The TSO and our Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Eivind Aadland have long championed composer Holly Harrison's music. Now, her new work for classical accordion is set to wow audiences across Australia.
Holly, who is one of the nation’s most in-demand composers, has written a piece for star accordionist James Crabb, which James will perform in Hobart on 1 October.
It is an exciting co-commission between the TSO and the Adelaide, Queensland and West Australian symphony orchestras and is the subject of a feature article in Limelight this month.
Holly has a deep connection with the TSO, having been Composer in Residence with the TSO-led Australian Composers’ School from 2020–2021.
During that time, she wrote several works that were both performed and recorded by Eivind and the TSO.
‘I wrote five works for TSO during the residency and it was certainly a career defining moment,’ Holly says. ‘I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity and platform to kickstart my orchestral career in this way. As a result, the TSO always feels like home.’
As Limelight’s Katie Yapp says, Holly has gone on to become one of Australia’s leading young composers, whose ‘clear, distinctive musical voice is filled with vitality and imagination’.
In composing her classical music, Holly draws inspiration from unexpected sources such as jazz, funk – even Frank Zappa.
‘Holly is fun to work with, and she is open to input from the conductor and orchestra. She has a joyful and positive energy – just like her music,’ Eivind says.
‘Her music is lively – with dancing and unexpected colours. Holly is very good with the rhythmic element. She borrows some of these rhythmic elements from popular music but she also has an unmistakeable personal voice.’
In turn, Holly is full of praise for Eivind’s ability to ‘bring out the colours and grooves’ and ‘embrace the wildness’ of her music.
‘Eivind is a very thoughtful and generous conductor. He’s always had a strong sense of how to bring out the colours and grooves in my music, and embrace the wildness,’ Holly says.
‘He’s incredibly supportive and encouraging. I also really appreciate his interest in contemporary art and new ideas.’
Written especially for the TSO, Holly body-percussion piece for orchestra called Power Up involves audience engagement and has become a favourite feature of the TSO’s schools program.
It is also available as a free downloadable activity for schools as part of the TSO’s Schools Resource Library.
James Crabb will perform Holly’s new Concerto for Classical Accordion with the ASO in July, the QSO in September, the TSO on 1 October as part of our 6pm Series and WASO in November.
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