UQ Music piano student and 2010 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year, Oliver She, will perform in the Australian Premiere of Selenite City at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's 20/21 series this Friday night.
Written by Elena Kats-Chernin, Selenite City is a concerto for violin and piano and was to have featured UQ Music Masters degree candidate and fellow 2010 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year winner, Richard Pollett, on violin.
Mr Pollett was tragically killed in an accident while in Brisbane to rehearse for this concert. The concert has now been dedicated to him and will feature the world premiere of "For Richard", written by Ms Kats-Chernin.
"'For Richard' is a piece for strings that I wrote in the days following the tragic passing of this talented young violinist. When the QSO told me a few months ago that Richard would be one of the soloists in my double concerto Selenite City, I was especially pleased. Richard and I exchanged emails about the project on the day before his accident," Ms Kats-Chernin said.
While a commemoration, "For Richard" is also a celebration of a brilliant young musician. At the core of the piece is a melody derived from the name "Richard Pollett" centred around D major/minor.
A memorial award has been established by Mr Pollett's parents (UQ Associate Professor Patricia Pollett and UQ Professor Philip Pollett) in association with the Australian Youth Orchestra to honour his memory.
Donations to the Richard Pollett Memorial Award are being accepted by the Australian Youth Orchestra.
The concert will be held from 7.30pm on Friday, October 28, at the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre. Tickets available online or from the Powerhouse on telephone 3358 8600.
Media: Dania Lawrence on 3365 9163 or email d.lawrence@uq.edu.au.
