Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

The work was commissioned in 2010 by Christopher Bearman (OAM), Director of the Central Coast Conservatorium, through the generous assistance of the NSW Ministry of the Arts. The general idea being to create a contemporary work involving the CCSO; Mr. Bearman mentioned that the work could depict some of the cultural demographics on the CC, pointing to a celebration of cultures.

The result is a double concerto for guitar, piano and orchestra. It is based on the Silk Road theme, which is the opening track on the CD 2@1 (Birdland); a guitar/piano collaboration between pianist Matt McMahon and I that received an AIR Nomination for Best Jazz release in 2008.

My intention is to portray, or at least create, a sonic reference to the famous Silk Road trade route. The concerto embodies Iberian, Middle Eastern, Indian Classical and East Asian melodic and rhythmic influences; I have intertwined elements of these traditions with improvisation and jazz harmonic structures to create aesthetics that hopefully embrace both tradition and innovation. 

Featured non-Australian music: Rachmaninov

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (02) 4324 7477

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Jazz/improvisation by Guy Strazz
• Jazz/improvisation by Matt McMahon
• Performer Central Coast Symphony Orchestra
• Performer Christopher Bearman