Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Martin Wesley-Smith’s witty take on the French children’s song 'Frère Jacques', alias Brother Jack, is full of jazzy harmonies, quirky rhythms and subtle humour. It is a perfect illustration of the French-Australian theme of this exciting piano program, as is Wendy Hiscock’s new arrangement of Saint-Saëns' famous Danse Macabre where the devil plays a violin to conjure skeletons from their grave for a midnight ball.

Ross Edwards’s Flight of Sunbirds evokes the sounds of the Australian bush and birds while Melbourne composer Stuart Greenbaum's But I want the Harmonica makes time stand still with his meditative, minimalist sound. Two of Elena Kats-Chernin's delightful piano works explore the links between classical and popular music. Back to France, with the sister’s brilliant rendition of Poulenc's lively Sonata and Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnol, which takes the audience on a journey to Spain, where the atmospheric music evokes a balmy evening with dancing and a lively village celebration.

Performing together from a young age, Sarah and Elizabeth Watson celebrate the unique possibilities of their instrument through inspirational performances of piano duet and solo repertoire. Their commitment to Australian Music is evident in their skilful and poignant interpretations of contemporary Australian works. After following musical paths on opposite sides of the world, the sisters re-unite in 2009 for an exciting performance series showcasing both classical and contemporary music of France and Australia. Following the success of four regional and metropolitan Victorian concerts and the opening of the International Piano Festival at the Murray Conservatorium in Albury, the sisters will perform their program in Europe in spring 2009. They are delighted to be giving European premiers of a number of Australian works.

Featured non-Australian music: Poulenc, Ravel

Further information for this event is available or by email to info@watsonduo.com

Featured Australian Works

	A flight of sunbirds : nine bagatelles for piano duet (2001) by Ross Edwards — performed by Elizabeth Watson and Sarah Watson
	Brother Jack : for piano (four hands) (1994) by Martin Wesley-Smith
	But I want the harmonica... (solo piano) (1996) by Stuart Greenbaum
	Dance Macabre (Saint-Saëns) : (yet to be assigned) (2003) by Wendy Hiscocks
	Get well rag (solo piano) (1998) by Elena Kats-Chernin
	Purple prelude : for piano (1996) by Elena Kats-Chernin

Featured artists

• Performer Sarah Watson
• Performer Elizabeth Watson