Musicians from The University of Queensland’s School of Music are set to take centre stage with a number of performances and workshops taking place as part of the Queensland Music Festival this month.
The festival is a state-wide celebration of music featuring the best of local, national and international talent performing a variety of musical styles to Queenslanders.
The world-renowned Brodsky Quartet continues its collaborative partnership with Brisbane’s Topology, led by UQ’s Dr Robert Davidson.
Dr Davidson said the exclusive performance on 18 July, centred on Elvis Costello’s acclaimed ballet suite, Il Sogno, has been recreated as a chamber work specifically for the performance.
“The composition was developed in consultation with Elvis Costello and includes original works by members of the two ensembles,” Dr Davidson said.
“It also features a work created from recorded phone calls between me and the Brodsky Quartet members, and a new work by Andrew Ford, String Quartet no.3, dedicated to the memory of critically acclaimed young violinist Richard Pollett.”
Award-winning UQ piano duo Liam Viney and Anna Grinberg will premiere a brand new composition, Visible Weapon, by Australian composer Matthew Hindson, and will perform Stockhausen’s influential work, Mantra.
Dr Viney said it would be the first Queensland performance in almost 15 years.
“Mantra represents a cosmic 70-minute musical galaxy, growing from a single idea – a ‘formula’ that informs the micro and macro structures within the work, while simultaneously acting as a psychic image of vibration within mind and matter,” Dr Viney said.
“It reflects Stockhausen’s preoccupation with the notion of Geistig-Geistliche which emphasizes the relationship between reason and religion.
“It’s the most comprehensively engaging work I’ve ever performed – drawing on science, spirituality, electronic sound production, Japanese Noh theatre, and even moments of humour.”
In the umbrella program, DeClassified Music 2013, UQ’s Patrick Murphy features on cello in an innovative series of concerts and masterclasses that challenge societal misconceptions of classical chamber music performance.
UQ students are getting involved through the Yarrabah Band Festival, an initiative reigniting Yarrabah’s rich history of instrumental music that has been dormant for more than 40 years.
Acting Executive Dean Dr Denis Collins said The School of Music at The University of Queensland has been a long-time supporter of the Queensland Music Festival.
“The event provides a wonderful opportunity to profile the creativity and innovation of our staff with major figures in the international music scene, while at the same it engages our students in a significant cultural experience,” Dr Collins said.
The Queensland Music Festival runs from 12-28 July, under the artistic direction of legendary jazz trumpeter, James Morrison.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Queensland Music Festival When: Full program, 12-28 July 2013 Tickets / Bookings: Full program and details are available at www.qmf.org.au
EVENTS FEATURING UQ MUSICIANS
Brodsky Quartet & Topology: Il Sogno
Thursday 18 July
Visy Theatre Brisbane Powerhouse
Tickets: Adult $49
Under 30 & Concession $35
Bookings: 3358 8600
www.qmf.org.au
Mantra featuring Liam Viney and Anna Grinberg
Sunday 21 July
Visy Theatre Brisbane Powerhouse
Tickets: Adult $50
Concession $35
Student $25
Bookings: 3358 8600
www.qmf.org.au
Declassified Music featuring Patrick Murphy on cello
Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 July
Fireworks Gallery
Tickets: Single Tickets from $20
Season Tickets from $50
Concessions available
Bookings: 3666 0650
www.qmf.org.au
Yarrabah Band Festival
Monday 22 July, 4:30pm
Bishop Malcolm Park
FREE EVENT
