MEDIA RELEASE
12 November 2009
A (DI)VINE CONCERT WHERE FOUR HANDS ARE BETTER THAN TWO
The musical mastery of Paul Rickard-Ford and Natalia Sheludiakova, buttressed by their love of
music, will be to the fore when they combine for a world premiere performance of a new piano
sonata by eminent Sydney composer Carl Vine.
The concert at The Con on 22 November will be a major showcase for the Conservatorium’s 101
Compositions for 100 Years project.
Vine, who boasts five string quartets, three piano sonatas, seven symphonies and seven concertos in
his catalogue, is the inaugural Australian marquee composer for the project.
His commissioned work Sonata for Four Hands will provide the internationally renowned Rickard-
Ford and Sheludiakova with a rich tapestry for creating a tour de force of four-handed piano.
The pair has been playing duets together for five years and see themselves as having created a
unique bond, despite coming from different cultural backgrounds.
“For us, music is an ability to communicate…of giving and receiving responses,” comments Rickard-
Ford, The Con’s Chair of Keyboard and senior lecturer, and a resident of Alexandria.
“Music is not just our profession, it is a purpose in life. What music does is foster an art form;
impacts on our way of thinking; our culture, artistic appreciation.”
Sheludiakova, a Con lecturer who lives in Croydon, says: “We are very much looking forward to this
concert…it is all new and inspirational. And importantly, it is a part of the 101 compositions project.
“For us, all levels of music pass on messages ...music is a special thinking.”
The 101 Compositions for 100 Years project is part of the lead-up to the 100th anniversary of The Con
in 2015.
Vine has 20 scores for classical dance, an impressive catalogue of chamber music and varied
compositions for film, television and theatre to his credit.
As an Adjunct Professor for 2009, he is giving masterclasses and lectures for students and wider
audiences on music writing for a range of genres, including film.
Vine will feature in a conversation on his career and offer insights into the contemporary music
scene, with Guy Noble on 17 November at 6.30pm at The Con
Media inquiries to Scott Saunders, SCM, 93511298 or Graham Cassidy, Cato Counsel, 0419 202317
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