Melbourne Finalist Prize for Music Catalogue & 2016 Voting Slip
Finalist Exhibition Federation Square 7–21 November 2016
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The Melbourne Prize Trust is I would like to thank our pleased to present the Melbourne esteemed judging panel for their Prize for Music 2016 and Awards, time and dedication to the Prize. offered as part of the annual We are delighted to also have Melbourne Prize cycle. Chong Lim as an advisor. This year we are delighted Our finalists in all categories to provide opportunities for are showcased at the exhibition i n ibson Victorian musicians across all held between 7 and 21 November music genres. The 2016 program 2016, where a free catalogue is r on enson would not be possible without available. Vote for a finalist to win the generous support of all our the $4,000 Civic Choice Award partners and patrons – thank you 2016 on our website. one and all. The Trust is proud to have The Melbourne Prize for Music the Victorian Government, 2016 and Awards is one of the through Creative Victoria, and most valuable music prizes in the City of Melbourne, through Australia, with a prize and Melbourne Music Week 2016, award pool of over $130,000. as our Government Partners.
The Prize and Awards include Thank you to our Board for the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for their guidance, my colleague Music 2016, $30,000 Outstanding Sarah Kempson and our many Musicians Award 2016, $16,000 volunteers. Please refer to Development Award 2016 and our Acknowledgements on $4,000 Civic Choice Award 2016. page 60 in this catalogue. e Mi on on Two new categories are offered Simon H Warrender Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne es2 co u this year, which include the Executive Director $25,000 Beleura Award for Composition 2016 and the $20,000 Distinguished Musicians Fellowship 2016. melbourneprizetrust.org 8 Key Dates 9 Finalist Exhibition at Federation Square About the 7 to 21 November 2016 Winners Announced at melbourneprize.org Finalist 9 November 2016 Civic Choice Award 2016 Winner Announced at melbourneprize.org 25 November 2016 Exhibition To vote, please complete the Voting Slip in this Catalogue Thank you to the Annie Danks The finalist exhibition is held Federation Square is the principal Trust and the City of Melbourne, in the Atrium at Federation Exhibition and Events partner through Melbourne Music Square Melbourne – please and ‘home’ of the Melbourne Week 2016, for contributing refer to the exhibition map on Prize. This long-term partnership Flinders Street to the exhibition. the opposite page. makes it possible for the public, visiting the free public exhibition The exhibition showcases the each November, to engage with 2016 finalists in each category abundant talent in literature, and their music, which can also music and (urban) sculpture. be heard at melbourneprize.org The exhibition provides artists, The Voting Point for the Civic writers and musicians with public Alfred NGV Choice Award 2016 is located at exposure, in one of the country’s Deakin i Thank you to Premier Graphics the exhibition – see the Voting Slip most visited public spaces. Western Building for building the exhibition and in the catalogue on page 13. Terrace Creative Vision & Audio for their The Melbourne Prize Trust Atrium audio visual services. This 2016 finalist catalogue, the appreciates Federation exhibition and 2016 Melbourne Square’s generous support, Prize identity is designed by our which enhances our creative X Founding Partner Cornwell. resources and provides opportunities to promote our abundant artistic talent through the annual Melbourne Prize. Swanston Street
Transport The finalist catalogue is printed Hotel Yarra Deakin by Rothfield Print Management Building Edge with paper generously provided by Spicers.
Yarra River Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne
Photo: John Gollings Information Thank you to Coleby Consulting for their risk management support. Voting point and i catalogue stand Finalist Exhibition Location Map X Finalist Exhibition and catalogue stand Federation Square, Melbourne 10 Please refer to the finalists in 11 each category in this catalogue. Listen to the finalists music at the 2016 Prize Federation Square exhibition or & Awards at melbourneprize.org
Melbourne Prize Outstanding Musicians Beleura Award for Development Distinguished Musicians Civic Choice for Music 2016 Award 2016 Composition 2016 Award 2016 Fellowship 2016 Award 2016 $60,000 $30,000 $25,000 (new category) $16,000 $20,000 (new category) $4,000 (plus $2,500 Qantas voucher) Awarded to a Victorian musician, Awarded to a composition, by a Awarded to an emerging musician The Fellowship is a new category The Civic Choice Award 2016 will or group of musicians, who have Awarded to a Victorian musician, Victorian composer, of outstanding or group of musicians, aged 30 and will provide the winner with be awarded to the finalist with the made an outstanding contribution or group of musicians for recent musicianship, skill and creativity. years and under, who demonstrate a commercial engagement, to highest number of public votes. to Australian music and has work representing an outstanding All genres of composition are outstanding musical talent with the value of $20,000, with the Supported by enriched cultural and public life. example of creativity and skill. eligible. Supported by The Tallis the potential to develop their Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Foundation in memory of professional career. The Award and Melbourne Conservatorium Supported by Supported by John Tallis (1911-1996). consists of a $6,000 music of Music (MCM). Dr. Ron Benson instrument and equipment Supported by Supported by grant supported by Yamaha How to vote for the Civic Music Australia and $10,000 Choice Award 2016 cash supported by The William 1. Complete the Voting Slip in this Buckland Foundation. catalogue and post it in the Supported by letter box at the Voting Point Or 2. Visit melbourneprize.org and cast your vote online By casting a vote you will have a chance of winning an overnight stay at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne’s
hotel for the arts. Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne 13
Melbourne 13 Prize for Music 2016 Civic Choice Award 2016 Voting Slip
Please tear off and complete the form over the page and post it at the Voting Point at Federation Square – see page 8.
The $4,000 Civic Choice Award 2016 is to Postal votes may be made by completing be awarded to the finalist in the Melbourne this Voting Slip and mailing to: Prize for Music 2016 and Award categories Melbourne Prize Trust, with the most public votes. 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3006. You may vote for only ONE (1) of the twenty-five (25) finalists. Votes may be Please tick only ONE (1) box of the 25 cast by completing the Voting Slip over the finalists in the form over the page to vote. page and posting in the Voting Point at the Post the completed Voting Slip at the finalist exhibition from 7 November to 21 Voting Point in the Atrium (see location November 2016. Or you can vote online at map in the catalogue on page 11). melbourneprize.org The Civic Choice Award 2016 The recipient of the Civic Choice is supported by Readings.
Award 2016 will be announced Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne at melbourneprize.org on 25 November 2016. By voting you will have a chance of winning an overnight stay at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins – Melbourne’s ‘hotel for the arts’. Please tear off and post 15 Civic Choice at the Voting Point – see Award 2016 location map on page 8 Government Voting Slip Partners
Please fill in this Voting Slip, or Melbourne Prize Sofitel Overnight Stay go online to melbourneprize.org, for Music 2016 By voting you will have the and vote for your favourite finalist David Bridie chance to win an overnight stay to win the $4,000 Civic Choice Joe Camilleri at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins. Award 2016. Kutcha Edwards Lisa Lim The recipient of the Sofitel You may vote for only ONE (1) Adalita Srsen accommodation will be drawn of the following twenty-five (25) from completed catalogue finalists – please tick a box and Outstanding voting slips and online voting. provide your name and email Musicians The recipient will be notified address opposite. Award 2016 Lior Attar after the exhibition by email.
