Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Two world premiere performances of works by Edward Cowie - “Harlequin Dances” and a “Duo for flute and harp (name tba)” - will be centrepieces of the concert. Cowie has a long history of writing for both flute and for harp, so his understanding and idiomatic writing stands out. It will be exciting to hear how he combines his love for the two instruments into one work. This concert is also a rare opportunity for Canberrans to hear two other unusual and evocative solo harp works: “Harp Body Her Body” was commissioned by the Phoenix Foundation and was premiered in 2019 at Phoenix Central Park. Watch the video. This extraordinary work combines movement, gesture, and vocalisations, into a harp-led ceremonial journey. Mary Doumany is a harpist (amongst numerous other talents), and her affinity with the essential nature of the instrument is abundantly clear. “Breath Dance” was commissioned by the Four Winds Festival and premiered by Alice Giles at the Festival in 2018. Inspired by the sounds of the wind through harp strings, the piece uses recorded wind harp sound, enhanced by humming into the back of the harp and bowing of strings, setting up an other-worldy atmosphere. One other world premier performance will conclude the program: Gerard Brohpy’s “Bubuk Nocturne” for flute and harp was composed in 2021 (commissioned by Catherine Mairs). The influence of Brophy’s time spent in Istanbul is evident in the rhythm and harmony in this effective new addition to the repertoire.

Featured non-Australian music: Timothy Geller: Breath Dance (2018) for harp and tape

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Alice Giles
• Performer Laura Chislett