Bravely promoting new works, Adelaide Wind Orchestra taking premiere position nationally since 2012
Adelaide Wind Orchestra has presented a raft of Australian and world premiere works.
Adelaide Wind Orchestra, founded in 2012 by four Elder Conservatorium of Music graduates – Ben Bersten, Tim Frahn, Brad Turner and Martin Cheney, inspired by studying under Bob Hower – soon became ecame one of Australia’s leading wind ensembles, with renowned clarinetist Peter Handsworth as first director.
Besides creating professional performance opportunities after tertiary study, the orchestra clearly aimed for high quality and to reinvigorate the classical scene by developing contemporary art music in Australia along the lines of groups such as Netherlands Blazer Ensemble,Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and Dallas Wind Symphony. Its intent is to revive love for the wind ensemble, lost, aside from military bands, since the era of composer Percy Grainger (with Adelaide heritage).
A feature of Adelaide Wind Orchestra, putting it at the forefront of the Australian wind band movement, was its brave programming.
It’s presented a raft of Australian and world premieres, including Alfred Uhl’s “Serenade for 12 Winds”; Scott McAllister, “Freebirds”; Michael Colgrass, “Urban Requiem”; Ida Gotkovsky, “Symphonie”; David Maslanka, “Symphony 4”; David John Lang, “3 Preludes”; Steven Bryant, Concerto for Wind Ensemble; John Mackey, “Unquiet Spirits”, “Wine-Dark Sea”; Alan Hovhaness, Symphony 4; Christian Lindberg, Concerto for Winds and Percussion; Jess Langston Turner, “Rumpelstilzchen” and “You'll Come Matilda”; Julie Giroux, “A Symphony of Fables”; David Maslanka, Marimba Concerto; Cassie To, “Ostara’s Equinox”; Sam Young, “Glide Path”; Rachel Bruerville, “Double Concerto”; Anne Cawrse, “Skin Metal Wood” and Leah Blankendaal, “The comfortable shade of the tree”.
Adelaide Wind Orchestra’s principal conductor from 2019, Bryan Griffiths, had five years with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra before honing the art of conducting at Sydney Conservatorium. He also worked as associate conductor with Adelaide Youth Orchestra.