New music for new ears
New music for new audiences is the keynote motive behind the WA Symphony Orchestra's move from the Perth Concert Hall to the Astor Theatre.
Creating fresh sounds for new ears is Perth composer Lachlan Skipworth, whose clarinet concerto will be played by soloist Ashley Smith with the WASO, led by Swiss guest conductor Baldur Bronnimann.
Skipworth said next week's Latitude series of new and experimental music showed how classical music was a vital and evolving form that could be stretched in exciting ways.
"We do have some great music in the tradition but it is often forgotten that it is ongoing," he said.
"Part of my work is to find new ways to engage people. The use of harmony and rhythm has changed a lot." WASO spokeswoman Paula Schibeci said the Astor concerts on Wednesday and Saturday provided a more intimate setting for 74 musicians to perform for a younger and different audience than usually frequented the Concert Hall.
"It gets pretty cosy and tight in there," Ms Schibeci said. "People in the front row could literally reach out and touch the musicians, not that we encourage that."
The first concert coincides with the 30th birthday of Smith, who said the opportunity to premiere a new orchestral work was a rare gift.
Skipworth, a clarinettist who also learnt the shakuhachi flute for two years in Japan, was composer-in-residence at the WASO earlier this year.
"It is a real pleasure to work this deeply with the orchestra," he said.
