visual artists, writers, dancers and circus performers.
Also on the program is the Queensland premiere of internationally acclaimed local composer Liza Lim’s exquisite Songs Found in Dream, the Australian premiere of Jack Body’s Three Sentimental Songs, the seminal percussive work Ionisation by Varese, and the ever inspiring John Cage’s Music For……
WHAT: Celebration Concert: Percussion and New Music
WHEN: Friday, October 5, 7.30pm
WHERE: Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank
WEBSITE: www.griffith.edu.au/concerts
Media Contacts: Arts & Education Communications Officer Deborah Marshall 07 3735 5245, 0408 727 734
