10 May 2009
The National Museum of Australia has accepted a major Australian musical work for orchestra and didjeridu which will be played in public for the first time in the Hall of the National Museum tonight.
The National Museum of Australia commissioned the The Garden of Dreams, a work for orchestra and didjeridu from the composer Elena Kats-Chernin. The 20 minute work was inspired by the National Museum's collection, themes and architecture and will be used as part of the National Museum's functions, exhibitions and web site.
'Music has always been an integral part of the experience of living in Australia and the National Museum reflects that in our collection featuring music and musicians,' said Craddock Morton, Director of the National Museum of Australia.
'We commissioned The Garden of Dreams to include the music of the Aboriginal didjeridu in concert with a European orchestra. We are delighted with Elena Kats-Chernin's work which we will share with visitors to our events, exhibitions and on our website,' said Mr Morton.
The National Museum collection includes chamber music instruments made by the celebrated instrument maker, A.E.Smith; a bamboo instrument called a dan tre made in a North Vietnam POW camp and carried to a new home in Australia and a wobble board invented by artist and musician Rolf Harris.
The Garden of Dreams will be performed as part of the Canberra International Music Festival.
For more information please contact Dennis Grant on 0409 916 481; Caroline Vero on 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au