2006 SOUNZ Contemporary Award Finalists announced
Three orchestral works, each featuring a soloist, have been chosen as finalists for the 2006 SOUNZ Contemporary Award.
They are:
- Releasing the Angel for cello and orchestra by Eve de Castro-Robinson
- Tumbu for clarinet and orchestra by Dylan Lardelli
- Symphony No. 2 for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by Ross Harris
"The jury were impressed by the number of large-scale public works this year, and the fact that these were being written by both well-established and younger, emerging composers," reports Scilla Askew, Executive Director of SOUNZ. "The 22 submitted works were highly diverse ranging from dance and choral pieces to chamber and electroacoustic music. The jury felt that the majority of these works displayed a standard that matched the prestige represented by this award."
The works by Eve de Castro-Robinson and Dylan Lardelli were both commissioned by the NZSO as part of an ongoing project to showcase their principal players as soloists. Releasing the Angel featured NZSO principal cellist David Chickering in its premiere while Tumbu featured NZSO co-principal clarinettist Patrick Barry.
Ross Harris is Composer in Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia and his Symphony No. 2 was premiered by this orchestra in a performance which featured the outstanding young New Zealand mezzo Madeleine Pierard.
The SOUNZ Contemporary Award, consisting of a trophy sculpted by Auckland artistrs Sarah Smuts Kennedy and $3000, is the major annual prize celebrating creative excellence by a New Zealand composer. The SOUNZ Contemporary Award is a collaborative project between APRA, the Australasian Performing Right Association and SOUNZ, Centre for New Zealand Music. SOUNZ administers the award and convenes a jury of four music professionals to judge the entries.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 20th September as part of the APRA Silver Scrolls Award evening.
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