From the brilliant singers of the Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ) comes a new song cycle bringing to life through music the poetry of Gwen Harwood. This project marks the second collection commissioned by AVÉ as they continue to expand their repertoire of new Australian vocal works, celebrating the incredible talent of the ensemble – Katie Noonan, Fiona Campbell OAM, Louis Hurley and Andrew O’Connor – and creating a unique sound world to be discovered and shared.
Katie Noonan, Artistic Director of AVÉ, shares her excitement: ‘Gwen Harwood was an inspiring woman in her own right and someone I’ve always personally admired for being a groundbreaking advocate at a time when women’s words were rarely published. Our journey into the heart of vocal expression has revealed how our voices can mirror the myriad of sentiments and stories embedded in Harwood’s work. Each composer featured on this album has approached Harwood’s texts with their own distinct style and vision, creating a unique soundscape that we have explored together. These compositions have become living interpretations that celebrate Australian music and poetry; we couldn’t be more proud to bring them to life.’
The album features works by some of Australia’s finest composers: Anne Cawrse, Elena Kats-Chernin, Joseph Twist, Kevin Barker, Andrew O’Connor, Paul Stanhope, Stephen Leek, Thomas Green, Sally Whitwell and Perry Joyce. Their unique interpretations of Harwood’s texts invite listeners inside Harwood’s world, to uncover their own interpretations of the poetry and music.
In July–August this year, AVÉ will be presenting music from this project live to communities in regional Queensland as part of a series of workshops and performances. This tour underscores AVÉ’s commitment to sharing their projects with a broader audience and providing collaborative opportunities for communities to engage with the ensemble through Australian art music.
AVÉ 2024 Tour Dates:
Tuesday, July 23 – Toowoomba (Workshop)
Wednesday, July 24 – Toowoomba (Performance)
Friday, July 26 – Bundaberg (Workshop and Performance)
Monday, July 29 – Townsville (Schools Workshop)
Tuesday, July 30 – Townsville (Performance)
Thursday, August 1 – Proserpine (Performance)
The Australian government has assisted this project through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. AVÉ was honoured to receive this project grant which will also support their next song cycle, commissioning a further six Australian composers for their 2025 program in collaboration with Tim Winton.
About Gwen Harwood:
Gwen Harwood (1920–1995) was a prominent Australian poet and librettist known for her powerful voice and exploration of human experiences. Her work is celebrated for its technical mastery, emotional depth, and rich intertextuality, touching on themes from domestic and personal to societal issues such as gender and identity. Harwood’s sharp intellect and wit shone through her use of irony and satire, making her a significant and much-loved figure in Australian literature.
About AVÉ:
Under the artistic direction of Katie Noonan, alongside internationally renowned artists Fiona Campbell, Louis Hurley, and Andrew O’Connor, AVÉ continues to distinguish itself through its focus on diverse and contemporary Australian compositions, including significant First Nations engagement and language revitalisation. Established in 2021, AVÉ is poised for a bold and innovative future, championing 21st-century Australian vocal works alongside traditional European vocal music. This creates a beautiful tension between the two while fostering community connections and encouraging their audiences to use their voice.
