September 2011

From The Editor

I think the Sydney Symphony has done it again … in 2012 the orchestra will celebrate eighty years with yet another illustrious guest list of local and international musicians and conductors. In this commemorative year the Sydney Symphony will be reflecting on its history and celebrating its many substantial achievements. In our cover story Peter Kurti talks to director of artistic planning Peter Czornyj, about a special season for a special year. Read more

Every second year young pianists from around the world ascend to the Southern Highlands to battle it out for $20,000 prize money and further international concert opportunities in a gruelling 10 day competition. The esteemed jurors are headed by Mira Yevtich, founder of the Contemporary Faces Festival, held annually in St Petersburg and renowned conductor Valery Gergiev is the artistic patron of the competition. Van-Anh Nguyen goes behind the scenes to find out more from artistic director of the Southern Highlands International Piano Competition, composer and pianist Grant Foster.

In July this year Sydney saxophonist and composer Matt Keegan was announced the winner of the 2011 Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship for Jazz at a concert at the Sydney Opera House. The fellowship assists performers up to 36 years of age to further their careers. Nominees propose a specific project to pursue their career objectives. Matt intends to initiate a creative development project between a select group of his musical peers from India and Australia. Chris Ruhle asks Matt about his career and his plans for the Freedman Fellowship.

This month, Peter Coleman-Wright who has performed on many prestigious opera stages around the world, returns to Sydney for Opera Australia’s new production of Verdi’s Macbeth, taking on the notoriously difficult role of the ill-fated Macbeth. Derek Parker chats with the Australian baritone about the role he always wanted to sing.

And as always there’s our Program Guide, to help you enjoy another month of fine music with 2MBS-FM 102.5.

Ildikó