SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music has announced eight composers whose work will be performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in July.
This year there’s an equal spread of female and male composers. The 2019 NZ Composer Sessions will be recorded by RNZ Concert in July.
composer Kirsten Strom Photo: Supplied
A mixture of new and established composers has been named. They are Brigid Bisley, Reuben Jelleyman, Lucien Johnson, Alissa Long, Kit Powell, Tabea Squire, Kirsten Strom and Anthony Young.
SOUNZ Executive Director Diana Marsh says she’s delighted a number of women have been selected to have their compositions performed and recorded this year. “Often we don’t have many women applying at all,” she says. “it’s an excellent outcome.”
Among the female composers is Brigid Bisley. It’s the first time her work has been recorded. “I feel honoured to have had my work selected. There are very few opportunities available for composers to get new work performed,” she says.
Brigid Bisley Photo: Supplied
It’s the 20th year of the NZ Composer Sessions, with more than 60 composers having 142 compositions performed and recorded during that time.
Many composers in the NZ Composer Sessions have gone on to have their works performed by other international orchestras and music groups. Past participants include Philip Norman, Anthony Ritchie, Chris Gendall, Salina Fisher, Jack Body, Leonie Holmes and Gillian Whitehead.
Tabea Squire Photo: Eustie Kamath
The compositions will be performed in front of an invited audience in July at the Michael Fowler Centre and will be filmed for the SOUNZ website.
Barry Vercoe’s METAMORPHOSES will also be recorded.
2019 SOUNZ Composer Session includes:
Brigid Bisley: Glimmer of Blue
Reuben Jelleyman: Vespro
Lucien Johnson: Axum
Alissa Long: The Corner of the War
Kit Powell: Na Māui te Ahi a te Ao
Tabea Squire: Variations
Kirsten Strom: Ice
Anthony Young: On Hearing the Shining Cuckoo
