New music ensemble pays tribute to Percy Grainger

Dr Mark Carroll with a copy of his book <i>Self-Portrait of Percy Grainger</i>.

Dr Mark Carroll with a copy of his book Self-Portrait of Percy Grainger.
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Thursday, 14 July 2011

A new contemporary music ensemble established at the University of Adelaide will pay tribute to Australian composer and pianist Percy Grainger when it debuts in a free public concert at Elder Hall on Thursday 21 July.

Soundstream Collective blends the genres of creative writing and music under the artistic direction of international concert pianist Gabriella Smart, the 2010 Ruby Award winner and 2011 Churchill Fellow.

Formed with a $100,000 University of Adelaide grant, Soundstream Collective will incorporate video, performance, dance, narration and contemporary music, engaging audiences with a fresh and innovative style.

"Adelaide audiences will be treated to something really different with this new music ensemble," says Gabriella.

The University grant will fund new works by emerging composers from the Elder Conservatorium of Music and also fund a series of eight public performances over the next two years.

Next week's free concert will celebrate the close friendship and collaboration of Percy Grainger and Norwegian composer Edward Grieg to mark the 50th anniversary of Grainger's death.

A Ramble on Love will be performed by internationally-renowned contemporary music cellist John Addison and Gabriella Smart (piano) and will include a narrative presented by Dr Mark Carroll, Grainger historian and University of Adelaide music lecturer.

Percy Grainger is considered Australia's most prolific composer, writing more than 200 works, including his signature piece Country Gardens, as well as promoting medieval European music and English folk music.

In 2006 Dr Carroll co-authored the award-winning book Self-Portrait of Percy Grainger with Professor Malcolm Gillies, a former pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, and Dr David Pear, formerly a senior lecturer at Monash University.

"This concert will be a real celebration of Grainger's life," Gabriella says. "It is not well known that he is buried in West Terrace Cemetery next to his mother Rose, the daughter of an Adelaide hotel-keeper. Grainger's great nephew, George Aldridge, will also have memorabilia on show in the Elder Hall foyer on the night of the concert."

WHAT: Debut concert for Soundstream Collective: A Ramble on Love
WHERE: Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus
WHEN: 7.30pm Thursday 21 July 2011
COST: Free
BOOKINGS: Seats must be reserved by calling 8313 3086 or emailing art.heritage@adelaide.edu.au

The concert will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

 

Contact Details

Dr Gabriella Smart
Email: gabriella.smart@adelaide.edu.au
Artistic Director, Soundstream Collective
Elder Conservatorium of Music
University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8272 1413
Mobile: 0409 673 585


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762