Sydney Chamber Choir And Synergy Celebrate Ross Edwards

Sydney Chamber Choir joins forces with percussion virtuosi Synergy to present Dance Chant – Celebrating Ross Edwards to commemorate the 75th birthday and legacy of one of Australia’s greatest and most-loved composers.

Dance Chant – Celebrating Ross Edwards includes his joyous works for voice and percussion as well as music by composers who have most inspired him – from the mystical Hildegard von Bingen in 12th Century Rhineland to Australia’s own Peter Sculthorpe.

“My music springs from sounds and patterns I hear in the natural environment as well as drawing from life-affirming cultural traditions from around the world…My aim is to make music that communicates vividly and penetrates the mind and soul of the listener. Turning 75 is a significant milestone, but I still have very much more work to do!” says Ross Edwards.

This tribute concert also includes key works by Paul Stanhope and Clare Maclean – composers who in turn have found inspiration in Ross’ dancing rhythms and transcendent harmonies – as well as two newly commissioned pieces by young Australian composers Josephine Gibson and Olivia Swift. Paul Stanhope will conduct his own works, Agnus Dei and Deserts of Exile, with Nicholas Routley conducting Clare Maclean’s Christ the King.

In a full team turnout, the Dance Chant program, crafted by Sydney Chamber Choir’s Music Director Richard Gill, will be conducted by the Choir’s two former Music Directors, Nicholas Routley and Paul Stanhope, as well as Sam Allchurch who takes up the role next year.

Dance Chant features three songs from Edwards’ perennially popular Ab Estasis Foribus, a selection from his landmark rhythmical works, Flower Songs and the Maninya (dance-chant) series, along with Mountain Chant, which grew from his perception of Australia’s need for spiritual regeneration.

“The Sydney Chamber Choir has been performing the wondrous music of Ross Edwards almost from our start in 1975,” said founder Nicholas Routley. “He and our Choir have also long collaborated with Australia’s brilliant ensemble, Synergy Percussion: the synergy between all three has been a singular driving force in Australian music for many years. Expect a very special musical celebration of great rhythmic vitality but also profound stillness.”

Tickets: From $50 ($45/$25)

Bookings or call (02) 8256 2222