Announcing the 2010 ISCM World New Music Days festival in Sydney

Sydney’s hosting of the ISCM World New Music Days festival from 30 April to 9 May heralds the first time in the 88-year history of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) that the prestigious event will be held in the southern hemisphere. It will also be the largest festival of contemporary music ever held in Australia.
 
Since the ISCM’s founding in 1922, ISCM festivals have included the world premieres of works by a diverse range of important composers, many of which have become standard repertoire, for example Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand. Australian works have regularly featured in the festival since 1938 in London, when Peggy Glanville Hicks’ Choral Suite was performed on a program which included Britten’s Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, and Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos, Percussion and Celesta.
 


In putting together the programme for this festival, more than 700 works from 52 countries were assessed, with over 82 works being selected. These reflect a broad spectrum of innovative musical practice, covering traditional chamber groups and choirs to cutting edge multimedia and sound installations. Music has been sourced from Australasia and Asia; Western and Eastern Europe; North, South and Central America, and South Africa.
 


There will be performances by some of Australia’s top music ensembles, from established professionals such as the Goldner String Quartet, The Song Company and Topology through to emerging artists including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Big Band, Sydney Symphony Fellowship and the Sydney Children’s Choir. Fresh from their recent success at the Sydney Festival, outstanding Sydney-based Ensemble Offspring will hold pride of place within the 2010 ISCM World New Music Days. They will present three performances, including a breakthrough concert of music by young composers from Australia, Greece, Sweden, South Africa and Russia.

 

In addition to the influx of international composers and delegates, we also welcome a strong international performing presence to the 2010 ISCM World New Music Days. The Spectra Ensemble from Belgium will perform at the Campbelltown Arts Centre; and the NZTrio will perform at the Eugene Goossens Hall (ABC Ultimo Centre) in Sydney. Groundbreaking composer Annea Lockwood (US/NZ) of Piano Burning fame will be in residence at the Campbelltown Arts Centre to install some of her piano works and to showcase a recent video work, Bow Falls.
 


Notable in the 2010 ISCM World New Music Days is the inclusion of a special category of radiophonic works – 14 works that have been specifically written for radio broadcast.  

Composers in this category are from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Turkey and Portugal.  Our media partner, ABC Classic FM, will be presenting these and other works recorded during the festival throughout Australia, as well as streamed via the web.

To view a complete list of selected works in the program please go to: http://www.worldnewmusicdays.com.au/?p=156

For Delegate and Composer Registration Forms [Registration deadline: 28 February]: http://www.worldnewmusicdays.com.au/?page_id=267

Applying for a VISA please go to: http://www.worldnewmusicdays.com.au/?page_id=267

2010 ISCM World New Music Days festival
When: 30 April – 9 May 2010
Artistic Director - Dr Matthew Hindson

Presenting partners: Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Aurora New Music, ABC Classic FM, Australian Music Centre, New Music Network and Campbelltown Arts Centre


Supporting Partners: Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW, Ars Musica Australis. Through the Australia Council for the Arts, funding has been made available for international ISCM delegates and for composers whose works will be performed to receive accommodation and entry to concerts for the duration of the festival. 

Venues: Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (Penrith), Eugene Goossens Hall (ABC Ultimo Centre), Parramatta Riverside Theatre, Blacktown Arts Centre and St. Finbar’s Church, Glenbrook.

For ticket information and more information, including a complete list of composers and performers, please go to http://www.worldnewmusicdays.com.au

Festival passes: (includes 22 concerts) are $250 - Adult|$125 - concession|$75 – student; Individual concerts from $10; and some events free.

Book Festival Passes at: http://www.cityrecitalhall.com/book/id/680 or call the box office on ph: (02) 8256 2222