Briggs Please provide your name Sophia Brous and email address. Melbourne is one of the great “Without music,” it is said, Biddy Connor creative cities of the world. We have “life would be a mistake.” Name James Hullick a thriving music scene, dynamic arts No mistaking the pre-eminent Gareth Liddiard industry and we are a UNESCO City place that Melbourne and Victoria Kate Miller-Heidke Email of Literature. King Gizzard & hold as the nation’s music heartland. The Lizard Wizard For more than ten years, the annual In celebrating the creativity and PLEXUS Melbourne’s ‘hotel for the arts’, Melbourne Prize has made a contribution of our musicians across Scott Tinkler Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, significant contribution to the rich a range of genres, the Melbourne is donating the accommodation cultural life of our city. The Prize is all Prize for Music provides substantial Beleura Award for package for an overnight stay about celebrating creative excellence opportunities for local music Composition 2016 in a classic king room, including and talent and providing exceptional makers and offers inspiration Chris Dench a buffet breakfast for two and career development opportunities for for the next generation. Mary Finsterer valet parking. musicians, sculptors and writers from The Victorian Government is proud to Andrea Keller Melbourne and Victoria. Kate Neal One of Australia’s most luxurious partner with the Melbourne Prize Trust Anthony Pateras hotels, Sofitel Melbourne On We are delighted to be supporting the in presenting the Melbourne Prize Collins is located at the ‘Paris’ end exhibition of finalists in the Melbourne program. The awards befit a truly Development of Collins Street, in the heart of the Prize for Music Awards through creative state – one that recognises Award 2016 city’s premier dining, shopping Melbourne Music Week 2016. and rewards excellence and talent, Sophia Exiner and entertainment precincts, inspires creative development and Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne I congratulate the winners and wish Rory Burnside offering spectacular views over enriches public life. the finalists every success in their / Rudely Interrupted the city from every room. Gabriella Cohen future creative pursuits. Congratulations to all of this Matthias Schack–Arnott Supported by year’s finalists and thank you for Martin Cutter Tilman Robinson the contribution you make to our Acting Chief Executive Officer city and state. of Melbourne Martin Foley MP
Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Minister for Creative Industries 16 It was a great privilege to judge Seeing all of the beaming finalists 17 the Melbourne Prize for Music together at the launch was one of the first time in 2016. the proudest moments I’ve had in 20 years as a Victorian music The Melbourne Prize for Music is advocate, and it was exciting to very prestigious for a number of see many of them meeting each reasons. In particular, because it other and discussing their craft. is one of the few music prizes that I hope that this project might lead rewards all styles of contemporary to some exciting cross-genre music, and it rewards the best collaborations one day. musicians with significant cash prizes, at a time when even Victoria’s best musicians are undervalued and underpaid.
Patrick Donovan
CEO Music Victoria Chair, Australian Music Industry Network Judges Professor Paul Grabowsky AO
Pianist, Composer, Conductor, Director Monash Academy of Performing Arts
Once again, I find myself in the The Melbourne Prize represents fortunate position of joining the epitome of what we aspire esteemed colleagues in the to as a contemporary creative most enjoyable, and challenging, democracy: without prejudice opportunity one can experience toward genre, and with recognition as a jury member. of the many different processes that lead to successful musical outcomes, we have sought to recognise the significance of Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne great careers in music, while also encouraging promising artists in early career and the hard work of talented composers. The Melbourne Prize is without peer in Australia, and I am proud to be associated with it. Judges 18 Ronald Vermeulen 19 Being on a judging panel is an experience of sobering joy. Days Director of Artistic Planning, of glorious listening, marvelling at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra the breadth and depth of talent in Melbourne’s music scene. And then the inevitable, heart- wrenching conversations, as When Simon Warrender invited me I am deeply impressed by the the list is whittled down, and to be part of this year’s Melbourne wonderful kaleidoscope of music many talented people, doing Prize jury panel, I felt extremely and by the high quality level of the important work, are left to the honoured, especially given the fact entries. The aim of the Melbourne side – for the moment. that I consider myself still a novice Prize is to acknowledge and Genevieve To all who applied, thank you. regarding Australian music and promote artistic excellence. The Please know that your work was artists. Listening to the entries was nominees are artists who have Lacey met with gratitude and respect, and a real journey of discovery. And made important contributions to that what you do is integral to our discussing the final nominations Melbourne’s rich musical culture. Recorder Virtuoso, community. And to the Melbourne with my fellow jury members Their music has touched the heart Artistic Director Prize, thank you for honouring the provided me with important of many people far beyond the Photo: Monty Coles and Collaborator art-form we love, and for providing insights, especially in those areas borders of our city. A city that, gifts that can literally change the of the repertoire that are not my thanks to all these wonderful course of a life, and hence, the lives daily bread and butter. artists, is considered to be the of many listeners. most liveable one on the planet. Judges
Judges Marshall Helen Marcou
McGuire Co-founder Bakehouse Studios and SLAM Head of Artistic Planning, Melbourne Recital Centre
What a great musical So many people are making The 2016 Melbourne Prize for I’m heartened with the gender, city Melbourne is! quiet sustained contributions to Music was a record year for genre and cultural representation nurturing the next generations, and entries and for me, as a judge, this reflected in our outstanding There’s an astonishing breadth inspiring the creation of new works enormous task was an honour. I shortlist of finalists and encourage of creativity in this city, and and new ways of making music listened, discovered, appreciated, more entries in future years. Our the applications for this year’s through the power of their was moved, challenged and audiences are multi-generational Melbourne Prize for Music certainly remarkable talents. Being a part informed as part of the judging and considered to be sophisticated represented this. But more than of this judging panel opened my team. I spent many hours seeking and not bound by musical genre. that, it became apparent that eyes up to the great work being out YouTube videos, recordings, Our musicians are of the world’s another key connecting factor Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne made out there, and reinforces my trawling through websites and finest and philanthropic support across the sector is the generosity view of Melbourne as this country’s learning about these artists. like that from the Melbourne Trust and leadership inherent in this leading community of music and The depth of knowledge and will continue to nurture their work community of musicians. musicians. It’s been a privilege and appreciation of different music for years to come. a pleasure to take part. amongst my fellow judges was invaluable and insightful. We enjoyed robust debate, however, Photo: Steven Godbee ultimately we were unanimous in our final choices. 