 WALTMANSEARLY AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC |
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CLAIRE COWAN (NZ) Born in Auckland in 1983, Claire studied piano and cello from an early age. Claire's compositions have been performed by the Auckland Philharmonia, the Manakau City Symphony, the NZSO, the Netherlands Blazer Ensemble, the Wellington Youth Orchestra, and the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Her music has been performed throughout New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Europe. She recently graduated from Auckland University with a Bachelors degree in musical composition. While at Auckland she studied orchestration, electronic music and composition with Eve De Castro Robinson, John Elmsly, Peter Scholes and Victoria Kelly. She has received both junior and senior University Bishop music scholarships, and three Lilburn composition awards. Claire enjoys writing for and listening to an eclectic range of music and ensembles. In 2006, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra programmed her work 'My Alphabet of Light' for their 'Made in NZ' concert, alongside works from her professors. This year she is also Composer in Residence with the National Youth Orchestra, with her work 'The Trains of Thinking.' She was mentored by composer John Psathas during her residency. Her musical output reflects her wider interest in the Arts, having trained in drama and dance from an early age. Her passion for composition lies in the collaboration with other artists - particularly in the area of film, dance and theatre. Most recently, she has been awarded the University of Auckland Arts Society award for success in composition. Recent Reviews "....playful, quixotic and jazzy, the music enacting some kind of game of chase between right and left hands and white and black keys. There were lovely ambient changes of texture through pedal effects, over which exotic folk-instrumental colours and repeated gamelan-like notes sounded and resounded, before the jolly skipping rhythm of the opening returned, creating a rather whimsical impression of something familiar turned every which way and regarded in a new light." - Peter Mechen, of Shadowhands performed by John Chen, Lower Hutt 2005 ....I'm sure she's going to figure very very strongly in New Zealand composition for orchestra in the future. Upbeat Review, Concert FM Sept 06 the orchestra carefully illuminated the pinpoint details of its opening pages and responded with enthusiasm when its resident composer demanded an outburst of Ravelian sumptuousness. - William Dart, NZ Herald 06 Trains of Thinking showed all the delicacy and acute ear for orchestral detail that we've come to expect from the composer of My Alphabet of Light. At the outset, harp, winds and strings awaken each other, alternating their differing textural strands as with tapestried detail, rhythms crossing and interweaving and colours creating a hugely luminous effect, through which motoric impulses occasionally ride, some subtle, and some quasi-disruptive. The textures and colours constantly evolve into something new, reflecting the ever-changing nature of things, with even the powerful string ostinati undergoing its own evolutionary phase. The piece courts both ritualistic and ceremonial modes before returning to the harp is somewhat enigmatic repeated-note opening. Peter Mechen, Concert FM 06. Whilst working collaboratively she has also continued with concert commissions, in 2008 including 'Recipe for Disaster' for two conductors and split orchestra, 'Wood:Strings:Hammers:Flesh" for Piano Trio Scintillatum, and "Legend of the Trojan bird' for the Auckland Youth Orchestra's 60th Anniversary USA tour. Her music has been heard across the USA, Japan, Germany, Australia, New York and the UK. In 2008 Claire divides her time between Auckland and New York City, pursuing further collaborations with artists in both cities. www.clairesmusic.com |
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