BY SIX-FOUR, AS TOLD TO STEPHANIE ESLAKE
When I first heard about six-four’s upcoming gig, I was like: This is seriously awesome. The art music-loving sextet scored a grant from the University of Melbourne’s IgniteLab Creativity Fund, and has commissioned two new works from composers Kezia Yap and Jake Donohue.
And now the musicians are going to present these works in a world premiere performance, which you’ll get to see.
Seriously. It’s exciting stuff.
So here at CutCommon, we thought we’d weigh in on the fun and find out how some of the performers are looking forward to the show, too. We hear from three of six-four’s starring musicians, who tell us why they can’t wait to bring you their concert Bloom on 13 October.
Anna Tefler
Anna Telfer is the resident flautist of six-four. She is in her honours year of performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music while pursuing her keen interest in piccolo and new chamber music. Other areas of expertise and delight include dogs, and great cheeses.
Why I’m totally looking forward to six-four
This concert has been so challenging to put together both musically and logistically. But, no matter the occasional stresses, it’s a joy to be a part of it. It’s a privilege to be able to commission these two new works and support emerging Australian composers, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone else!
I feel really lucky to be surrounded by creative individuals who I take inspiration from everyday. The thing I love most about our group is we can be completely uninhibited with our ideas, and yet everyone will say: ‘Heck yeah! Let’s give it a go.’ It’s that attitude that makes me proud to be a member of six-four.
Oliver Iacono
Oliver Iacono is 22 years old and recently completed a Bachelor of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. As a composer, he received the 2016 Dr Allan Zavod Composition Award and has attended the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp. He is also an active percussionist and previously was a member of the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as principal percussionist. In 2018, Oliver is pursuing his own songwriting and recording project at home.
Why I’m totally looking forward to six-four
I think, ultimately, the only box we’ve locked ourselves into is playing new music – something we’re all very passionate about. So we have a lot of freedom to do whatever we want, however and whenever we want.
We have a core group of six people, but many of our concerts have used more players. We’ve covered many subgenres of contemporary music, and done so in various concert venues and settings. It means our audience, which we aim to grow with every concert, can expect to hear something very different to what we’ve done before with each program.
It also keeps it interesting for us as performers!
Tom D’Ath
In his final year of his undergraduate degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, clarinettist Tom D’Ath finds himself comfortable in any musical situation. His upbringing through the music program at Eltham High School exposed him to a wide range of musical styles and ensembles including jazz, classical chamber music, wind band, and solo performance. This year, Tom finds himself performing with the MCM Wind Symphony, University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and MCM New Music Studio; along with chamber groups such as Ensemble Contineo, and, of course, six-four.
Why I’m totally looking forward to six-four
The biggest thing I look forward to when playing with six-four is working in such a collaborative environment. It’s the longest I’ve played with one ensemble, and it’s becoming more and more noticeable to me now (two years after forming) that there are distinct advantages to working with the same group of people for an extended period of time.
From a rehearsal standpoint, it’s become far more efficient process of working through repertoire. Performance decisions within a rehearsal are made democratically, and then all six of us commit to the idea. This also extends into the roles that each of us take responsibility for outside the rehearsal. I split my time between social media and audio-visual capture of the group, which contrasts the other skillsets within the group. Even programming is a group decision, with fairly long, drawn-out conversations about what exactly we are trying to achieve or convey.
For the actual performance itself, I’m psyched to be performing these new works by Jake and Keza. They’ve both provided us these beautiful, contrasting works that I can’t wait to show.
six-four: Bloom will take place at 6pm October 13 in the Grant St Theatre.
Make sure you rock up for the pre-performance chat with Jake Donohue (composer), Chloe Sanger (who you might know as one of our fab contributors), and percussionist Madi Chwasta. six-four also features Alex Clayton (piano) and Oscar Woinarski (cello).
Images supplied.