20 2015 2014 2012 2010 2008 2006 21 The annual Melbourne Prize Melbourne Prize for Melbourne Prize Melbourne Prize Melbourne Prize for Melbourne Prize for Literature 2015 Urban Sculpture 2014 for Literature 2012 for Music 2010 Urban Sculpture 2008 for Literature 2006 Melbourne Professor Christopher Geoff Robinson Alex Miller David Jones Alexander Knox Helen Garner Wallace-Crabbe AM Professional Best Writing Outstanding Professional Best Writing Prize and Best Writing Development Award 2012 Musicians Development Award 2006 Award 2015 Award 2014 Craig Sherborne Award 2010 Award 2008 Christos Tsiolkas Andrea Goldsmith Kay Abude Ben Northey Tom Nicholson Awards Civic Choice Civic Choice Writers Prize 2015 Civic Choice Award 2012 Development Vic Urban Award 2006 Alumni Kate Ryan Award 2014 Tony Birch Award 2010 Award 2008 Henry von Doussa Kay Abude Natalie Bartsch Louise Paramor Civic Choice 2011 2005 Award 2015 Rural & Regional 2009 Civic Choice 2005–2015 Melbourne Melbourne Robbyn Annear Development Award 2008 Prize for Urban Melbourne Prize Prize for Urban Award 2014 Elaine Miles Sculpture 2011 for Literature 2009 Sculpture 2005 Aleks Danko Bianca Hester Gerald Murnane 2007 Open Spatial Workshop 2013 The bronze presentation Professional Best Writing Melbourne Prize Professional trophies are designed by Melbourne Prize Development Award 2009 for Music 2007 Development Cornwell and hand–made for Music 2013 Award 2011 Nam Le Paul Grabowsky Award 2005 Brett Dean Isaac Greener & Karen Abernethy by Fundere Fine Art Civic Choice Outstanding Lucas Maddock Foundry Melbourne. Outstanding Award 2009 Musicians Civic Choice funderestudios.com.au Musicians Civic Choice Amra Pajalic Award 2007 Award 2005 Award 2013 Award 2011 Genevieve Lacey Matthew de Moiser Stephen Magnusson Isaac Greener & Development Lucas Maddock Development Award 2007 Award 2013 Julian Langdon Kate Kelsey–Sugg Civic Choice Award 2013 Mick Harvey Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne 22 Melbourne Prize for Music 2016
Finalists Value: $60,000 Supported by the Vera Moore Foundation David Bridie The Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 will be awarded Joe Camilleri to a Victorian musician, or Kutcha Edwards group, whose work has made an outstanding Lisa Lim contribution to Australian Adalita Srsen music and has enriched cultural and public life. ALL music genres are eligible for this Prize Public Voting Vote for a finalist to win the $4,000 Civic Choice Award 2016 in this catalogue or at melbourneprize.org 24 Biography 25 Joe has recorded 48 albums throughout his career and still plays 150 shows a year. His energy seems boundless, matched only by the passion and commitment with which he approaches every song, every record and every performance. theblacksorrows.com.au David Bridie
David Bridie has enjoyed a remarkably versatile career as one of Australia’s most Finalist prolific and innovative contemporary Joe Camilleri musicians. David rose to prominence in Finalist Biography 1983 as a uniquely Australian pianist, One of the world’s foremost vocalist and songwriter in the critically producers of Melanesian music, acclaimed band Not Drowning, Waving. David co-established a not-for- A decade and nine albums later, David profit music label, the Wantok formed the ARIA award-winning musical Musik Foundation, which aims outfit, My Friend the Chocolate Cake. to generate and foster cultural David has also enjoyed a venerable solo exchanges between Indigenous career and has firmly established himself Born in Malta, Joe’s family He’s kicked a staggering number Australia and Melanesia by over the last 30 years as a producer migrated to Australia in 1950. of goals as a singer, songwriter, recording, releasing and (Christine Anu, Archie Roach, George Telek), Growing up as one of ten children musician, and producer. As front promoting music from the cultural music/dance director (SING SING, in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, man of the seminal 70’s band, region. Through his tireless Ulumbarra - Gather Together) and composer; radio was king in the Camilleri Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, Joe work with the Wantok Musik having scored the soundtracks for over 100 household. A self-taught musician, was inducted into the ARIA Hall Foundation, David endeavours international and Australian films, television Joe started playing in bands of Fame in 2007. With The Black to support the preservation of series and documentaries, including Proof, around Melbourne in the mid- Sorrows, there have been hits language through song. In a Savage Land, Satellite Boy, Putuparri sixties. For Joe Camilleri, writer not only in Australia but also in davidbridie.com and the Rainmakers and The Straits. of milestone songs Shape I’m In, Europe and an ARIA for best group Hit and Run, Chained to the in 1990. There have been multi- Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne Wheel and Never Let Me Go, platinum albums and sales of over music has been his station in two million records. The Black life for over 50 years. Sorrows, in one form or another, haven’t stopped recording or performing since Joe pulled the thing together in 1983. The Black Sorrows are currently
Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 touring album No. 20. 26 Biography 27 Photo: Klaus Rudolf Award winning singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards has an extensive body of work including several solo albums, significant collaborative ventures, and music theatre productions. A pivotal member of the Aboriginal community Liza Lim and a proud Mutti Mutti man, his life’s work is the continuum of his ancestral Songline. kutcha-edwards.com Kutcha
Liza Lim is one of Australia’s leading composers, published by the prestigious Edwards Casa Ricordi/Universal Music label with a catalogue of 75 works performed by the world’s pre-eminent orchestras and ensembles. Finalist Ecstatic Architecture commissioned by
Finalist After successes with bands Watbalimba and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the Black Fire, Kutcha began his solo career and inaugural season of the Walt Disney has since produced four albums, Cooinda, Concert Hall received the Paul Lowin Hope, Blak & Blu and Beneath the Surface. Award. She was composer-in-residence Kutcha has staged two theatre productions, with the Sydney Symphony, and Songlines of a Mutti Mutti Man, which won Biography has received numerous international a VIPA Award, and performed solo in his Liza Lim is a composer whose commissions from the BBC, Bavarian touring stage show yuyukatha. unique inter-cultural music Radio and SWR Orchestras, Ensemble MusikFabrik, Ensemble InterContemporain Kutcha has also received awards for draws on a wide range of Asian, Paris, Ensemble Modern, Arditti String Indigenous Person of the Year and Deadly Indigenous and European Quartet, Holland, Salzburg and Lucerne Vibes Male Artist of the Year in 2001 and sources. Operas and orchestral Festivals, and Festival d’Automne à Paris. been an inductee on the 2015 Victorian works explore themes of ecology, Aboriginal Honour Roll and to the 2016 language, ritual and ecstatic states. Her operas The Oresteia, Moon Spirit NIMA Hall of Fame. In addition, he has An influential educator, she is Feasting and The Navigator were premièred worked for over 10 years on the award Professor of Composition at by ELISION at the Melbourne, Adelaide and winning Beyond the Bars radio show the University of Huddersfield, Brisbane Festivals, subsequently touring to produced for Indigenous prisoners. Fusing UK and lives in Melbourne. high profile seasons in Berlin, Zurich, Paris,
soulful music and a rich, powerful voice with lizalimcomposer.wordpress.com Tokyo and Moscow. Her fourth opera Tree Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne his personal story, Kutcha’s songs reflect on of Codes, commissioned by Cologne Opera life as an Aboriginal man in white Australia. premièred to acclaim in April 2016. The His deep and rhythmic tones are that of a American critic Alex Ross (The Rest is Noise) storyteller whose inspiring songs are full of includes Lim’s major song-cycle Tongue of passion and spirit that evoke a connection the Invisible in his pick of the top 10 pieces to an intimate and resilient Songline. of the 21st Century. Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 28 Adalita Srsen Photo: Warwick Barker
Adalita has cemented herself as a rock icon both locally and internationally. After 14 releases over 23 years, her music has appeared in TV, film, soundtracks and advertisements. Her collaborations have Finalist spanned the ages from co-writes with Biography Gareth Liddiard and Stonefield, through Modern Australian rock icon to appearing in tributes for Patti Smith, Adalita is best known as front Paul Kelly and David Bowie. woman for Australian indie rock She’s been nominated for seven ARIA band Magic Dirt. In 2011 Adalita awards, won the Australian Independent released her debut self-titled solo Record Association ‘Album of the Year’ album garnering rave reviews and for her self-titled debut, was a finalist for winning the 2011 AIR Award for the Australian Music Prize and has been Best Independent Release, as well The Age Music Victoria Female Artist of as being shortlisted for the 2012 the Year. She’s played for the Dalai Lama, AMP music prize. She is currently acted as an all important mentor for young working on her 3rd solo album. Victorian artists in and out of schools adalita.com around the state as well as appearing as a guest speaker at numerous conferences around Australia. She’s a published writer and exhibited photographer and has toured with artists such as Leonard Cohen, J Mascis, The Drones and Paul Kelly. Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 30 Outstanding Musicians Award 2016
