Symphonic Soloists Stand Out!

Symphonic Soloists Stand Out!

2006 SOUNZ Contemporary Award Finalists Announced

Three orchestral works, each featuring a soloist, have been chosen as finalists for the 2006 SOUNZ Contemporary Award.

They are Releasing the Angel by Eve de Castro-Robinson for cello and orchestra, Tumbu by Dylan Lardelli for clarinet and orchestra and Symphony No. 2 for mezzo soprano and orchestra by Ross Harris.

³The jury were impressed by the number of large-scale public works this year, and the fact that these were being written by both well-established and younger, emerging composers,² reports Scilla Askew, Executive Director of SOUNZ, Centre for New Zealand Music. ³The 22 submitted works were highly diverse ranging from dance and choral pieces to chamber and electroacoustic music. The jury felt that the majority of these works displayed a standard that matched the prestige represented by this award.²

The first two works were both commissioned by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of an ongoing project to showcase their principal players as soloists. Releasing the Angel featured NZSO principal cellist David Chickering in its premiere while Tumbu featured NZSO principal clarinettist Patrick Barry. Ross Harris is Composer in Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia and his Symphony No. 2 was premiered by this orchestra in a performance which featured the outstanding young New Zealand mezzo Madeleine Pierard.

The SOUNZ Contemporary Award, consisting of a trophy sculpted by Auckland artist Sarah Smuts Kennedy and $3000, is the major annual prize celebrating creative excellence by a New Zealand composer. The SOUNZ Contemporary Award is a collaborative project between APRA, the Australasian Performing Right Association and SOUNZ, Centre for New Zealand Music. SOUNZ administers the award and convenes a jury of four music professionals to judge the entries.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 20th September as part of the APRA Silver Scrolls Award evening. The four other awards presented on the night are the APRA Silver Scroll Award, the APRA Maioha Award, the Most Performed Work Overseas and the Most Performed Work in New Zealand.

ENDS

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