October 2014

Dear ,

Congratulations to Leonie, Michael and Celeste, the finalists for SOUNZ Contemporary Award 2014. Read more below and keep an eye on SOUNZ online as we will be posting about each finalist again closer to the APRA Silver Scrolls Awards on Thursday 30 October.

The reasons for celebrating don't end here, as we're also releasing a new selection of Resound recordings later this year and we'll be toasting the fifth year for Resound in 2015.

And talking of toasts, why not raise a glass for two distinguished NZ composer, Jack Body and Lyell Cresswell, who turn 70 this month.

While you're out partying, why not check out the range of events, concerts and premieres there are on offer this month and look out for our list of Christmas gift ideas.

SOUNZ and APRA AMCOS announced the finalists for the 2014 SOUNZ Contemporary Award, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition. The following works by New Zealand composers were selected this year:
Leonie Holmes: Aquae Sulis - for orchestra of winds, strings, harp and percussion
Michael Norris: Inner Phases - for Chinese instrument ensemble and string quartet
Celeste Oram: macropsia - for orchestra

The winner of the 2014 SOUNZ Contemporary Award will be announced at the APRA Silver Scrolls Awards at TSB Arena in Wellington on Thursday 30 October.

Hot off the press: SOUNZ is happy to share a recent interview with the three finalists, by Alex Taylor. You can read it at Alex's blog, the Listener.

SOUNZ will release a new selection of Resound Project Phase 2 (re-recording of works) recordings later this year. Radio NZ Concert will re-record seven chamber works and also choral works sung by the Tudor Consort with Richard Apperley (organ) as part of Resound Phase 2

Resound Phase 2.0 (live concert filming) is filming the following during October and November: Anthony Ritchie's new opera This Other Eden, Kenneth Young's new commission Invocation presented by the Auckland Philharmonia, Alex Taylor's new Bassoon Concerto performed by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra (conductor Peter Scholes) with bassoon soloist Ben Hoadley, and the NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Award, performed by the NZSO.

Remember to keep an eye on SOUNZ online for the latest updates on the Resound Project.

Two prominent NZ composers are celebrating their 70th birthday this month. SOUNZ wishes happy birthday to Jack Body and Lyell Cresswell.

To mark Jack's birthday, there will be a piano recital by Geoffrey Hinds on Saturday 11 October 3pm at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Mt  Eden. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Society of New Zealand.

'Friends of Jack', led by Dame Gillian Whitehead, Jennifer Shennan and Scilla Askew, are publishing a book to celebrate and honour him. More than 100 contributions from friends, family, composers, musicians, university colleagues and more from all over the world have been gathered to this special task. Two thirds of the funding for this special project has already been secured, but you can help by donating through the Boosted campaign his friends have set up.

Lyell Cresswell will be featured on SOUNZ online during his birthday week, so keep your eye on SOUNZ news page.

Charlotte Wilson recently interviewed NZ composer Anthony Ritchie, who is having a blockbuster year.

It began with his fourth symphony, premiered by Jenny Wollerman and the CSO on the anniversary of the February Christchurch quake. In May, it was his new violin concerto, performed by MHIVC winner Bella Hristova and the Southern Sinfonia. He has just come back from Belgium from the premiere of his latest choral work, Salaam, by the Aquarius choir and his new opera, This Other Eden, premieres at the Arts Festival Dunedin.

Read the full interview at SOUNZ online.

This year's newly rebranded Arts Festival Dunedin (previously The Otago Festival of the Arts) starts this month and presents a delighful programme on NZ music.

In addition to the première of Opera Otago's season of Anthony Ritchie's This Other Eden, conducted by Tecwyn Evans, the following performances can be seen and heard at the Festival:

Sonic Psalms: St Paul’s Cathedral Choir joins forces with Puspawarna, STRORK and others, to present a sonic soundscape of  choral and instrumental sounds in a ‘son et lumière’ experience.

Robbie Ellis: In the vein of Nöel Coward, seated at the piano, Robbie sings original songs, which challenge our perceptions about everyday events and activities.

High Mountain Flowing Water: This world première is a China/NZ collaboration, bringing together Chinese artists who are masters of their chosen instruments. With composer and pianist Gao Ping.

Between Zero and One: New work by Strike, the country’s premier percussion ensemble, is music and visual performance on an epic scale and the creation of New Zealand composer John Psathas.

Requiem for the Fallen: A powerful and moving musical drama written in commemoration of World War I by composer Ross Harris, Poet Laureate Vincent O’Sullivan and taonga puoro composer Horomona Horo.

SOUNZ was saddened to hear about the passing of NZ composer John Ritchie (1921-2014).

John has had a long and distinguished career as a composer, conductor and educator. He is known especially for his choral music, music for brass, orchestral works, carols and church music.

Our condolences to his family and friends. We have put together a tribute page at SOUNZ online.

The Donizetti Trio's tour of NZ continues, including works by NZ composers Eve de Castro-Robinson and Dame Gillian Whitehead.

Wellington jazz band The Troubles also continue their tour of NZ.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) presents Invocation, the first work written by Kenneth Young as the APO’s Composer-in-Residence. The APO has also announced their 2015 Season.

Manukau Symphony Orchestra presents Tane and the Kiwi, by Thomas Goss, in their exciting family programme.

Auckland musician Yvette Audain will perform at the Wellington release concert of her new album.

Rare Earth at the Inside Out Festival in the UK, presents works by NZ composers John Croft, Dorothy Ker, Michael Norris and Jeroen Speak.

NZTrio performs Vicissitudes with Mike Nock Trio at the Nelson Arts Festival.

NZTrio will also perform in City Gallery Wellington. Art³ includes the World Premiere (and NZTrio commission) …when expectation ends by Leonie Holmes.

Gao Shan Liu Shui - High Mountain Flowing Water will be performed at Nelson Arts Festival after its premiere in Dunedin.

Mike Nock Trio will perform at the Queenstown JazzFest.

We have recently acquired the score for SOUNZ Contemporary finalist Celeste Oram's macropsia.

Another score added to our collection is Flower Songs by Jeremy Woodside, who is a new composer to SOUNZ.

Also a SOUNZ Contemporary finalist, Leonie Holmes' Solstice CD is available from SOUNZ online.

2, the new album by Australasian ensemble Hip Flask, formed by NZ composer and saxophonist Roger Manins, can also be purchased at SOUNZ online.

And for those who like to read, Robert Hoskins' Memories of Early Years and other writings - Douglas Lilburn. Most of these writings about the formative years and music of New Zealand’s foremost classical composer have never been published or collected before.

Don't forget to check out some of the other resources we have available at SOUNZ, like repertoire ideas for brass players. Or our recent list of Christmas gift ideas to help choose a gift for the musically inclined. And do keep an eye on the page, as more items will be added between now and Christmas.

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