Finalists Value: $30,000 + $2,500 ALL music genres are Qantas voucher eligible for this Award Lior Attar The Outstanding Musicians Award Public Voting Briggs 2016 will be awarded to a Victorian Vote for a finalist to win the Sophia Brous musician, or group, for recent $4,000 Civic Choice Award work representing an outstanding 2016 in this catalogue or Biddy Connor example of creativity and skill. at melbourneprize.org James Hullick Supported by Listen to the finalists Gareth Liddiard Dr. Rob Benson entered music at the Federation Square exhibition Kate Miller-Heidke or at melbourneprize.org King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard PLEXUS Scott Tinkler 32 33
Entered music — The Children Came Back
The Children Came Back advances the story and pays homage to They Took The Children Lior Away. Archie Roach AM released the song 25 years ago from the seminal album ‘Charcoal Lane’ and it’s with his blessings, this new sequel of a song is released to champion black excellence and remind Attar us of the amazing things achieved since. Jimmy Little, Adam Goodes, Lionel Rose Biography and Patty Mills are just some of the greats Lior is one of Australia’s most referenced within this almighty shout-out cherished singer / songwriters, by Briggs. renowned for his beautiful voice and songs that radiate truth and sincerity. His debut album ‘Autumn Flow’ became one of the most successful independent releases Briggs in Australian music history. Lior has since released several albums and has embarked on various collaborations, most Finalist notably Compassion.
Finalist lior.com.au
Entered music — Compassion
Compassion is a song cycle for voice and Compassion toured with the major Australian Biography orchestra written and performed by Lior orchestras throughout 2014, including a Briggs, the powerhouse rapper together with Nigel Westlake. It consists of performance with the Melbourne Symphony / Bad Apples Music CEO whose ancient Hebrew and Arabic texts centred Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music records have made him a pioneer around the idea of compassion. The work Bowl. A recording of Compassion won the of Australian hip-hop and whose is made up of seven movements of original ARIA for ‘Best Classical Album’ of 2014. outspoken critiques of Australian melodies and orchestrations set to a Compassion recently made its US première culture have given a voice to a collection of poems and proverbs drawn with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, where marginalised population. Whether from the rich worlds of Judaism and Islam, it won the Austin Critics’ Award for ‘Best on your TV in ABC’s Cleverman which offer us an insight into the wisdom of Symphonic Performance of 2015-16’. or on your turntable with his compassion and how we should treat one critically hailed albums. another. Their similarities are immense and their universality is undeniable.
Far from the misguided commentaries that Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne have steered humanity away from the true enactment of compassion, these texts affirm that attaining a greater sense of compassion is an ultimate goal, and letting it guide our actions is the ultimate wisdom. Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 Outstanding Musicians Award 34 35 Sophia Entered music — Same But Swallowed Biography Same But Swallowed was recorded live in This song cycle was written in collaboration The Oratory, Abbotsford Convent on Sunday with lyricist Maria Zajkowski in 2015, with Sophia Brous is a vocalist June 28th, 2016 by James Cecil. the assistance of a Spiritous Award from and musician, curator and The Abbotsford Convent Foundation. artistic director. She works and It is part of the ‘Oculus Sonic’ Song Cycle, Brous Maria’s summary of the content of this collaborates with companies and written about the various inhabitants of The particular song is drawn from her own artists internationally, including Abbotsford Convent and the area that it is Father’s experience as a refugee: “Same recent engagements with The built on. The feature vocalist is Marita Dyson but Swallowed is the migrant song, and, Barbican, Paris Philharmonie, from The Orbweavers and members of the as emphasized by the lyrics ‘same, but Southbank Centre and Red Bull quartet provide the extra vocal harmonies. swallowed’, declares the need to adapt Studios New York. She has worked or act in a modified way to fit in.” with David Byrne, Julia Holter, BBC Orchestra, Questlove, Sean Lennon and Kimbra. In 2016, Brous is artist-in-resident of National Sawdust New York, The Watermill Center, and Artistic Associate of Arts Centre Melbourne. sophiabrous.com Finalist
Finalist Biddy Biography Photo: Paul Philipson Biddy Connor, founding member of The Letter String Quartet, Connor has composed, arranged and performed for a range projects including film, television, theatre Entered music — Mama Zaman/Ru U Ru and large-scale community events. Biddy has worked with local and Mama Zaman/Ru U Ru is an original work Brous developed the material into a full song international artists including Laura composed and performed by Sophia Brous cycle as artist-in-resident at Robert Wilson’s Jean, Winged Victory for The with British musicians Leo Abrahams and Watermill Center in New York. Lullaby Sullen, Jherek Bischoff, Jen David Coulter. Drawn from half-spoken texts Movement was original commissioned Cloher and John Cale. of two Eritrean lullaby chants, the piece is by UrbanTheatre Projects for the Sydney taken from the extended song cycle Lullaby Festival and will be debuted as a fully staged theletterstringquartet.com Movement, a theatrical musical performance theatre song cycle internationally in 2017. work created by Brous since 2015 exploring The piece features electronics, guitar, lullaby ritual from around the world. voice, strings, organ and percussion. Performed in over 20 languages, Brous Brous’ performs in Eritrean Arabic dialect, Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne developed the song cycle in series taught to her by Askaleh at the Refugee of commissioned phases, where she Council UK, October 2015. learned lullabies from migrant and refugee communities around the world, working with organisations including the Refugee Council UK, The Watermill Center, Urbantheatre Projects, The Hutto Project Berlin and Good Photo: Darren Sylvester Chance Calais in the Jungle refugee camp. Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 Outstanding Musicians Award 36 Entered music — Rotation Post-Sapien 37
Rotation Post-Sapien, composed Premièred at BIFEM 2015 the work achieved and performed by James Hullick, is a clarity through archetypal expression: Herculean 60-minute work for soloist, “Stripped of shock value, prepared piano which combines prepared piano, voice, Biography and electronics–as well as sound art–gain percussion and synthesizers. the capacity to become more emotive, Gareth Liddiard moved to Mapping out a trajectory of human to completing their rotation from something Melbourne from Perth in 2000, post-human sonic evolution, the alien to overwhelmingly human. With where he has recorded eight conceptualization of Rotation Post-Sapien Rotation Post-Sapien, Hullick combines albums, both with his band The was deeply informed by James’ research and re-invents musical relics from different Drones and solo. He has spent the into communities, discussed in his article periods in a ritualistic exploration of last sixteen years touring Australia ‘Meta-Listeners’ (2014): human emotion.” (Reviewed: ‘Partial and the rest of the world. Durations’ 2015.) “Some of our human ancestors will thedrones.com.au perhaps remain unsurpassed in their colossal commitment to sonic adventuring. What remarkably creative innovators they must have been… Their gift can also be understood as a precious tool for our advancement as a species – a tool to help us find sustainability amidst the chaos of our own accelerated proliferation. That tool is meta-listening.”
