Recognising Australia’s finest talent in new music
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Australia’s finest compositions, performances and outstanding achievements in contemporary classical music will be nationally recognised today, with the announcement of finalists for the 2009 Classical Music Awards.
View full list of finalists>>
Proudly presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Music Centre (AMC), the Classical Music Awards is the only program that specifically honours Australia’s outstanding talent in contemporary classical music.
The distinguished list of national finalists for 2009 includes renowned violinist and industry veteran Jon Rose, composers William Barton and Matthew Hindson, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Cross Soloists.
Ian Grandage’s composition Black Dogs, which was commissioned by internationally renowned UK-based Brodsky Quartet, will compete with works by Georges Lentz, Daniel Blinkhorn, Michael Yezerski and Richard Tognetti in the category for ‘Best Composition by an Australian Composer’.
The Award for ‘Best Performance of an Australian Composition’ features a diverse mix of new and established performers. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s long history of collaboration with Carl Vine is joined by the Jerusalem Quartet’s performance of String Quartet No. 3 by Richard Mills, and the emerging talents of the energetic Melbourne-based Arcko Symphonic Project.
“This is our most eclectic range of finalists to date. 2009 presents us with another year of incredible talent and achievement, reflecting the broad range of contemporary classical music that is flourishing in Australia,” said Australian Music Centre CEO, John Davis.
“We are seeing exciting audiovisual works gaining prominence, such as Daniel Blinkhorn’s composition, jeu fabrique, and other cross-media projects that are expanding the boundaries of new music in Australia.”
“The Classical Awards are a celebration of the rich variety and quality of contemporary music that is created in this country – both of which are clearly represented in this year’s finalists,” said APRA | AMCOS CEO, Brett Cottle.
“As the only event of its kind in Australia, the awards play a critical role in fostering the Australian contemporary music scene and acknowledging the achievements of our extremely talented performers, composers and supporters to the rest of the world.”
The 2009 Classical Music Awards will be presented at The Sydney Opera House’s Playhouse Theatre on Monday 21 September, when composers, performers, educators, critics and music lovers once again gather for Australia’s annual celebration of contemporary classical music.
The 2009 Classical Music Awards
Monday 21 September
Sydney Opera House
Playhouse Theatre
About the Classical Music Awards
The Classical Music Awards are presented each year to recognise achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian music.
Eleven national Awards and various state Awards are presented in categories covering composition, performance, music education and regional music. The awards also recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations. Any financial member of the Australian Music Centre or APRA is eligible to make a nomination.
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