Australian Music

Ahead of the Australian premiere of his work LOGOS, Jessica asks composer Benjamin de Murashkin about improvisation in classical music and the role of the arts in science.

“For this mixtape, I wanted to share with you the brilliant artists that inspire me but also dedicate a few works to thank the people who have inspired us all – particularly throughout the year 2020, but also those who have gone before us.”

Written for 5-string electric cello and effects, SpaceWarp conjures up space-inspired and intergalactic imagery. The sound of the cello is quite literally ‘warped’ by effects, particularly delay, creating a kind of wrinkle in time and space.

“This flute solo was written in contemplation of that alignment while under stage 4 curfew restrictions in Melbourne. We can’t walk out the front gate after 8pm – but we can still look up into the evening sky and marvel at the Universe.” – Stuart Greenbaum, composer

“At times it has seemed impossible to keep this mixtape under two hours…I’ve settled on a playlist of recordings that have, at one point or another, had a profound impact on my development as a musician and of which I can’t help but smile (or cry) when I listen to them.”

Christopher Sainsbury writes songs, choral pieces, chamber pieces, orchestral pieces, jazz and surf music, and enjoys it all. He might explore regional identity through his work, or Indigenous narratives, contemporary guitar techniques, and at times jazz influences may be found articulating through his work.

“Distant Solo was commissioned by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra soon after the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia. It forms part of the online Australian Miniseries, a collection of 15 new works for solo instrument. Amid concert cancellations, this project was a sign of hope for composers, performers, listeners, music makers and facilitators behind the scenes.” – Elena Kats-Chernin AO, composer

“Good music should go beyond just sounding beautiful. The pieces in this mixtape elicit memories, inspire me to be a better person, or just feel so real I can nearly feel the notes! Many of these works were inspired by stories or historical events. Others elicit personal, visual landscapes associated with particular memories from when I first heard them. My hope is that these pieces help you to find time to recall and enjoy past memories, or find new inspiration in your future endeavours.”