Gareth Finalist Finalist James Hullick Liddiard
Entered music — Feelin Kinda Free (The Drones)
Biography Feelin Kinda Free is a bad trip you can dance Lyrically, it explores themes such as koro to. Aptly summed up in the album’s opening syndrome, the fruits of western imperialism, James Hullick is a pianist, sound line “the best songs are like bad dreams”, ISIS, celebrity chefs, seaside statecraft, artist and composer at the Feelin Kinda Free is an avant avalanche beach-bum race riots, Rupert Murdoch, forefront of auditory creation. He of everything coming back to haunt. It has the new middle eastern/european diaspora, has composed and performed been described by Australia’s premier the spectre of neofascism, Hugo Boss, internationally for over two right-wing tabloid superstar and Richard Luftwaffe psychological warfare techniques, decades; and often with The Wagner fanboy Andrew Bolt as “stamping girls, sweet revenge, capitalist consumer Amplified Elephants (Footscray on the ashes of the West’s musical traditions”. psychosis, body image dysmorphia/mania, Community Arts Centre). A 2015 Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne Gertrude Bell, eating people and selling Australia Council Fellow, James is yourself, having great skin, leftist utopianism, a Harvey Piano Scholar 2015-16, scientific triumphalism, E.T. and the mindless a Visiting Fellow at CiART RMIT assumption that alien lifeforms would and Director of JOLT Arts be nicer than us simply because of their hullickmedia.com technological superiority.
Photo: Chung Fu Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 Outstanding Musicians Award 38 Kate 39 Miller-Heidke
Biography Kate Miller-Heidke is an independent, award-winning singer-songwriter who lives between the worlds of contemporary pop and classical music. She has released four studio albums to great acclaim. Trained as a classical singer, Kate King has performed for the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the English National Opera. Her debut opera as a composer, The Rabbits, won
Gizzard Finalist four Helpmann Awards, including Best Score and Best New Finalist Australian Work. & The Lizard Wizard katemillerheidke.com
Biography
Entered music — Excerpts From The Rabbits Although they formed in 2011 in And Other Recent Recordings Melbourne, Australia, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s sense of This medley of excerpts features six pieces The final two songs are from Kate’s latest unfettered sonic exploration makes of Kate’s recent work, in a variety of styles studio album O Vertigo!: Rock This Baby them easy to mistake for a long- and genres. The first two are from The To Sleep (a mostly a capella song, with forgotten relic of the psych explosion Rabbits, the Helpmann Award-winning opera multiple tracks of Kate’s vocals used as of the ‘60s. With a far-out sound that, Entered music — People-Vultures composed and performed by Kate: Where? backing) and the title track, O Vertigo!, at times, feels barely held together, (a live acoustic version with Iain Grandage which has been described variously as the band evoke the eclectic rock Our blue planet is parched and on piano) and the operatic climax of My Sky sounding like a yodelling ambulance or experimentation of Frank Zappa’s cracks are forming underfoot and (from the live cast recording album). These Enya on crystal meth. early work with the Mothers of the sweat drips from our collective are followed by two new songs - You’ve Invention as they follow their temple onto the citrine sand and a Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne Underestimated Me, Dude and Elysian Fields musical flights of fancy wherever feathered doom encircles us from - performed with the Tasmanian Symphony they might go, and let the rest above and there’s a pulsing in our Orchestra at a concert for Mona Foma, just fall into place on its own. breast telling us there ain’t nothing which won the 2016 Helpmann for Best any mere mortal can do when the kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com Contemporary Australian Concert. sun retreats and blackness sets in. Call upon God to deliver us from our peril. Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 Outstanding Musicians Award 40 PLEXUS 41 / Monica Curro (violin) Entered music — WHALE
/ Philip Arkinstall (clarinet) In 2015 Scott received a Project Fellowship grant from the Australia Council to explore / Stefan Cassomenos (piano) and develop a series of works for Solo Trumpet and foot triggered percussion. This Suite has since been premièred at Biography MOFO Festival in Tasmania and recorded Melbourne ensemble PLEXUS for release early in 2017. brings together the talents of three Extending from his acclaimed 2006 of Melbourne’s most vibrant and Solo recording on the Extreme label, versatile musicians, who together BACKWARDS, and bringing together years are devoted to supporting and of study of Indian Karnatic music and Korean engaging an ever-growing network music, Scott Tinkler’s new solo project of exceptional artists across explores rhythm and sound in a highly a variety of disciplines. Since energetic and exposed environment. launching in 2014, PLEXUS has commissioned over 100 works With the use a foot pedal percussion, akin and given 65 world premières. to a one man band, Tinkler sets up pulses Scott Finalist to be explored and developed with intense plexuscollective.com creativity and power. Triggering acoustic Finalist resonance in cymbals, using a bucket Photo: Belinda Strodder of water as a device to de-contextualise Tinkler trumpet, Tinkler stretches the world of solo trumpet to new areas of expression and sound. This series of works involves carefully conceived rhythmic and melodic structures Entered music — Debugeti from The Lyrebird in my that can be explored and developed in Piano by Richard Grantham. real time through improvisation. Tinkler’s commitment to developing a unique This work was written for PLEXUS and Each of the work’s movements is sound and musical syntax through premièred by them in 2014. The title alludes a hybrid of the styles of two composers, improvisation is at the forefront of his to the extraordinary talents for mimicry including Satók (Satie x Bartók), Reichemitsu long and highly regarded career. of the Superb Lyrebirds: not only can (Reich x Takemitsu), and the finale Debugeti Biography they perfectly imitate other birds’calls (Debussy x Ligeti) which, according to and assorted environmental sounds, Grantham, “starts with an unmistakable Scott Tinkler has been a but some in close contact with humans French lightness, occasionally tangling leading musician, improviser have been heard imitating their neighbours’ the texture by mixing a bit too much and composer for over three music. Even more remarkably, some unmistakable French lightness in at decades. In his own playing, Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne individuals appear capable of combining once. (Spare a thought for the amount he uses his trumpet to find new two learnt tunes into a hybrid melody of of unmistakable French lightness allocated effects, colours and techniques, their own devising. to the pianist, who plays almost 2500 and through collaboration he notes at a rate of 14 per second.)” presents performances which Grantham’s piece attempts to answer explore the musics of other the whimsical question of what might cultures, and new ways to be sung by a hypothetical lyrebird connect through improvisation residing in his piano. stinkler.com Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 Outstanding Musicians Award 42 Beleura Award for Composition 2016
