Demons and ghosts face an epic battle in Australia’s haunting new concerto
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE, CHRISTOPHER LEON In a normal concerto, the soloist will begin with a familiar routine. “You come on, you shake hands with the […]
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Writer-musicians bring the latest from Australia’s classical and new music scene
The music of Philip Glass has never been more hypnotic
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE The first time I hit ‘play’ on Erwan Keravec’s recordings, I find it hard to convince myself that I’m listening to a […]
Emma Donovan: “These are the songs that I stand on”
BY LILY BRYANT At my local pub, there’s a jazz gig every Sunday afternoon. Over three hours, the punters will shuffle from Newtown’s King Street […]
Theonie Wang is set to shine as concertmaster in ANAM’s major gala event
BY CUTCOMMON The Australian National Academy of Music isn’t like other institutions. While it works to advance the technical skills of its students, it also […]
“Record number” of young composers are flocking to Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE When I ask Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith why audiences should listen to the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, she responds without hesitation: because it’s “generous, […]
Discover how Pompeii’s ancient ruins inspired a new Australian composition
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE In 62CE, an earthquake shattered Pompeii. Then 17 years later, a volcanic eruption destroyed what remained of the city. The eruption of […]
Entering Forest Collective’s “hypnotic, enticing, spooky” dance-opera
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Sound, story, and movement come together in Labyrinth — Forest Collective’s dark dance-opera. The work had a sold-out debut in 2024, and […]
“Brokenness and healing”: Liza Lim shares the inspiration behind her new cello concerto
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE In the Japanese art of kintsugi, a broken piece of pottery is not discarded, but instead repaired with precious materials. Chipped edges […]
In conversation with Chloe Chua, soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1979. It’s the flagship orchestra for a country of around six million people. It’s been […]
How to write a compelling application for the Art Music Fund
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Each year, the APRA AMCOS Art Music Fund supports the creation of several new pieces of Australian and New Zealand music. With […]