Julia Hill - Nocturne for a Southern Cross

NOMINATION: Performance of the Year - Notated Composition

NOMINATION: Performance of the Year - Notated Composition

For the performance of a single Australian work, showcasing the performer(s)’ success in revealing the nature and intention of a composition with clear notated instructions for the performer. Works with significant improvisatory aspects should instead be submitted for Performance of the Year: Jazz / Improvised Music. 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 performance 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

Julia Hill

Nominee email

juliahillviolin@gmail.com

Title of the work

Nocturne for a Southern Cross

Composer(s) of the work

Paul Nicolaou

Performance Date

25/10/2024

Venue

FourthWall Arts, Brisbane

Nominator Statement
Julia Hills performance of Nocturne for a Southern Cross demonstrated an exceptional display of sensitive musicality and technical brilliance. The work fit intricately into her powerfully crafted program Renaissance: A musical portrait of the last four years, depicting Julia's touching story of recovery and resilience. Through her musical travels in Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan, be whisked away into Julia's discovery of what life and music truly means to her.

Hills profound expressiveness shines in every corner of this performance, enhanced by the personal and intimate nature of her relationship with the piece and its significance in her journey. She brilliantly illuminates the five stars based in the works origin, illustrating moments of a blazing celestial tapestry. From the sparse opening depicting the scarce illumination of each star, growing to the sparkling constellation as a whole, then finally to the glorious blazing galaxy; she demonstrates extraordinary control and musicality, exploring the unique musical worlds between each. She skilfully balances the intensity and brightness of the stars in their ignition, and the playfulness of dancing between them.

Hills expressive range is particularly notable for a violinist of her age. She draws listeners inwards during intimate moments of sparkling harmonics and fragile melodies. In moments of power, her control and capacity are capable of filling each corner of the room, not just in volume and projection, but also in expression and character. Her performance of the works climax features a glittering explosion of sound and colour, like the stars themselves combusting into a beautiful and overwhelming spectacle.

Julia Hill is a trailblazer of her generation, carving the way of young artists aiming to present more to the world than just the notes on the page. She aspires to move audiences, and serve the Australian cultural scene as whole. Her enthusiasm and care for Australian Art Music is what ensures the artform can continue prosperously and in creative, passionate and skilled hands, and this performance is a testament to that virtue.

Eligibility checklist

Support Materials

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