MSO | First Voices Showcase
June 4, 2025, Iwaki Auditorium, Southbank, VIC
What a privilege to journey with a musician, artist, or, as in this case, composer, as they explore, and expand their craft and technical abilities.
The MSO’s First Voices Showcase is one such program, where emerging artists are supported to compose for orchestral forces, helping to expand their musical palette and ability to write for a variety of instruments.
Now in its third year, the First Voices Showcase, supported by Equity Trustees and the City of Melbourne, continues to inspire emerging First Nations composers.
The concert of three works, two new and one familiar, was conducted by Aaron Wyatt, Noongar man, viola player, composer and conductor, whose presence was supported by the Sage Foundation.
The first of the three works was Nyirrimarr Ngamatyata // To Lose Yourself at Sea by James Howard (born 1991) a Jaadwa/Jardwadjali composer, from the south western part of Victoria.
The work was described by the composer as being about a sea voyage gone wrong. However, James also spoke about the direct impact of the 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum on his mental health.
This made a lot of sense listening to his work. There were moments of building tension and opaqueness, including a haunting and beautiful clarinet solo performed by Philip Arkinstall, and wonderfully naturalistic sounds from the woodwinds caused by the clattering of keys and blustering of mouthpieces from MSO players Joolee Kim, Michael Pisani and Jack Schiller.
The middle work I remembered from a previous performance in the First Voices Showcase, and it was great to hear it again. Leon Rogers’ Seven Sisters is a playful interpretation of the Dreamtime story. I was reminded of the strong rhythms and building drama of the story, as the sisters are pursued by a man from another skin group, and eventually launch themselves into the sky to escape.
It was lovely to see the composer in the audience. I wish, however, that he had gotten up for a bow as well at the end, to accept our appreciation for his work.
Nathaniel Andrew (born 1987) is a Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and Vanuatu man, and well known as a jazz, country and contemporary musician who has performed around the world. His work for orchestra, Fragments, explores the thought-process of receiving a new idea. Perhaps it’s not easy to accept something new, but after working through a process, the idea is validated and adopted.
Fragments is a lyrical and very pretty work, that uses the full range of timbres on offer, floating melodies and untamed rhythms, that didn’t seem to conform to singular identities. It was a lovely balance to the opening works, and, in itself, a great expression of thoughts and life and lightness.
During the conversations between conductor Aaron Wyatt and James Howard and Nathaniel Andrew – and previously with Leon Rogers also – it emerged that the opportunity to compose for orchestral forces is incredibly valuable and valued. It was also lovely to see MSO First Nations Creative Chair, Professor Deborah Cheetham AO FAHA actively cheering on the new talent.
Hearing new work is exciting. But to be there in the room with the talent, and their friends and support-base is heartwarming. Hope to see you there next year.
see this performance online >>
Photo credit: Laura Manariti
