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Focal Point 17.08.22

Focal Point Focal Point Jazz World Music

A look at music that is both on the rise, and causing waves around the globe.

CD Review – Fable

CD Reviews Fine Music Magazine Paul Cooke

Jacinta Dennett is an Australian harpist, and this album gathers a number of compositions for solo harp by Australian women composers. They range chronologically from Peggy Glanville-Hicks’ Sonata for harp, written in 1950-51 for the Spanish harpist Nicanor Zabaleta and still performed by him more than 30 years later, to a work commissioned by Dennett, Alicia Grant’s Three pieces for harp, a depiction of a coastal environment.

CD Review – Dora Pejacevic: Piano Concerto; Symphony

CD Reviews Fine Music Magazine James Nightingale

Research into the work of minor composers of the early part of the 20th century has unearthed a few gems in recent years, and the music of the Croatian composer, Dora Pejačević is another welcome addition to the musical picture of the period. Pejačević had a privileged upbringing but was also caught up in the turbulence of the times, including nursing in the Great War, while demanding that her music be accepted on her own terms.

In Conversation: Guy Simpson

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore

On In Conversation on Wednesday 10 August Simon's guest was a person the musical theatre scene in Australia and around the world owes a great deal to... Guy Simpson.

He has been supervising productions of The Phantom of the Opera for over 30 years around the world, from South Africa to New Zealand, Brazil to the Philippines. He has a similarly long association with productions of Miss Saigon, and has been instrumental in countless others – from the larger scale, like Evita and West Side Story, to the intimate, such as Anna O’Byrne’s recent one woman show Becoming Eliza, who was a guest on In Conversation back in May.

Vale Judith Durham AO

Breakfast Interviews Simon Moore

With the passing of Judith Durham AO, we thought it worthwhile to revisit this chat Simon Moore had with her in October 2014, at the time of the launch of her final album, Live in London. She was a true icon of the Australian music scene, with broad appeal across varied musical genres. Her positive outlook and generous spirit is evident in this interview. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this sad time.

In Conversation: Jack Liebeck

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore

This Wednesday at 1pm, In Conversation is on tour, coming to you from the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, in Townsville, which runs until this Sunday, 7 August. The Festival’s new Artistic Director is British/German Violinist Jack Liebeck. His music ranges from the intricacy of Mozart through to the passion of contemporary Australian works by Brett Dean. He’s on a whopping 17 albums, including playing on the film scores of Jane Eyre and Anna Karenina, has a keen interest in science to the extent that he’s collaborated with Professor Brian Cox, and he’s been described as possessing “flawless technical mastery”...

CD of the Week

CD of the Week Friends Offers Giveaways

Kate Wadey is back with her third studio album “Forever Like This.” Written in collaboration with some of Australia’s finest composers and musicians, “Forever Like This,” presents a dazzling array of original compositions, showcasing Kate’s sophisticated storytelling and enchanting voice. Kate Wadey was winner of the inaugural Ken Weatherly Scholarship and “Forever Like This” was funded with the help of 2MBS Fine Music Sydney.

Simon Moore interviews Maria Lindsay

Breakfast Interviews Simon Moore

On this Thursday’s Fine Music Breakfast, Simon Moore spoke with violinist Maria Lindsay, who will be performing Tommy Tycho’s Violin Concerto with The Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams at the Petersham Town Hall on Saturday 30 July. This violin concerto was written specially for Maria to play, and she shares with us the story of how the concerto came into being and the important role that Tommy Tycho played in the Australian music scene.

In Conversation

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore Uncategorized

An actor whose career on the stage, film and television is approaching half a century and still going strong, Simon Burke burst onto the scene in the highly acclaimed Devil’s Playground at the age of 13.

FineJazz welcomes Jazz About Town

Jazz News and Events Programs

Planning your next live jazz outing? The FineJazz crew is excited to announce our new program, Jazz About Town, with Deborah Evans. It is an audio guide to jazz musicians playing at Sydney jazz gigs in the coming weeks. What’s hot in Sydney. You can hear it on Tuesdays at 1pm, and listen back from our website.