Finalists Value: $25,000 (new category) John Tallis, son of theatre entrepreneur Sir George and Chris Dench The Beleura Award for Lady Tallis, was a renowned Composition 2016 is for a Mary Finsterer composer and studied at London’s composition, by a Victorian Royal College of Music and in Paris. musician, of outstanding Andrea Keller His lifetime passion for providing musicianship, skill and creativity. Kate Neal opportunities for musicians and All genres of composition love of music is enshrined in the Anthony Pateras are eligible new Beleura Award for Composition 2016, for Victorian composers Public Voting across all genres. Vote for a finalist to win the $4,000 Civic Choice Award Beleura was John Tallis’s 2016 in this catalogue or house on the Mornington at melbourneprize.org Peninsula, gifted by him to the people of Victoria, which Listen to the finalists entered is now a house museum. music at the Federation Square exhibition or at Visit beleura.org.au melbourneprize.org Supported by The Tallis Foundation in memory of John Tallis (1911-1996) 44 Entered music — AEREA 45
“Between abstract geometrical tracery AEREA was commissioned and first and the echo of objects.” Roh performed by The Monash Art Ensemble, Chris Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, AEREA explores how diverse idioms Monash University in 2013 and received within jazz and classical traditions can Photo: Jake Turner the Australian ART Music Instrumental be unified in one cohesive structure. It Work of the Year Award in 2014. AEREA reflects on that slight sense of déjà vu is dedicated to Dean Golja. Dench you might feel while looking down from an aeroplane window which comes in part from the shifting correspondences between the world below and your own. You start to notice relationships in abstract shapes that recur, not only from one to another, but Biography also within the same shape. AEREA takes Born in England, Chris Dench this idea of shifting entities as a metaphor came to Australia in 1989 to to create dramatic twists and turns of escape the Old World and obtain movement and gestural interplay in an some proper weather; he now lives unfolding musical narrative. in Ballarat. He has been writing music for fifty-five years and has produced an extensive catalogue of works performed, broadcast, and issued on CD, world-wide. chrisdench.com Mary Finalist Finalist Biography Mary Finsterer is Chair of Composition at the Sir Zelman Finsterer Cowen School of Music, Monash University. Recognised as one Entered music — Piano Sonata (2015-6) of Australia’s most innovative orchestral composers, Mary has The Piano Sonata was written entirely in Although the work is intended to be heard won many prestigious national Ballarat, and is the culmination of an almost as a completely abstract architecture, the and international awards and 50-year ambition to write a single-arch work titles of the movements allude to extra- has represented Australia in that embodies the complete lifecycle of a musical ideas, from SF authors such as five International Society for musical cosmos. It has nine movements Philip K Dick, Greg Bear, Stephen Baxter, Contemporary Music Festivals. that run continuously over a span of about and Gregory Benford, as well as physicists maryfinsterer.com ninety-five minutes: whiteout (Prelude)— John Barrow, Albert-László Barabási, three windows (Sonata-Rondo)—heat sink and Frank Tipler. These references provide (Intermezzo I)—Photino birds (Scherzo I & a tangential counterpoint to the strictly trio)—gallery of spaces (Passacaglia)—Lévy musical discourse. Beleura Award for Composition 2016 flights (Scherzo II)—EM fugue [A—B—C] (Fantasia)—k=+1 (Intermezzo II)—infallscape (Scherzo III)—tombeau / Ω Point (Elegy- finale). The work was commissioned by Peter de Jager, who gave the first performance of an incomplete version on 6 August 2015. The complete piece was privately premièred,
also by Peter, in October. Photo: Dean Golja Beleura Award for Composition 2016 Beleura Award 46 47
Entered music — Grateful, Hopeful, Joyful
Dedicated to the great British pianist Grateful, Hopeful, Joyful is in three parts Biography & composer John Taylor, I composed (as the title suggests), and draws heavily Kate Neal is an artist with over Grateful, Hopeful, Joyful after hearing from the harmonic progression of Taylor’s twenty years experience as a of his sudden passing in 2015. Taylor piece Ambleside, which he gave me at a composer, arranger, teacher, has been a major influence on me as lesson in Cologne 2002. The title reflects artistic director and collaborator. improviser, composer, teacher and a celebration of Taylor’s life and is a nod to Neal holds a BMus (VCA, human being. I was fortunate enough his immeasurable contribution and effect Melbourne); BMus/MMus (RC, to have heard him perform live, and on the musical world. As my tribute to The Hague); PGDip (non-western met him on numerous occasions. Taylor, I am Grateful for having heard his music, SC, Amsterdam); PGDip music and for having met and interacted (RNCM, Manchester) and is a with him personally; Hopeful that I continue current PhD Graduate Fellow to strive to be a musician with as much at Princeton University. integrity, honesty and generosity as Taylor; and Joyful as is the pleasure and fulfilment kateneal.com Taylor’s music has brought to the lives of myself and countless others. Kate Finalist Finalist Andrea Keller Neal
Entered music — Semaphore
Biography Semaphore is a 60min mixed media work Archival recordings of ANZAC Naval (music, dance, light, theatre) for three signalman narrating stories and Andrea Keller is a pianist and dancers and nine musicians. Semaphore experiences on facets of coding are composer dedicated to the explores and abstracts encoded methods interwoven within the fabric of the work. performance and creation of of communication and signalling, and contemporary jazz and improvised Semaphore premièred in a sell-out season hence, concepts and narratives of mis- music. Described as ‘totally at Arts House, May 2015. Semaphore also communication. Using physical, visual and original’, ‘remarkably Australian’, showcased at APAM, Brisbane 2016.
aural encoding systems (semaphore, light Beleura Award for Composition 2016 and ‘positively arresting’, her music coding, binary code, morse code, pennants is highly lauded, receiving three signalling) sound, light and physicality are ARIA Awards, four Australian Jazz fused in a common language. This results ‘Bell’ Awards, an Art Music Award, in a highly arresting and compelling visual and fellowships from the MCA/ and sonic environment. Freedman Foundation and the Australia Council. andreakellerpiano.com.au Photo: Natasha Blankfield Beleura Award for Composition 2016 Beleura Award 48 Photo: fabonthemoon
Entered music — Beauty Will Be Amnesiac Or Will Not Be At All (2012-2014)
Beauty Will Be Amnesiac Or Will Not Be At All (2012-2014) is the result of a decades research into orchestral percussion writing. This practice was driven by an exploration into distinct timbral configurations, long- range rhythmic structures and potential inter-relationships between percussion and electronics. This work is the last of this cycle, synthesising its enduring aspects into a final four movement statement. Beauty is performed in a 12-point star surrounding the audience which consists of six percussionists & six-channel electronics. The acoustic materials are very strict, stripping back ‘musical’ language to numbers and permutations (I wrote the piece Anthony using Microsoft Excel 2004). Primarily, the piece is based on long range mathematical
Finalist (that is not to say complex) formulae, composed into extended musical structures. Pateras The electronic component is in total contrast to this: it is comprised of edits from three days of improvisations with my friend Jérôme Noetinger, who is responsible for discovering the live instrumental potential of the Revox B77 (despite his protests to the contrary!) Biography Importantly, the instrumentation mirrors (with minor additions) that of Xenakis’ 2nd sextet Anthony Pateras is a composer, Pleïades (1976), which employs 17-pitch pianist and electro-acoustic micro-tonal metallophones called ‘sixxen’, musician whose work explores invented specifically for his piece and varying constellations of notation, employed in mine. improvisation, electronic and acoustic materials. Since 1999, Pateras has been consistently active in multiple bands that have toured extensively throughout the world, simultaneously writing over 50 concert works for leading orchestras, ensembles and soloists.
