Dr Bernadette Harvey
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Dr Bernadette Harvey

DM Eastman
Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Piano
Phone
61+2 412 949 969
Fax
Nil
Address
C41 - Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The University of Sydney
Dr Bernadette Harvey

Bernadette Harvey’s career as a pianist commenced early when she won her first medal in the Sydney Eisteddfod at the age of two and a half. She went on to win the ABC ‘Young Performer of the Year’ and performed in recitals and as a soloist with all the Australian Symphony Orchestras, presenting eight different piano concertos. In 2000, Bernadette was awarded a Centenary Medal by the then Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, for her contributions to Australian Music. She also received the Australian Music Centre’s award for the Promotion of Australian Music as well as the Best Performance of an Australian Composition in 2001 as part of Australian Virtuosi.

Ms Harvey has recently completed a national tour for Musica Viva with internationally renowned Chinese cellist, Jian Wang which included solo piano works by Carl Vine and Kevin Puts. These concerts were broadcast for ABC Classic FM. In 2009 and 2011 Bernadette was a guest artist at the Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival in Tucson, Arizona. There she worked with such artists as Ani Kavafian, Joseph Lin, Antonio Lysy, Paul Coletti and Alan Vogel. In March, 2012 she presented the world premiere of a piano quintet by Pierre Jalbert, and performed with the Tokyo Quartet. Carl Vine’s Piano Quintet, Fantasia, was premiered in 2013 with the Shanghai Quartet in Tucson and again in Australia for the Melbourne Festival in October 2013. She and the Shanghai Quartet presented the Australian premiere of the Bright Sheng Piano Quintet, Dance Capriccio. Bernadette also performed with American clarinetist, David Schifrin at his Phoenix Chamber Music Festival in 2012. Bernadette performs regularly for Musica Viva Australia, her most recent appearances being on a national tour with Chinese cellist, Jian Wang and at the 2014 Huntington Festival.

Bernadette maintains her work as a soloist, recently performing with the Auckland Philharmonic (Rachmaninov Paganini Variations, October 2013). She has had several new works written for her, including the Piano Concerto, Rubia by Melbourne composer Tim Dargaville which she premiered in Melbourne in 2003 with the Academy of Melbourne Orchestra. Through assistance form the Australia Council for the Arts and the Freshwater Festival of Chamber Music, Bernadette has commissioned five new solo piano sonatas by Australian composers, Matthew Hindson, Melody Eötvös, Jane Stanley, Aristea Mélos and Tim Dargaville. Acclaimed Australian composer, Ross Edwards, composed a new solo piano sonata for Bernadette in 2011 and together with his Night Songs and Mantras, Carl Vine’s Piano Sonata 1 and Anne Landa Preludes, has just completed its world premiere recording for release in 2015 under the Tall Poppies label. Her recent solo performance in Perth elicited the following critique: “Gifted with a rare physical control of the instrument and intellectual and interpretative qualities to match…dispatched with a Horowitz-like virtuosity…blisteringly virtuosic…It drew me to the edge of my seat.” (Neville Cohn, West Australian).

Bernadette is a core member of the Sydney Soloists (consisting of the principal wind and string players from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and is enjoying a busy schedule as a duo performer, working with Diana Doherty, Sara Macliver, Claire Edwardes and Natsuko Yoshimoto. Bernadette frequently appears on Sunday Live, most recently with Claire Edwardes in June 2013 and Zoltan Szabo, 2012 and has enjoyed collaborations with Michael Kieran Harvey (Australian Virtuosi), the New Zealand String Quartet, Emily Beynon and many others. Bernadette performed to critical acclaim at the 2008 Huntington Festival both as a soloist - performing Alternating Current by American composer Kevin Puts - and as collaborator, most notably with international cellist Jian Wang performing the Brahms cello sonatas. Other regular festival appearances include the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Castlemaine Festival, Victoria, the TURA Festival, Perth, Four Winds and Aurora, amongst others.

In 2009 Bernadette performed Stockhausen’s Kontakte in Perth, Brisbane and the Sydney Opera House with Percussionist Claire Edwardes to critical acclaim. These performances came on the back of performances of Harrison Birtwistle’s Axe Manual for the same combination at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and the Aurora Festival. Bernadette enjoys the challenge presented by such complex works and collaborations. As Artistic Director of her own Freshwater Chamber Music Festival, she regularly commissions new works by Australian and overseas composers.

Following early studies in Australia Bernadette traveled to Canada, England and France studying for a short time with Robert Silverman and Cecile Ousset. After a brief return home, she won several overseas scholarships and two Australia Council Grants, which provided the means for further study in the USA. Bernadette studied with Nelita True and was her Teaching Assistant at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and graduated with a Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts.

