CONTENT COURTESY ANAM
To round off 2024, the musicians of ANAM present a festival of Australian music, Sounds of Australia.
This year’s festival will explore homegrown music with works from across the nation, many that are making their way to ANAM for the first time.
From well known and loved works such as The Incredible Floridas by Richard Meale, to world premiere pieces from the likes of Kate Tempany and Brenda Gifford, explore the sounds of Australia this November.
A New Energy and On Tradition
The first performance of the festival explores the rich tapestry of European musical influences intertwined with First Nations connections and avant-garde innovations in the Australian sound. Audiences can expect an exciting program featuring works by Sutherland, Gifford, Grainger, and Harvey, highlighting the fusion of traditional and modern soundscapes.
In the second program, contemporary Australian composers Miriama Young, Anne Cawrse, Richard Mills, and Rachel Bruerville bring their unique voices to the stage, reflecting the land’s enduring rhythms, resilience, and playful spirit. These works offer a fresh perspective on Australia’s cultural landscape, blending timeless inspiration with modern musical techniques.
Thursday 28 November 7pm
Friday 29 November 7pm
Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent
Our Sound and Sacred Sky
In the Saturday afternoon performance of the festival, journey through Australia’s current musical world with Holly Harrison’s Airbender, a vibrant piece channeling raw energy, and Stuart Greenbaum’s 800 Million Heartbeats, a reflective work contemplating life’s fragility.
The festival concludes with Sacred Sky, a powerful final concert featuring Nigel Westlake’s stunningly beautiful String Quartet No. 3 Sacred Sky and the world premiere of Kate Tempany’s Wimmera-Mallee. This piece offers a mesmerising fusion of Australian landscapes and Hindustani music, brought to life by ANAM musicians alongside Adrian McNeil on the sarod. These works promise a captivating exploration of place, culture, and connection, rounding off the festival with a celebration of both local and global influences on the Australian sound.
Saturday 30 November 3pm and 7pm
Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent
Visit the ANAM website for bookings to the Sounds of Australia festival performed by ANAM musicians.
Image supplied. Credit Pia Johnson.