Beleura Award for Composition 2016 Beleura Award anthonypateras.com 50 Development Award 2016
Finalists Value: $16,000 ALL music genres are Comprising $10,000 cash + $6,000 eligible for this Award Sophia Exiner Yamaha Music Australia grant The cash component is Rory Burnside The Development Award 2016 supported by The William / Rudely Interrupted will be awarded to an early Buckland Foundation. Gabriella Cohen career Victorian musician or The music instrument group of musicians, 30 years of and equipment grant Matthias Schack–Arnott age and under, who demonstrate is supported by Yamaha Tilman Robinson outstanding musical talent and Music Australia Pty Ltd the potential to develop their professional career. Public Voting Vote for a finalist to win the $4,000 Civic Choice Award 2016 in this catalogue or at melbourneprize.org Listen to the finalists entered music at the Federation Square exhibition or at melbourneprize.org 52 53
Entered music — Love You Till I Die
Love You Till I Die is a song about feeling the Love You Till I Die is musically simple, with a loss of love and being forgiven. It’s about complex rhythmical arrangement that gives Sophia the eternal struggle to find true love and the song a more meaningful push along. companionship, making some bad decisions With many syncopations and playing across and being forgiven. It’s a song about learning the bar line the rhythm provides many hooks from experiences, making mistakes and for the music to simply sit on top of it, like finding forgiveness from those we love. Once snow on a mountain or perhaps like the Exiner we love we always have a special place in chocolate on the top of the choc tops at the our hearts for those we loved and we openly movie theatre, they’re made for each other. Biography or secretly love them till we die. Sophia Exiner, also known as Phia, grew up in Melbourne, Australia and graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with an honours degree in improvisation. In 2011 she bought a one-way ticket to Berlin, playing 100s of shows, from bars in Southern Italy to fisherman’s villages in Iceland as well as international festivals in Rory Burnside / Photo: Louisa Stickelbruck Germany and Poland. Sophia Finalist plays the kalimba, an instrument
Finalist she has made her own through Rudely Interrupted her unique use of it through effect pedals and loops. listentophia.com Biography Rory Burnside has been writing Entered music — Heartstrings and performing with his indie rock act Rudely Interrupted On her long-awaited debut album The Ocean Woven through The Ocean of Everything is since conception in 2006. Rory of Everything, beguiling art-pop melodist the hypnotic sound of the African kalimba: and Rudely Interrupted have Phia searches for home and finds her sound. an instrument made of wood and metal, toured our homeland many Luscious layers of harmonies, rambunctious and not much bigger than a postcard, as times and represented Australia vocal percussion and vivid pop sensibilities heard on opening track Heartstrings. An internationally 13 times across collide with raw and affecting lyricism to unusual accompaniment choice for a singer- 9 different countries in the last create a remarkably self-assured and songwriter, Phia picked up the kalimba in 10 years including USA, Italy, genre-defying listening experience. 2010 and never looked back. Germany, China, Canada, UK, New Zealand and Singapore. Phia weaves a patchwork landscape of imagery, memories and reflections as she rudelyinterrupted.com Development Award 2016 searched for her identity in her new home of Europe, which was also the home of her ancestors. Melodically and rhythmically complex, yet brimming with accessible pop hooks, Phia’s inspired arrangements border on the orchestral, revealing a luminous creative spark. Development Award 2016 Development Award 54 Entered music — Mapping the interior: In search of the inland sea 55
Percussion sextet composed and Key elements of the work are the distortion performed by Matthias Schack-Arnott of breath through aerophones, subtly for the three–channel video work by phasing pulsation patterns and the use of Drew Pettifer by the same title. micro-tonally shifting metals. In keeping with the film it was composed for, the work Instrumentation: Tuned resonant metals, texturally seeks to evoke arid landscapes, aerophones, bowed 4-octave quarter-tone crackling heat and warped perspectives. metallophone, bass drums and sine tones. Bass drums are played layered with strewn The music explores the extreme fatigue material – sand, pebbles, debris – to create and hallucinatory effects of heat stroke granular tapestries. Unstable pitch motifs as experienced by early explorers of the are played on resonant metals as they are deserts in Southern and Central Australia. submerged in water. Aerophones create beating patterns through alternating three- note micro-tonal chords, mirroring the triptych presentation of the original video- work. The musical material unfolds in a languid manner, always in a process of slow change, a continual movement towards a Gabriella destination that never gets closer.
Photo: Annabelle Aronica Cohen Matthias Finalist Finalist
Biography Schack-Arnott Talking about Gabriella Cohen requires a new adjective: when she tells you about a guitar tone she likes, an organ sound she’s Entered composition — Full Closure and No Details looking for, or the opening bars Biography of The Velvet Underground’s ‘I Full Closure is a definitional labour of love: Found a Reason’, she might tell Matthias Schack-Arnott is a when Cohen talks about her collaborators you these things sound ‘pink’. percussive artist working in she sounds like she’s talking about her She’s not describing a synesthetic contemporary classical and family – her bass player and backing singers, or aesthetic connection with the experimental music as a performer, ring-ins that recorded after Cohen and Dillon colour – instead, it’s an adjective composer and improviser. He finished up in the country, are “dear friends”; she’s coined, all her own. Luckily, maintains an internationally active and Dillon is her “sister”. The songs were after a spin through Cohen’s debut career, creating his own solo written on Cohen’s grandpa’s nylon string album Full Closure and No Details, projects, performing as key artist in Speak Percussion, and appearing
guitar, and Piano Song was recorded on we’ll all know what ‘pink’ sounds Development Award 2016 Dillon’s parents’ old, out-of-tune upright, like: it sounds like this. It sounds as a guest artist with diverse the same piano she learned on as a child. like heartbreak and reckless ensembles and orchestras. abandon, like quiet reflection matthiasschackarnott.com and raucous teamwork. remotecontrolrecords.lnk.to/ GabriellaCohen Development Award 2016 Development Award 56 Biography Tilman Robinson is an Australian composer, producer and sound designer. Tilman creates electro- acoustic music across a range of genres including classical minimalism, improvised, experimental, electronic and ambient. Academy trained in the fields of both classical and jazz composition, Tilman’s diverse output focuses on the psychological impact of sound. tilmanrobinson.com
Tilman Finalist Robinson
Entered music — Orison
Orison is a Middle English word for prayer. Orison is a through-composed work written As an atheist I have had little call for prayer for string trio, double bass, clarinet, ondes in my life but as our civilisations survival martenot, dulcitone and live electronics. teeters on a knife’s edge and people around This recorded version is featured on my the world continue to be oppressed/killed recent album Deer Heart released through I offer this wordless hymn. Orison is not Hobbledehoy Record Co. Written, recorded prayer-like, it is a shriek into the dark; and meticulously pieced together at various the howl of anguish so many feel but locations in Berlin, Melbourne, the Canadian can’t articulate. Rockies and Reykjavík’s Greenhouse Studios, Deer Heart is an electro-acoustic pastiche, draws on my wide range of musical influences and is intent on testing the psychological impacts of dense sound. Development Award 2016 Development Award 58 Distinguished Musicians Fellowship 2016
