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MEDIA RELEASE
31 August 2009
NEW GLOBAL MUSIC OMNIBUS TRAVELS HIGHWAY 101
Australia has embarked on an epic undertaking to generate more than 100 new musical works that will influence
public appreciation around the globe.
The project, called 101 Compositions for 100 Years, aims to inspire a mix of exponents in music composition –
from international masters to budding apprentices.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, part of the University of Sydney, is working with Ars Musica Australis and
a group of financial supporters to drive the ambitious, unprecedented scheme, which will run for the next six
years.
Compositions will be commissioned every year through to 2015 – the centenary of the Conservatorium.
The 100th composition in the series will have special significance. It will honour the gallantry and
sacrifices of Australian soldiers and support services at Gallipoli – the centenary of the fateful landing
is in 2015.
The project has commissioned an eminent Australian composer to produce this major work.
Five new works are already in the “Pantheon” for 2009, including the chamber ensemble version of Mr
Tambourine Man (based on the poetry of Bob Dylan), by international, award-winning John Corigliano, and a
piano Sonata for Four Hands, by Sydney’s Carl Vine.
The Con’s Modern Music Ensemble will perform the world premiere of Mr Tambourine Man scored for a Pierrot
Lunaire ensemble on 11 September, while Con pianists Paul Rickard-Ford and Natalia Sheludiakova will
premiere the CARL VINE Sonata in November.
“This is a new century and as educators, performers and scholars we encourage the development of 101 new
works that can be specifically and contextually devoted to the epoch,” said Dean and Principal of The Sydney
Conservatorium of Music, Professor Kim Walker.
“Many of today’s composers have been impacted by music of the past 100 years, so it makes sense to bring
them together to impact the next 100, in the knowledge that the world can never have enough beautiful, vivid
and inspiring music.
“Importantly, our students will be speaking the musical language of the future through their direct involvement
with these masters.
“Our Patrons, the Faculty Taskforce and I believe it is a fabulous and meaningful way of celebrating The Con’s
100th anniversary, but rather than wait for 2015 we decided to bring it on annually from now.
“We hope and believe it will generate joy and a profound experience for music lovers everywhere, now and 100
years or more into the future.”
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The 101 compositions will be compiled from seven International marquee composers; eight Australian marquee
composers; 16 significant Australian composers; and 70 Australian composers.
The new works, embracing classical through to contemporary styles, span all genres - including orchestral,
modern music ensembles, choirs, percussion ensembles, opera and jazz big band. These works will also involve
all 43 musical instruments and voice taught at the Conservatorium.The vast majority of new works will premiere
in Australia, many of them at The Con.
The inaugural international composer for the project, John Corigliano, has won three Grammys, the Pulitzer
Prize and an Academy Award for his score for the 1997 film “The Red Violin”. His works have been performed by
some of the most prominent orchestras, soloists and chamber musicians in the world; and he even has a string
quartet named after him.
Carl Vine, is one of the country’s most respected and original composers, with an expansive catalogue spanning
orchestral, chamber and dance music and works for film, television and theatre, complemented by his roles as
Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia and of the Huntington Estate Music Festival.
Co-Patron, Rev Dr Arthur Bridge, the founder Ars Musica Australis, believes the project reflects the important
place Australia’s men and women of music have in the world.
“The commissioning of these new works will resonate to all parts of the globe and across performance
structures and education, and reach countless numbers of people,” said Rev Bridge, who has commissioned
hundreds of new Australian compositions over many years. He has been appointed a Member of the General
Division of the Order of Australia and received the Premier’s Award for his achievements.
“The beautiful thing is that the new works in all genres are not one-off performances...such very strong and
significant works will have a long and fulfilling life that will please audiences for many decades.”
As part of the project, tertiary students around Australia are being encouraged to participate in an annual
national competition to nurture new works that will be in the running for inclusion in the final 101 new works.
Media inquiries Scott Saunders 02 9351 1298 or Graham Cassidy, Cato Counsel, 0419 202317
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