101 COMPOSITIONS FOR 100 YEARS
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, part of the University of Sydney, has initiated a global scheme to generate 101 new music compositions over a seven year period to coincide with the lead up to its centenary in 2015.
A broad range of international and national composers of renown are being commissioned, year-on-year, as well as an array of upcoming and talented local composers from around Australia.
Those selected have helped shape music in the past 100 years and are considered most likely to do so for the next 100 years.
The new works, which will embrace classical through to contemporary styles, span all genres including orchestral, modern music ensembles, choirs, percussion ensembles, opera and big band. These works will also involve all 43 musical instruments and voice taught at the Conservatorium.
The vast majority of new works will premiere in Australia, many of them at The Con.
The unprecedented project will help celebrate The Con’s centenary in 2015. It aims to reinforce The Con, the University of Sydney, Sydney and Australia as centres of excellence and innovation in the world of contemporary music.
The project was instigated by the Dean and Principal of The Con, Professor Kim Walker. Co-Patron is Father Arthur Bridge, the founder of Ars Musica Australia.
The inaugural international composition in 2009 was an orchestral amalgam of Bob Dylan songs called Mr Tambourine Man by leading American composer John Corigliano.
Corigliano is a winner of several Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize, and an Academy Award for his score for the 1997 film “The Red Violin.” His works have been performed by some of the most prominent orchestras, soloists and chamber musicians in the world; and he has a string quartet named after him.
Mr Tambourine Man had its world premiere in Sydney on 11 September in 2009.
The scheme’s initial Australian composer was Carl Vine, one of the country’s most respected composers, with an expansive catalogue spanning dance, chamber and works for film, television and theatre, combined with his roles of Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia and the Huntington Estate Music Festival.
His piano duo commission, a work for SCM pianists Paul Rickard-Ford and Natalia Scheludiakova, premiered at The Con on 22 November, 2009
Under the project, a select group of the more significant composers will conduct seminars/group classes, individual student lessons, as well as guest lectures relating to their music and areas of interest and expertise.
Professor Kim Walker, Dean and Principal, comments:
“101 Compositions is an audacious and bold project that will bring into the world a rich blend of important compositions certain to generate inspiration, innovation and a tangible bridge to the 22nd century of music-making.
“The musical dialogue at The Con is a joyful and profound experience for music lovers everywhere for hopefully 100 years into the future. The commissioning of these new works will resonate to all parts of the globe and across performance, structure and education, and touch untold numbers of people.”