Distinguished Musicians The Fellowship will be flexible, The recipient of this new Fellowship 2016 valid for a 12 month period, Fellowship will be selected by the $20,000 (new category) and provide the recipient with, 2016 judges from the finalists of for example, the opportunity the Melbourne Prize for Music The Fellowship will provide to engage with the VCA and 2016, the Outstanding Musicians the winner with a commercial MCM (e.g. teach, lecture or Award 2016, the Beleura Award engagement, to the value of hold concerts) commensurate for Composition 2016 and the $20,000, with the Victorian College to the value of the Fellowship. Development Award 2016. of the Arts (VCA) and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM). Supported by 60 Thank 61 You
The Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 would Thank you to Evan Evans for supporting not be possible without the major support and our digital printing, to Bill Coleby for long-term partnership of Ian Morrison and exhibition and risk management, to Lee Roger Blythman, Trustees of the Vera Moore Wong and Celine David of The Mighty Foundation. The Outstanding Musicians Wonton for our website management, Award 2016 is generously supported by Name24.com.au and Micro PLS for IT Dr Ron Benson. The Development Award service. The Trust would like to thank 2016 is generously supported by The William Fundere Fine Art Foundry Melbourne for Buckland Foundation and Yamaha Music crafting the unique presentation trophies for Australia. Thank you to Readings for making it the awards and for fabricating the miniatures The Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and Founding Partners Cornwell, Ernst & possible to offer the Civic Choice Award 2016. of The Magic Pudding sculpture (located at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne). Awards would not be possible without Young, Minter Ellison and the Committee The new Beleura Award for Composition the generous support of our partners and for Melbourne have played an integral 2016 is generously made possible by The The Trust would like to thank Pratika patrons this year, many of whom have role in establishing and maintaining the Tallis Foundation and the new Distinguished Lal and Robert Oatley Vineyards as our been with the Trust from the start in project since inception in 2004. The brand Musicians Fellowship 2016 is supported wine partners. George and Joice of Cafe 2004. Thank you to the many entrants identity and exhibition design for the 2016 by the Victorian College of the Arts and Chinotto at Federation Square generously and finalists this year. Melbourne Prize, including the catalogue, is the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. support the awards catering. developed by Sally Dobell and the team at Thank you to the Victorian Government, Thank you also to the Victorian College of Cornwell Design – thank you one and all for The Trust would like to thank the through Creative Victoria, and the City of the Arts for making an office available to the wonderful partnership you have made many organisation supporting the Melbourne through Melbourne Music Week the Melbourne Prize Trust. possible from the start. music sector in Victoria for their interest 2016 as our Government Partners. Our patrons are acknowledged and thanked in our activities and support in raising Our Exhibition and Events Partner, Federation The dedication of the judges this is for their generous donations this year. awareness of the Melbourne Prize for Square, enables the annual Melbourne Prize appreciated – thank you to Patrick These include the Vera Moore Foundation, Music 2016 and Awards. The many to have its ‘home’ in one of the highest profile Donovan, CEO Music Victoria and Chair Diana Gibson AO, The Robert Salzer music sector journals, peak bodies, public spaces in Australia and are generous Australian Music Industry Network, Foundation, the Sidney Myer Fund and commercial organisation and websites supporters of the exhibition in the Atrium and Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, Pianist, the Scanlon Foundation. made it possible to promote the prize. awards event and Deakin Edge. Thank you Composer, Conductor, Director Monash to the Annie Danks Trust and the City of Thank you 3AW for their support The Trust is fortunate to have the support Academy of Performing Arts, Genevieve Melbourne though Melbourne Music Week as Broadcast Partner this year. of a number of people whose contribution Lacey, Recorder Virtuoso, Artistic Director 2016 for their support of the exhibition. this year is greatly appreciated. These There are a number of organisations that and Collaborator, Marshall McGuire, include Melbourne Prize Trust Administration provide valued professional services to Head of Artistic Planning Melbourne Creative Vision & Audio’s support with the and Operations Assistant Sarah Kempson Recital Centre, Helen Marcou, Co-founder audio visual component of the exhibition is the annual Melbourne Prize, for which
and volunteers Sara Cook, Amanda Clark, Prize for Music 2016 Melbourne the Trust is thankful for their generous Bakehouse Studios and SLAM and Ronald appreciated. Thank you to long–term partner Annabel Bowden and Lyndall Metske. Vermeulen, Director of Artistic Planning, Premier Graphics for building our exhibition and ongoing partnership. Royce provide Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. and signage. The Trust is grateful for the strategic media and communications The Trust would like to thank the public and generous support of Corporate Partners advice, along with Brad Taylor and visitors to the Federation Square exhibition The ongoing direction of Melbourne Prize Qantas and Sofitel Hotels and Resorts, Rocky Rungsrisawad of Grant Thornton for their interest in the Melbourne Prize for Trust Directors, Dr Janine Kirk AM, who have made available our partner who undertake the annual audit of Music 2016 and Awards. Professor Andrea Hull AO, Clive Scott, events and an overnight stay to be given the Trust. Rothfield Print Management Anthony Poynton, Gerard Dalbosco and Melbourne Prize Trust away to a voter on our website during and Spicers Paper are generous supporters Pamela Warrender OAM is appreciated. Melbourne, Australia the finalist exhibition. of the Trust’s print requirements. 62 About the annual Melbourne Prize & Melbourne Prize Trust
Launched in 2004, the Melbourne Prize The annual Melbourne Prize is unique, Trust recognises and rewards excellence celebrating artistic excellence under and talent, inspires creative development the banner of Melbourne. and enriches public life. The Trust achieves The major event of the annual Melbourne these aims by running the annual Melbourne Prize is the free two-week public exhibition Prize, which is funded by a collaboration of of finalists work and the prize announcement partnerships and patrons. held each November at Federation Square. To date, over $1 million has been made The public has the ability to vote for a available to Victorian artists via the finalist to win the Civic Choice Award. annual Melbourne Prize, plus exhibitions, The exhibition increases the public’s residencies and international travel. The exposure and access to the creativity of Trust is an Income Exempt Charity with our community and enhances Melbourne’s Deductible Gift Recipient status. reputation as a cultural capital. The annual Melbourne Prize is one of The origins of the Trust date back to the the most valuable creative development establishment of the children’s garden initiatives of its kind in Australia. It runs on precinct at the Royal Botanic Gardens a three-year cycle and rewards sculptors, Melbourne and the commissioning of writers and musicians in turn. The Magic Pudding sculpture in 2000. Proceeds from the sale of limited edition The current cycle is: miniatures of this landmark sculpture 2016 Melbourne Prize for Music contribute to the Trust. Please contact 2017 Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture the Melbourne Prize Trust regarding 2018 Melbourne Prize for Literature the miniatures. Design by Cornwell Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 melbourneprize.org