As a Fellow of the Tanglewood Summer Music Festival she studied with such musicians as Henri and Genevieve Dutilleux, Gil Kalish, Reinbert de Leeuw and Julius Levine. She went on to teach at the New England Conservatory and the Longy School of Music in Boston and Cambridge, Massachussets.

After winning various prizes in numerous international competitions, Bernadette returned to Australia where she was immediately offered the Artistic Directorship of the 1997 Australian Women’s Music Festival. Currently, she is Lecturer in Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Apart from her activities as a performer, Bernadette is researching into the area of injury preventive keyboard technique, encouraging her students to form healthy practice habits and ensuring them a long and happy career with their instrument.

Publications

Music

  • Smiles, J., Harvey, B. (2018). 1. Oh, Sister 2. Art Nouveau. Reimaginings: So fine: Contemporary women artists make Australian history. Gordon Darling Hall, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia: Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
  • Harvey, B., Doherty, D., Haveron, A., Delbridge, L., Williams, J., Hewgill, C. (2018). Spirit of the Wild by Nigel Westlake. Spirit Ensemble. Ukaria Cultural Centre, Mount Barker Summit, South Australia, Australia: Ukaria Cultural Centre.
  • Herscovitch, D., Harvey, B. (2017). 1. 7 Pieces from Mikrokosmos for Two Pianos (Bela Bartok 2. En blanc et noir (Claude Debussy 3. La Valse (Maurice Ravel 4. Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (Bela Bartok). Two Pianos and Percussion. Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Recorded / Rendered Performance

  • Harvey, B., Lee, N., Freivogel, M., Freivogel, L., McDonough, D. (2019). 1-4 Piano Quintet (by Pierre Jalbert) 5 Piano Quartet (by Steven Stucky). On Alchemy, CD, Spotify, Apple Music, Toronto, Canada: Marquis Classics.
  • Harvey, B. (2017). Aristea Mellos, Sonata: 1. Reminiscence: we ate the stars 2. Cardinal Spada's Gallery, 3. Vanishing Point; Melody Eotvos, Piano Sonata no. 1: 4. The Demoiselle D'Ys, 5. Verite cachee; Jane Stanley, Piano Sonata: 6. Prelude, 7. I, 8. II, 9. Postlude ; Ross Edwards Sea Star Fantasy 10. I Distant and Dreamy/ Gently whimsical 11. II Sprightly. On The Sonata Project: Bernadette Harvey, CD, Kangaroo Valley NSW, Australia: Tall Poppies.
  • Harvey, B. (2015). Mantras and Night Flowers: Ross Edwards and Carl Vine, CD, iTunes, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia: Tall Poppies.

Exhibitions / Events

  • Harvey, B., Bradley, L. (2017). The Sonata Project. Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: The Sonata Project.

2019

  • Harvey, B., Lee, N., Freivogel, M., Freivogel, L., McDonough, D. (2019). 1-4 Piano Quintet (by Pierre Jalbert) 5 Piano Quartet (by Steven Stucky). On Alchemy, CD, Spotify, Apple Music, Toronto, Canada: Marquis Classics.

2018

  • Smiles, J., Harvey, B. (2018). 1. Oh, Sister 2. Art Nouveau. Reimaginings: So fine: Contemporary women artists make Australian history. Gordon Darling Hall, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia: Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
  • Harvey, B., Doherty, D., Haveron, A., Delbridge, L., Williams, J., Hewgill, C. (2018). Spirit of the Wild by Nigel Westlake. Spirit Ensemble. Ukaria Cultural Centre, Mount Barker Summit, South Australia, Australia: Ukaria Cultural Centre.

2017

  • Herscovitch, D., Harvey, B. (2017). 1. 7 Pieces from Mikrokosmos for Two Pianos (Bela Bartok 2. En blanc et noir (Claude Debussy 3. La Valse (Maurice Ravel 4. Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (Bela Bartok). Two Pianos and Percussion. Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2017). 1. Sarabande et Cortege (Dutilleux), 2. Piano Quartet No 1 (Faure), 3. Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano (Lutoslawski), 4. Piano Quartet in a minor (Turina), 5. Sextet in Bb Major (Thuille), 6. Duo for Flute and Piano (Copland). The 24th Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Leo Rich Theatre, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America: Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2017). 1. With What do Winter's Summers Sing by S. Harrison, 2. Kolam, mvt 2 by T. Dargaville, 3. Five Senses by R. Edwards. The Fire in Which We Burn. Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

