DAMIAN BARBELER
BIO
Damian Barbeler is a distinctive voice among Australian composers. His catalogue of
Damian
Barbeler is a distinctive
voice among
Australian
composers.
His catalogue
of works demonstrates
his versatility an
works demonstrates
his versatility
and creative
range,
encompassing
Australia’s
major
creative
range,
encompassing
Australia’s
major
orchestras,
notable
chamber
groups
and
soloists,
electronic/radiophonic
orchestras, notable chamber groups and soloists, electronic/radiophonic music, and
music,
works forand
children
and amateurs.
works and
for children
amateurs.
Hisearly
earlyexperience
experience
gained
a composer
and performer
in Brisbane’s
thriving theatre and experimenta
His
waswas
gained
as a as
composer
and performer
in Brisbane’s
thriving alternative
alternative
theatre
and
experimental
music
scene.
As
a
result,
his
compositions
an
music scene. As a result, his compositions bring an innovative and adventurous approach bring
to conventional
forces, a person
innovative and adventurous approach to conventional forces, a personal style
style
appreciated
by performers
andlisteners
listenersalike.
alike. Even
Even ininhis
elements
remain of the energetic young
appreciated
by performers
and
hislatest
latestcreations,
creations,
elements
student
whose
incidental
music
for
theatre
and
film,
performance-art
collaborations,
and
works
for unusual groupings
remain of the energetic young student whose incidental music for theatre and film,
(including
‘amplified
super-orchestra’)
attracted
critical attention.
performance-art
collaborations,
andfirst
works
for unusual
groupings (including ‘amplified
super-orchestra’) first attracted critical attention.
During this period of the 1990s he studied with Gerard Brophy, attaining his M.Mus from the Queensland Conservatorium
Duringother
this period
of the 1990s
he studiedactivities
with Gerard
Brophy, attaining
M.Mus
from
Among
compositional
and performance
he co-founded
the noted his
Brisbane
composers’
collective ‘Compos
the Queensland Conservatorium. Among other compositional and performance activities
he co-founded the noted Brisbane composers’ collective ‘Compost’.
On moving to Sydney in 1998 Barbeler’s works began to be heard more widely, including in broadcasts across Australia o
ABC
In 2001 he
a resident
composer
thetoSydney
Symphony,
and hisincluding
work Filter was included as par
On Classic
movingFM.
to Sydney
in was
1998
Barbeler’s
works with
began
be heard
more widely,
intheir
broadcasts
Australia
ABCthe
Classic
FM.
In 2001Gill.
heLater
wasthe
a resident
of
renownedacross
Education
Programonunder
direction
of Richard
same year,composer
and again in 2002, he participate
with
SydneyAustralian
Symphony,
and his Orchestral
work FilterForum,
was included
as part ofoftheir
renowned
in
thethe
prestigious
Composers
seen as something
a launching
pad for serious Australian
Education
Program
under
the
direction
of
Richard
Gill.
Later
the
same
year,
and
again
in
composers since its inception in 1980. Barbeler’s tutors for these sessions included Michael
Smetanin
and Roger Smalle
2002, he participated in the prestigious Australian Composers Orchestral Forum, seen as
During
ACOF two
were premiered
by the West
Australian
Symphonysince
Orchestra
under Kevin
something
of aworks
launching
pad for serious
Australian
composers
its inception
in Field: Curlicues for Orchest
and
Elastic
Horizons.
The
latter
work
was
later
elected
a
‘Recommended’
piece
at
the
International
Music Council’s Compos
1980. Barbeler’s tutors for these sessions included Michael Smetanin and Roger Smalley.
Rostrum
in Vienna
in works
2003, placing
Barbeler in distinguished
‘Recommended’
During ACOF
two
were premiered
by the West company.
Australian(Previous
Symphony
Orchestra composers have include
under Kevin
Field:
Orchestra
and Elastic
Thesubsequently
latter work was
Benjamin
Britten
and Curlicues
Brett Dean, for
among
other notables.)
ElasticHorizons.
Horizons was
broadcast in numerous countrie
later
elected
a
‘Recommended’
piece
at
the
International
Music
Council’s
Composer
across Europe.
Rostrum in Vienna in 2003, placing Barbeler in distinguished company. (Previous
‘Recommended’ composers have included Benjamin Britten and Brett Dean, among other
Alongside
busy composing
Damian Barbeler
has ininthe
past decade
acquiredacross
a growing reputation as a mus
notables.)his
Elastic
Horizons schedule,
was subsequently
broadcast
numerous
countries
educator.
As
well
as
tutoring
in
composition
at
the
award-winning
music
department
of
MLC
School, Burwood NSW, he is i
Europe.
demand through the Musica Viva in Schools program as a composer-in-residence. He also co-authored (with Diana Blom an
Alongside
his busy
schedule,
Damian
Barbeler
in the
past
Matthew
Hindson)
thecomposing
Music Composition
Toolbox
[Science
Press,has
2006]
which
hasdecade
become a best-selling composition
acquired
a
growing
reputation
as
a
music
educator.
As
well
as
tutoring
in
composition
at
textbook and has been reprinted in several countries around the world.
the award-winning music department of MLC School, Burwood NSW, he is in demand
through the Musica Viva in Schools program as a composer-in-residence. He also coIn
2006, Barbeler
was awarded
the Matthew
highly sought-after
Composer
Fellowship, supporting the creation
authored
(with Diana
Blom and
Hindson)Ian
thePotter
MusicEmerging
Composition
Toolbox
of
seven
works
over
two
years.
