Innovative concert in praise of Bjork
Fans of award-winning composer Claire Cowan (pictured) or the music of Icelandic star Bjork have the chance to experience an innovative avant-garde performance in Hamilton next week.
Cowan’s Blackbird Ensemble will perform an homage to Bjork called All is Full of Love next Tuesday, October 22, at Waikato University.
The inventive arrangement serves up a feast of the Icelandic pop artist’s finest songs across the decades.
Each of her classics are reimagined with a group of musicians who play everything from traditional strings, brass, woodwind, keys and percussions to food packaging, whistles and umbrellas.
As part of Blackbird Ensemble, Claire constantly challenges the notion of performance by seeking imaginative ways for audiences to have an unforgettable experience.
All is Full of Love is an example of their ability as a collective to take captivating and powerful music one step further — with phenomenal lighting and sound along with elaborate costuming to transport audiences to an emotional world of wonder, she says.
Claire is celebrated for her flair, intricacy and versatility.
She has worked with New Zealand’s top tier of pop talent, including Julia Deans, Anika Moa, Dave Dobbyn, The Modern Ma¯ ori Quartet, Jon Toogood, Bic Runga and Tim Finn.
She has written scores for film and TV (What Really Happened: Waitangi, Billy, What Really Happened: The Women’s Vote, Hillary and animated feature Shirley and the Hungary Bear).
She is an experienced orchestrator and symphonic writer, having worked with all of New Zealand’s leading orchestras, as well as Red Leap Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company, Touch Compass and Thread Theatre.
Claire’s music has been performed by soloists and ensembles throughout the USA, New Zealand, Europe, Japan and Australia.
Her film music has been heard in the New Zealand International Film Festival and many overseas festivals.
In 2015-2016 Claire was Composer in Residence with Orchestra Wellington, while last year she composed music for the 30th Anniversary World of Wearable Arts.
She also won the Apra Professional Development Award for Film and Television and the Apra Silver Scroll for her score on TV series Hillary.
■ All is Full of Love — Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, October 22 from 7.30pm. Be in to win a double pass by texting (TAC LOVE Tix with your name and address) to 021 241 4568 by 8am on Monday.