| Landscape & Memory | Melbourne Symphony Orchestra |
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Three of Australia’s greatest performing ensembles come together for the world premiere of an exciting new work by composer, Gerard Brophy.
Commissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Book of Clouds features Australia’s finest percussion ensembles, Synergy and TaikOz with shakuhachi grandmaster Riley Lee, under the baton of Japanese maestro Tadaaki Otaka in three concerts on 29, 30 and 31 May at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, 8pm.
An enormous task faced the composer in combining the shakuhachi, a symphony orchestra and a large array of percussive instruments including Himalayan singing bowls, the Katsugi-Okedo, the grand O-Daiko and Chinese feng gongs. With these vast and divergent resources at his disposal, Brophy said by far the most exciting aspect of this piece was combining it into “a cohesive and meaningful whole” in a “fantastic journey of friendship, exploration and challenges aplenty”. The composer has worked very closely over the years with members from both percussion ensembles, dedicating this new work to them featuring two Synergy performers alongside four TaikOz members plus Riley Lee, together with the Orchestra.
One of Australia's premier percussion ensemble since 1974, Synergy is dedicated to the performance of contemporary music by composers from Australia and around the world and has actively commissioned new works since its beginning. With ancient practice at its core, TaikOz combines Japanese tradition with the latest Australian compositions since the ensemble was first established in 1997. TaikOz members have trained and performed with Japanese taiko masters Sado-Ondekoza, Eitetsu Hayashi and Sen Amano and over the course of ten years have collectively established a definitive taiko sound.
Audiences may remember the power and excitement of TaikOz when they last performed with the MSO in 2004 under the baton of Maestro Hiroyuki Iwaki.
In its Australian premiere, Takemitsu’s I hear the Water Dreaming features MSO’s own Principal Flute Prudence Davis as soloist. A longtime member of the orchestra much-loved by audiences, Prue has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions. She has also performed with other ensembles including Australia Pro Arte and Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa as well as in recital.
Renowned Japanese conductor Tadaaki Otaka concludes the program with a much-loved MSO showcase, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition which is a tribute to the composer’s friend, architect and artist, Victor Hartmann. Awarded a CBE for outstanding services to music in the UK and the Suntory Medal, the highest music award in his native Japan, Maestro Otaka last performed with the Orchestra more then ten years ago. For twenty years he was the Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and in 1996 he became the Conductor Laureate of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Following these performances he conducts a two concerts on 6 and 7 June featuring works by Britten, Elgar and Beethoven.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
LANDSCAPE AND MEMORY
Brophy The Book of Clouds World premiere
Takemitsu I Hear the Water Dreaming Australian premiere
Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition
Tadaaki Otaka conductor
TaikOz percussion ensemble with Riley Lee shakuhachi
Synergy percussion ensemble
Prudence Davis flute
Venue: the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall
Dates/Times: Thursday 29, Friday 30, Thursday 31 May at 8pm
Visit: www.mso.com.au
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