NOMINATION: Work of the Year - Large Ensemble
Large ensemble music is defined as works for more than 12 players, with or without vocal parts, and with or without electronics. This may include works for orchestra, concert band, wind band, string orchestra.
A work is defined as a single complete musical composition, or expression. This includes music with movements or sub-works (i.e. song cycles), installations, and real-time compositions (improvised music).
If you believe your work to be nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.
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Nominee
Ella Macens
Title of the work
Cloud Magic
Performer
Sydney Conservatorium of Music Wind Ensemble
Performance Date
1/11/2024
Venue
Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney
Nominator Statement
'Cloud Magic' is an extraordinarily original piece that is unique in the Wind Symphony genre. It's a significant achievement that has substantial international potential. I asked Wind Symphony expert Steve Williams about his thoughts on 'Cloud Magic' as he was heavily involved in the workshopping and tour. He said:
"As a composition 'Cloud Magic' is quite unlike anything I have ever heard in the symphonic band repertory. It is an exquisitely sensitive and beautiful piece that explores unique instrumental colours and textures in combinations that pave a new path for the medium. It is significant not only in the sounds it explores but also for the story it tells. This substantial work has great depth, its harmonic language gravitating from 19th-century Romanticism to one of tension and dissonance, yet always carrying the listener on a very obvious and emotionally charged journey. At all times you are aware that you are hearing something new, something very unique and fresh.
"I was privileged to witness the impact the work had on the performers from the very first rehearsal. What was apparent immediately was that the group embraced its beauty, embraced it's obvious constructional artistry and from the first instance the players wanted to immerse themselves wholly in making the music come to life. There was an obvious emotional attachment to the harmonic and melodic flow, and consequently this was communicated immediately and effortlessly to their audiences in concert settings throughout the tour. The piece was certainly a highlight for performers and audiences alike wherever it was performed, including on a tour of Japan and Korea.
" 'Cloud Magic' is a significant new and exciting Australian work, substantial in length and substance. It shows compositional innovation in its style, and aesthetic writing for the wind symphony, and is a work which should and will be embraced and performed by ensembles around the world."
Nominee
Ella Macens
Title of the work
Cloud Magic
Performer
Sydney Conservatorium of Music Wind Ensemble
Performance Date
1/11/2024
Venue
Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney
"As a composition 'Cloud Magic' is quite unlike anything I have ever heard in the symphonic band repertory. It is an exquisitely sensitive and beautiful piece that explores unique instrumental colours and textures in combinations that pave a new path for the medium. It is significant not only in the sounds it explores but also for the story it tells. This substantial work has great depth, its harmonic language gravitating from 19th-century Romanticism to one of tension and dissonance, yet always carrying the listener on a very obvious and emotionally charged journey. At all times you are aware that you are hearing something new, something very unique and fresh.
"I was privileged to witness the impact the work had on the performers from the very first rehearsal. What was apparent immediately was that the group embraced its beauty, embraced it's obvious constructional artistry and from the first instance the players wanted to immerse themselves wholly in making the music come to life. There was an obvious emotional attachment to the harmonic and melodic flow, and consequently this was communicated immediately and effortlessly to their audiences in concert settings throughout the tour. The piece was certainly a highlight for performers and audiences alike wherever it was performed, including on a tour of Japan and Korea.
" 'Cloud Magic' is a significant new and exciting Australian work, substantial in length and substance. It shows compositional innovation in its style, and aesthetic writing for the wind symphony, and is a work which should and will be embraced and performed by ensembles around the world."