Creative Collaborations – How Composers and Performers Work Together

If you ever wondered how composers and performers negotiate the process of working together to create a piece of music which fulfils the vision of the composer whilst showcasing the talents of the performer, then explore the relationship between the two at Classically Speaking a free event organised by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre in which the culture of collaboration in creating and captivating composer/performer relationships will be explored.

Whilst in centuries past composers performed their own works, the 2oth and 21st centuries have brought a marked a divide between composers and performers. It seems all the more important to create a congruence when both members of the equation are living and accessible to each other.

For many composers, working collaboratively with performers can be the key to bringing their work to audible life. It is also an invaluable way to build a profile, as well as develop new skills in writing for performers and ensembles, and in some relationships, can open up completely new approaches to composition.

It promises to be a stimulating evening featuring three performers in discussion with composers with whim they have collaborated:

• Long time collaborators Ensemble Offspring’s Artist Directors, percussionist Claire Edwardes and composer Damien Ricketson  who have just launched their new Hatched Academy, which will develop the collaborative skills of emerging artists.
• James Eccles from The NOISE, with Lyle Chan, one of 7 composers they recently commissioned to compose for ‘improvising string quartet’.
• Pianist Zubin Kanga, who has centred much of his work as a performer, as well as his doctoral research, around composer/performer collaborations, with composer Alex Pozniak, who has a long history of collaboration with Zubin.

The panel will be moderated by the Australian Music Centre’s CEO, John Davis, and will explore topics including:

• How working in collaboration changes the composer/performer divide
• How to make collaborations more fruitful
• When collaboration turns into co-creation
• The impacts of collaboration on the future performance life of a work
• Initiating valuable collaborations
• Existing collaboration opportunities

Entry is free but places are limited. Call: 9935 7722 for enquiries.