composition
Navigating the nexus of classical contemporary and world music, Amanda is a composer with a unique and distinctive musical style.
Her music has been described and reviewed as “... hauntingly beautiful, creative, cohesive and compositionally advanced...”, “...engaging and evocative” and “seductive with a Spanish tinge, and a lot of grit”.
Amanda has a Masters’ Degree in Composition with a thesis titled Music of Balance: The Circle in a Square. She has also undertaken private study and tuition in flamenco and tango music abroad. Her compositions explore a range of themes such as mandalas, mythologies, landscapes and dance forms. Her catalogue of scores includes many commissioned works for various ensembles and soloists. Amanda’s music has been performed in National and International Festivals, broadcast on radio, and recorded on CDs by other artists.
To read Amanda’s full composition bio click HERE
SCORES
Many of Amanda’s scores can be purchased through Wirripang Publications. Other works are available by contacting her directly or, through the Australian Music Centre.
EXAMPLES OF MAJOR WORKS and AUDIO SAMPLES
CHAMBER MUSIC
Red, Yellow, Black and White: Music for Reconciliation- for two pianos and percussion. Commissioned by Ars Musica Australis. The premiere given by Daniel Herscovitch, Michael Leslie, Daryl Pratt and Alison Eddington. Recorded at the Joan Sutherland Centre and broadcast on ABC-FM radio 2001.
FOR THE AMEB
Stalactite - published in series 17, AMEB Pianoforte Grade 5
Dreamboat Blues – published in series 18, AMEB Pianoforte Grade 6
GUITAR MUSIC
The Salas Set guitar duo for ZOO duo premiere VCA Melbourne 1998
Dances to the Night Sky a set of three pieces forSydney Guitar Trio premiere Darwin International Festival 1999
Goarounds and Grounds guitar and flute, broadcast live on ABC-FM performers Carolyn Kidd and Virginia Taylor Canberra 2000
Without Feet They Dancecommissioned by Melbourne guitarist Paul Nash 2000
Dry Red commissioned by the Darwin International Guitar Festival for premiere 2002
VOCAL
Sznuvah Szn(Bulgarian text set for six parts) performed by The Song Company at the 'Sagra Musicale di Perugia' International Festival in Italy 2003 with conductor Roland Peelman.
FLUTE
In the Vapours of Delphi solo for Naomi Halls (Associate level in 4 movements)
Driftwood for Beate Lackmann (Licentiate level with extended techniques)
PIANO solos
Zardash commissioned by the late Aaron McMillan in 2001. It was recorded on Arc of Light, a CD presentation of Australian piano music for the re-opening of the ancient Alexandria Library in Egypt. Aaron performed the work on numerous occasions. It is also recorded on Amanda’s CD Gardens of Stone and the piece is being used frequently for HSC performances and Diploma piano candidates in the free choice section. (See video clip above).
The Seduction of Andalucia published and recorded by Dr Katie Zhukov in the Australian Women Composers’ Anthology (grade 8) Wirripang Pty Ltd. The piece is on the AMEB syllabus for the Certificate of Piano Performance examination and ANZCA grade 8.
The Stones Start spinning from the Rumi Dyptich published and recorded by Dr Katie Zhukov in the Australian Women Composers’ Anthology volume 2 (grade 7) Wirripang Pty Ltd.