For those wanting to experience a fusion of classical music with modern direction, Brisbane composer Gordon Hamilton's 'Ghosts In The Orchestra' promises a daring new project that removes the boundaries between singer and musician.
Touted as a visionary new way of experiencing one of Australia's most sought after choirs, The Australian Voices, the experience is set to be anything but traditional.
Individual choristers (the ghosts) will be scattered throughout the orchestra in a bold contemplation of freedom of speech. The orchestra responds enthusiastically, unrolling the commandments into symphonic gestures.
The man behind this vision is Brisbane's Gordon Hamilton. Described by conductor and broadcaster Graham Abbott as a “powerhouse of musical ideas”, Gordon is one of Australia’s most exciting young composers. His youthful direction set amidst the classical environment makes for an exciting result. To learn more we managed to get a few words in with the mastermind behind this new performance.
Who are The Australian Voices?
The Australian Voices are a national choir based in Brisbane made up of vocalists from all Australia playing very new music.
If you had to describe The Australian Voices in three words which words would you choose?
Young, crisp and energetic.
Your upcoming show 'Ghosts In The Orchestra' has been talked about as groundbreaking. How was the concept conceived?
It came about through many conversations with the director, and we were talking about what had never been done before. We decided it would be really cool to have a choir stand among the orchestral musicians. Normally the choir is placed behind the orchestra and we wanted to treat the choir like an orchestral force, singing instructions to the orchestra, walking the audience through the listening experience.
What's the biggest lesson you've learnt about life as a composer?
Putting together something can be very difficult and you have to accomplish it bit by bit. Writing a piece can often take seven or eight months, it never all comes in one go.
What or who are your biggest influences at the moment?
Banksy. Not in a direct way, but I love the playfulness of his art — very political; things can appear flippant.
If The Australian Voices could cover any song what would it be and why?
I would happily do a Lorde song, probably 'Royals'. We did something similar a while back where we took the top 30 songs in the US and mashed them up. It's called 'Tra$h Ma$h'. I also composed something that was completely taken from my news feed, using status updates to create a song.
Do you have a memorable performance or venue that stays with you?
The most amazing place we have ever been with the choir is to Palestine, to Bethlehem last year performing in a refugee camp, in community centres, in a church, performing very modern Australian music for the kids, living in very poor conditions. That is probably the most meaningful experience in my life.
If you weren't a composer, what would you be and why?
I love politics and linguistics so maybe something along those lines.
And finally, if you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Alan Turing, the British mathematician. He worked in British intelligence and helped make the first computers. I'd like to talk to him about iPods and iPads.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra presents 'Ghosts In The Orchestra' at the QPAC Concert Hall Saturday August 9.