Music
created
under
the
auspices
of
this
Fellowship
includes
commissions for recorder
[Science Press, 2006] which has become a best-selling composition textbook and has
player
Genevievein
Lacey
and,countries
with librettist
Rodney
a chamber opera for Southern Cross Soloists, was premiered in
been reprinted
several
around
theHall,
world.
2008. His Valse Diploblastic (2007), performed by percussionist Claire Edwardes, violinist James Cuddeford and domest
In 2006, Barbeler
was awarded
highly
sought-after
Ian Potter
Emerging
Composer
tumble-dryer
was glowingly
reviewedthe
in the
Sydney
Morning Herald,
“Damian
Barbeler's
Valse Diploblastic for violin, marimb
Fellowship,
supporting
the
creation
of
seven
works
over
two
years.
Music
created
undergestural suggestivenes
and home appliance (a clothes dryer with an alarmingly low energy-efficiency rating) reintroduced
the auspices of this Fellowship includes commissions for recorder player Genevieve
the
firstand,
movement,
played against
dryer's
hum, wasopera
built of
yearning
between
Lacey
with librettist
Rodneythe
Hall,
a chamber
fordelicate
Southern
Crossphrases
Soloists,
was marimba (Claire
Edwardes)
and
violin
(James
Cudderford)
that
pirouetted
achingly
like
two
people
learning
to
kiss.”
premiered in 2008. His Valse Diploblastic (2007), performed by percussionist Claire
Edwardes, violinist James Cuddeford and domestic tumble-dryer was glowingly reviewed
2007 also saw the creation of Tuning Orfeo (2007), a radiophonic work expanding on Barbeler’s success with Interview wi
the Artist as a Young Man (2006). He also had a significant international breakthrough with his work God in the Machine
being selected for the 2008 Takemitsu Composition award finals. The work was premiered at the finals concert in Tokyo t
great acclaim with Steve Reich commenting on Barbeler “master orchestration” and Takemitsu’s old friend Joji Yuasa reflectin
on the echoes of Takemitsu which he heard in Barbeler’s work, a compliments Barbeler greatly cherishes to this day.
in the Sydney Morning Herald, “Damian Barbeler's Valse Diploblastic for violin, marimba
and home appliance (a clothes dryer with an alarmingly low energy-efficiency rating)
reintroduced gestural suggestiveness: the first movement, played against the dryer's
hum, was built of delicate yearning phrases between marimba (Claire Edwardes) and
violin (James Cudderford) that pirouetted achingly like two people learning to kiss.”
2007 also saw the creation of Tuning Orfeo (2007), a radiophonic work expanding on
Barbeler’s success with Interview with the Artist as a Young Man (2006). He also had a
significant international breakthrough with his work God in the Machine being selected for
the 2008 Takemitsu Composition award finals. The work was premiered at the finals
concert in Tokyo to great acclaim with Steve Reich commenting on Barbeler “master
orchestration” and Takemitsu’s old friend Joji Yuasa reflecting on the echoes of
Takemitsu which he heard in Barbeler’s work, a compliments Barbeler greatly cherishes
to this day.
In 2009, Barbeler had a wide array of premieres and commissions, including Laid in Earth
a major concert event created for the Queensland Music Festival, Beethoven 5.1 (for
walking flutes) at the Brisbane Festival, Poor Child (performed by Merlyn Quaife and
Caroline Almonte) at the Ian Potter Foundation concert in Melbourne Recital Hall, and
Confession 2 at Huddersfield Festival. 2010 was also a busy and full year with such
achievements as an Artist Residency with Hassell Architects, the completion of his PhD
at the Sydney Conservatorium, commissions from Sysney Symphony Fellowship
ensemble and Seven Harps Ensemble. Barbeler’s Elastic Horizons was included on the
ABC’s "Classic Amp" – a permanent online archive of significant Australian works.
Barbeler’s Silk Panels (inspired by the exquisite Japanese painted silk or paper folding
screens and doors) was premiered by Ironwood Chamber Ensemble in concerts in
Sydney and Melbourne in March 2010. This significant work received praise from critics
and audiences alike.
Barbeler is Composer-in-Residence at the Campbelltown Arts Centre in 2011. This
includes premieres of new works in addition to lectures and workshops. In March 2011,
Saltstream was premiered at the Sydney Opera House. Students from the MLC School,
along with award-winning Australian pianist Michael Kieran Harvey performed this highly
avant-garde work, for two pianos and six violins. Saltstream showcased Barbeler’s
innovative and immersive approach to the concert experience. It featured fully integrated
elements from other art forms, including live sound-reactive video from international
media artist Tim Gruchy and spectacular silk-trained dresses for the violinists, designed
by Akira Isogawa.
In July 2011, Damian’s AILAN KORES project was premiered at the Queensland Music
Festival. The culmination of two year’s work with communities from the Torres Strait
Islands, this remarkable project brought together a 40-voice choir from six islands, the
Queensland Youth Orchestra, and professional soloists. The concert, which featured
Damian’s new work The Temptation of Christ, was critically acclaimed as one of the
highlights of this year’s Festival. This project followed a similar one for the QMF in 2009,
LAID IN EARTH in which local singers from the Cooktown region where joined by
professionals instrumentalists and singer Sarah Blasko for a concert of new music
celebrating the history, people and atmosphere of Far North Queensland
In October, a new work, Seven Shades of Sorrow will be premiered by the Seven Harps
Ensemble and Damian will also undertake a commission residency at Four Winds
Festival in Bermagui for which he will create a work for two pianos inspired by the
landscape of the far south coast of NSW. Damian is also one of the featured “characters”
in Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond’s highly successful documentary feature Mrs
Carey’s Concert, which will be released on DVD later this year.
September 2011