2016

  • Greensmith, C., Harvey, B. (2016). "Solaris" for Cello and Piano. Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Leo Rich Theatre, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America: Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2016). 1. Sonata in C Major for cello and piano (Britten), 2. Andante and Variations in Bb Major (Schumann), 3. Ritual Protocol for marimba and piano (Puts), 4. Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (Bartok), 5. Double Ikat for Violin, Percussion and Piano (Dresher), 6. Piano Quintet (Puts), 7. Twilight Music (Harbison), 8. La Valse for Two Pianos (Ravel). The 23rd Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Leo Rich Theatre, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America: Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2016). 1. Suite for clarinet, violin and piano (Milhaud), 2. The Swan for cello and piano (Saint-Saens), 3. Fantasiestucke for clarinet and piano (Schumann), 4. My Song is Love Unknown (Stanhope), 5. Kegelstatt Trio (Mozart), 6. Sonata for Violin and Piano in G (Ravel), 7. Archduke Piano Trio (Beethoven). Australian World Orchestra 2016 Chamber Music Festival. Bowral Memorial Hall, Bowral NSW, Australia: Australian World Orchestra.

2015

  • Harvey, B. (2015). Mantras and Night Flowers: Ross Edwards and Carl Vine, CD, iTunes, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia: Tall Poppies.

2013

  • Harvey, B., Shanghai String Quartet, ,. (2013). Fantasia for Piano Quintet. The 20th Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Leo Rich Theatre, Tucson, United States of America: Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2013). Piano Sonata no 1: I and II. Jian Wang and Bernadette Harvey. City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney, Australia.

2012

  • Yoshimoto, N., Harvey, B. (2012). ANTEA - Miniature for solo violin and piano. Lunchtimes at Elder Hall | Concert Season Two. Elder Hall, Adelaide, Australia: Elder Conservatorium of Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2012). Night for Piano and Orchestra. Night. Llewellyn Hall, Canberra, Australia: Canberra Youth Music.
  • Harvey, B. (2012). Piano Sonata. Ross Edwards Marquee 101. Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

2011

  • Harvey, B. (2011). The Anne Landa Preludes. The 22nd Huntington Estate Music Festival. Huntington Estate, Mudgee, Australia.

2010

  • Bibeau, M., Harvey, B., Australian Chamber, O. (2010). Quintet op.16. Sensational Sundays Series. Verburgghen Hall, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
  • Barnes, A., Oguey, A., Harvey, B. (2010). Trio pour piano, hautbois et bassoon. Cocktail Hour Concert. Recital Hall West, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
  • Benedict, R., Boersma, K., Harvey, B., Dauth, M., Hewgill, K. (2010). Trout Quintet. Sydney Soloists. Government House, Sydney, Australia: Historic Houses Trust.

2009

  • Harvey, B., Celata, F., Wallfisch, R. (2009). 1. Fantasy Pieces, Op 73 2. 5 Pieces in Folk Style, Op 102 3. Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op 114. ABC Live. Goosens Auditorium, Sydney, Australia: ABC Classic FM.
  • Harvey, B., Edwardes, C. (2009). 1. Fragment 2. China Gates 3. Ragtime Robin 4. Rainbow Ripples 5. Ritual Protocol. Sunday Live with Marian Arnold. Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney, Australia: ABC Classic FM.
  • Harvey, B. (2009). 2. Bagatelles (1-5 Threnody - For all the innocent victims). Sensational Sundays: The Key to Vine. Verbrugghen Hall, SCM, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

2008

  • Clone-Still-SCM, C., Romo, R., Celata, F., Carson, A., Harvey, B., Dixon, W. (2008). 1. Flute Quartet No.1 in D Major, K.285 2.Trois Poemes de Stephane Mallarme. Sunday Premieres. Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney, Australia: SCM.
  • Yeadon, D., Leonard, C., Cole, S., Harvey, B. (2008). 1. Kazan Votives 2. Quartet. House Music Series. Government House, Sydney, Australia: The Collective Ensemble, House Music Series.
  • Druery, J., Coogan, D., Atherton, M., Paine, G., Blom, D., Miller, D., Dean, R., Harvey, B., Smith, H., Latujefu, L., et al (2008). Music of the Spirit. On , 2 CDs, Wollongong, Australia: Wirripang.

2015 Performances

Crowder Hall, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona USA, 23 March 2015

Auer Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington Illinois USA, 25 March 2015

Ciminelli Room, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, USA, 28 March 2015

Programs in these performances featured Australian and American works, including the US premiere of Ross Edwards’ Piano Sonata (2011), Carl Vine’s Anne Landa Preludes and Carl Vine's Piano Sonata 1.

In the media

Bernadette’s current interests in neuroplasticity in the maturing musician’s brains aims todeepen understanding through visualising (imaging) technology. She was included as a panelist alongside neuroscientists from the University's Brain and Mind Centre, at a Sydney Ideas event for Innovation Week.