Music is built on relationships - it is not created or performed in a vacuum. As performers of contemporary music, we have the opportunity to work alongside living composers - to question, connect and interact with them about their music. The works we have commissioned and performed are not just interesting items curated into programs, but are brought to life through these conversations as we learn more about the composers and their own specific musical languages and personalities. This dialogue has also allowed us to experience the fascinating intersection between composer and performer in the birthing of new work and to forge long-standing relationships with a significant number of composers over the years (you can see the long list of performed composers here but there are dozens more we’ve worked with in workshop and individual mentoring sessions).
Halcyon created the series In Conversation With…. in June 2018 to shine a light on Australian composers who work in vocal music, to explore their thoughts and provide insights into works that Halcyon has performed. Filmed in conversation with artistic director Jenny Duck-Chong, each interview is edited into bite-sized topical clips and hosted on YouTube. The project has been supported by the Australian Music Centre, and the clips are also embedded on composer or work pages on their site.
In Conversation With…. has been a largely self-funded project to help audiences, students and self-confessed ‘composer-nerds’ learn more about the process and practicalities of composition and the very different ways that composers can approach writing for voice. While it is a valuable educational tool, we hope it also appeals to those who just want to gain a better understanding of the person behind the music and gives them new ways to listen to their work. It features both long-established composers and younger generations to provide a snapshot of composition today. Back in November 2018 Jenny wrote an article for Resonate about the series and the first four featured composers which you can read here.
On the June long weekend, In Conversation With…. turned two. The playlist now features 10 composers - Katy Abbott, Ross Edwards, Andrew Ford, Elliott Gyger, Matthew Hindson, Gordon Kerry, Raffaele Marcellino, Kevin March, Nicole Murphy and Andrew Schultz - and 35+ clips covering topics including Writing for Voice, Setting Text, Composition, Recording, Collaboration, Being an Australian Composer and more. Three more composers are in production and more interviews are planned when travel restrictions ease.
Take some time to explore the series here and discover something new today. We have been uploading a new clip each week in June so subscribe if you don’t want to miss any new installments.
Two years on, if you have enjoyed the resource and would like to support the creation of more videos, please consider making a donation to support Halcyon in growing this resource.