Symphony No 1. Black Summer
Version 2 2022-11-16, 06:20
Version 1 2022-11-16, 00:16
media
posted on 2022-11-16, 06:20 authored by Paul DeanCommissioned and premiered by the Australian World Orchestra, Sydney and Canberra June 2021
History
ERA Category
- Original Creative Work - Musical composition
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
Research Statement
Symphony was commissioned by the Australian World Orchestra to be performed on the ensemble’s 2021 national tour. It was premiered in Canberra on 2 June 2021 and conducted by Alexander Briger AO. Symphony is of significant contribution to new Australian music research through its duration, theme, and premiere. The expected length of the commission was 35 minutes reflecting a deliberate attempt by the AWO to promote the creation of new Australian works of significant duration. The Australian labelled this length of a new orchestral work as “rare” (2021), which further reinforces the importance of contribution to the repertoire. The theme of the new work explores the 2019 Black Summer fires and is a response to climate injustice. Each element of the commission—duration, theme, and premiering ensemble—are reflective of contemporary Australian culture and musical identity. Additionally, Symphony has inspired further research as it is subject matter of scholar Rhoderick McNeill’s forthcoming publication on Australian symphonic repertoire. Symphony (2021) received significant reviews, media, and radio broadcast in addition to its national tour and premiere by the Australian World Orchestra. Leading up to the premiere, it was featured content for multiple national news outlets including LimeLight (2021) and The Sydney Morning Herald (2021). It was premiered on 2 June in Canberra at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, with a subsequent performance in Sydney on 3 June at the City Recital Hall (the scheduled performance at the Melbourne Recital Hall was cancelled due to Covid-19). The work was recorded for public broadcast by ABC Classic, which has an estimated weekly audience of over 1 million listeners (ABC, 2020). The performance was reviewed by reputable national media critics for Australian Arts Review, Limelight, Canberra City News, and Australian Financial Review.Publisher URL
Confidential / Culturally sensitive
- No
Medium
Orchestral array of instrumentsPerformance size
- Group
Was the work disseminated?
- Yes
Form of dissemination
- Webstreaming
Scope of dissemination
- International
Did the work go on tour?
- No