2009 Classical Music Awards
The Australian contemporary classical music community celebrated the year's most outstanding achievements in an evening of live performances, inspiring speeches and moving tributes on Monday at the Sydney Opera House Playhouse Theatre. The eclectic list of winners reflects the extremely broad range of artistic innovation and the vibrancy of the new Australian music today. The Classical Music Awards were presented by the Australian Music Centre and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).
Pianist Michael Kieran Harvey received the award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music for his continuing contribution in the form of performances and recordings of Australian works at home and abroad.
Gwen Bennett's (pictured) dedication to Australian music was recognised with the presentation of the Long Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music. Founder of the ABC's Australian Music Unit, one of the most significant institutions supporting the production and dissemination of Australian performance and composition, Gwen has achieved visionary and long-term results for Australian music in a career spanning over 50 years. In her thank you speech, Bennett challenged ABC Classic FM to work towards a listener poll for the Top-100 Australian compositions.
Georges Lentz received the award for Best Composition by an Australian Composer for his richly orchestrated, moving work Monh. West Australian Symphony Orchestra won the award for the Best Performance of an Australian Composition with the performance of Carl Vine's exquisitely crafted Symphony No.7 Scenes from a Daily Life. Executive manager, artistic planning, Marshall McGuire (pictured) from WASO accepted the award on behalf of the orchestra.
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual was awarded to Riley Lee for his artistic direction of the 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival, its thoughtful and courageous programming and the artistic calibre of the performances.
Tura New Music and the Australian Art Orchestra received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area, for the 2008 Crossing Roper Bar Tour, presented by Tura New Music, the Young Wagilak Group (pictured) from Ngukurr, Arnhem Land, the Australian Art Orchestra, and Paul Grabowsky.
All finalists for Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation were commended for their remarkable achievement in promoting Australian music. The judges however, were unanimous on the exceptional nature of Topology's 2008 Brisbane Powerhouse Series. The series brought together a range of international artists and many nationally recognised Australian composers and performers.
The Southern Cross Soloists took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education for the Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School. The Southern Cross Soloists were recognised by the judging panel for the considerable time and effort spent in educational activities, particularly for emerging music artists in regional areas of the state. Tony Gould (pictured), David Jones and Imogen Manins were awarded the prestigious Instrumental Work of the Year for their piece The River meets the Sea. Graeme Koehne won Orchestral Work of the Year for Tivoli Dances. Vocal/Choral Work of the Year was presented to Lyn Williams for A Flock of Stars.
Hosted by the ABC Sunday Arts presenter Fenella Kernebone, the 2009 Awards featured performances by Sydney Children's Choir, Riley Lee and Marshall McGuire, Michael Keiran Harvey, the Young Wagilak Group and Australian Art Orchestra. Several state awards were announced and eleven national awards were presented by industry luminaries such as the Hon. Peter Garrett, Tony Gould, Tony Grybowski, Richard Letts, Peter Thompson and Nigel Westlake.
2009 Classical Music Awards - winners
Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education
Presented to Southern Cross Soloists for Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School
Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area
Presented to
Tura New Music and Australia Art Orchestra
for
2008 Crossing Roper Bar Tour
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Presented to Riley Lee for 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival
Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation
Presented to Topology
for
2008 Brisbane Powerhouse Series
Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music
Presented to Gwen Bennett
Instrumental Work of the Year
Presented to Tony Gould, David Jones and Imogen Manins for The River Meets the Sea
Orchestral Work of the Year
Presented to Graeme Koehne for Tivoli Dances
Vocal or Choral Work of the Year
Presented to Lyn Williams for A Flock of Stars
Best Performance of an Australian Composition
Presented to West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 7 Scenes from Daily Life
by Carl Vine
Best Composition by an Australian Composer
Presented to Georges Lentz for Monh
Distinguished Services to Australian Music
Presented to
Michael Kieran Harvey.
State Awards
New South Wales State Award
Presented to
Georges Lentz for Best Composition by an Australian Composer: Monh
Queensland State Award
Presented to Sunwater and Stanwell Music School by Southern Cross Soloists, for Outstanding Contribution in Education
Tasmania State Award
Presented to
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for TSO Australian Composers' School for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education
Victoria State Award
Presented to Richard Mills for Best Composition by an Australian Composer: String Quartet No. 3
Western Australia State Award
Presented to
West Australian Symphony Orchestra for Best Performance of an Australian Work: The Madness and Death of King Ludwig by James Ledger
News Archives and Press Releases
2009 Classical Music Awards: finalists - an article on Resonate magazine
Media release: 2009 Classical Music Awards (21 September)
