People

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.

“Arundo Donax Me Why (it’s a reed pun): a bunch of music, almost entirely featuring reed instruments, that’s stuck with me as a country boy who ended up playing about the most arcane, un-country instrument in the orchestra, bookended by two ripper concertos for it.”

“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.”

“I’m David Flynn, I play the double bass with the CSO, occasionally guitar or bass guitar if the right gig comes up. My first CSO gig was back in 1992, playing mandolin in a Prom concert. I made my bass debut in 1993. During the day, I’m found in the CSO office, either on the telephone selling tickets or doing the ‘behind the scenes’ work that enables a ticket to be sold.”

“Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet is one of the reasons I became a musician…lyrical, dramatic, melancholy, formally disciplined while at the same time full of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion – it’s just one of my favourite pieces in the whole world.”

“As I listen to the music and write these notes, I’m sitting outside on my deck, absorbing the sights and sounds of this lush springtime amongst rural bliss. The garden is flourishing and fragrant, wildlife abounds and the boronia and roses form a beautiful foreground to the mountains in the distance.” – Leanne Bear, CSO Violin

“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.”

I am delighted to present to you the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 concert season, my…

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Sharing my thoughts about this Australian Series feels more like writing a love letter than…