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The marimba….rosewood meets aluminium

The NSW Doctors’ Orchestra (see Music, Medics and Marimbas) is soon performing in Sydney with Sandy Sin on the marimbas. SoundsLikeSydney took the opportunity to refresh its memory on this unusual percussion instrument…. The marimba is fundamentally a xylophone, taken to South American continent by African slaves where it acquired its name and became especially…
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critiquing the critic

Audiences rely on them; performers love them or loathe them. Much has been discussed and written about the role of the critic. In an ideal world, the critic would perform one key function: to express a knowledgeable and balanced opinion about as many possible aspects of a performance which they have attended. They inform their readers about…
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happy birthday dame nellie!

Dame Nelli Melba was born on May 19th 1861. Today marks the sesquicentenaryof her birth in Melbourne. Australia Post has released a stamp to commemorate the occasion. Good enough reason to actuall post a letter, rather than send an email! On the stamp is fellow Victorian Rupert Bunny’s salon portrait of the great soprano. Did…
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Double Apra awards to Paul Stanhope

In a project reminiscent of Daniel Barenboim’s efforths at political and social reconciliation through music, composer Paul Stanhope has created  “Exile Lamentations” , a work for chamber choir, soloists and oud, which was performed in Sydney by the Sydney Chamber Choir recently.  This week Stanhope was awarded two APRA awards for composing both this (“Deserts of…
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“The origin cycle” wins 2011 APRA Performance of the year award

In November 2009, what might have been  “A Night at the Museum”  saw the Sydney premiere of the “Origin Cycle”  at the Australian Museum. This intriguing performance by soprano Jane Sheldon and Ensemble Offspring, conducted by Roland Peelman, is now a contender for the title of Performance of the Year in the 2011 APRA Arts Music Awards. “The Origin Cycle”  is…
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