The inimitable sounds of Ross Edwards are spilling from concert halls all around Australia as we celebrate Edwards’ 80th birthday year. The composer himself has been busy, commissioned respectively by Omega Ensemble and Sydney Symphony Orchestra to compose two new works. These two premieres, together with many other performances are providing audiences with multiple opportunities to experience live concerts presenting Edwards’ works. We are so proud to be honouring Edwards’ significant contribution to music and to explore the concerts featuring his works.
In May, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra performed Edwards’ Veni Creator Spiritus in a program titled Higher Power at the Melbourne Recital Centre. The performance was reviewed by Stewart Kelly in ‘Classic Melbourne’:
From the very first bar of Veni Creator Spiritus one was transported to the unmistakable world of Ross Edwards. The searching opening movement evokes the vast landscapes and big skies that Edwards often captures so beautifully. His signature ‘maninyas’ are ever present in the second movement, which displayed some impressive solo lines darting between all sections of the orchestra.
This was a worthy tribute to Edwards’ 80th birthday and his significant contribution to Australian music.
Premiere of Edwards’ Clarinet Concerto No 2
Omega Ensemble, with the support of Kim Williams AM, commissioned Edwards to compose a second Clarinet Concerto to be performed by the ensemble with David Rowden on clarinet.
This exciting premiere will be presented to Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle audiences across June and July in a program that includes another Wise Music work: Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto No 2 ‘ The American Four Seasons’.
Dates and venues:
Sydney – Tuesday 20 June 2023, 7.30pm; City Recital Hall
Newcastle – Saturday 1 July 2023, 7.00pm; Newcastle City Hall
Melbourne – Wednesday 5 July 2023, 7.00pm; Melbourne Recital Centre
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
Ecstatic Dances (omegaensemble.com.au)
Premiere of Edwards’ Bennelong Caprices
In August, the long anticipated orchestral commission by Sydney Symphony Orchestra will receive its premiere. Edwards’ new work, Bennelong Caprices, will be performed with other works including his Oboe Concerto, Bird Spirit Dreaming (with soloist Diana Doherty).
Dates and venue:
Friday 11 August 2023, 8.00pm; Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Saturday 12 August 2023, 8.00pm; Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
Diana Doherty performs Ross Edwards | Sydney Symphony Orchestra
In October, the UNSW Australia Ensemble will perform Edwards’ White Cockatoo Spirit Dance in a program titled ‘Carnival of the Animals’.
Date and venue: 21 October 2023, Sir John Clancy Auditorium
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
Australia Ensemble UNSW 2023 Subscription Concert: Carnival of the Animals | Music Performance
This November, Edwards’ Tyalgum Mantras will be performed by Steel City Strings in three concerts on the south coast and southern highlands of New South Wales.
Dates and venues:
12 November 2023, 2.00pm; Burrawang School of Arts, 33-35 Hoddle Street, Burrawang
18 November 2023, 7.30pm; Wollongong Town Hall Corner Crown & Kembla Streets, Wollongong
19 November 2023, 2.00pm; Nowra School of Arts, Berry Street, Nowra
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
To round out this celebratory list of performances in honour of this truly wonderful composer, Balmain Sinfonia will perform Edwards’ Chorale and Ecstatic Dance in Sydney in December.
Date and venue:
Saturday 2 December 2023, 5.00pm; Congress Hall, 140 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
Rachmaninov Symphony No.2 – Balmain Sinfonia
