Nigel Westlake and Diana Doherty
Amongst rollicking pieces by Ligeti, Ravel and Bartok, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra‘s new programme, Colour and Movement, will be premiering an exciting new Australian piece written for the wonderful but underrepresented woodwind: the oboe.
Nigel Westlake (best known for composing the soundtrack to Babe) was inspired to write Spirit of the Wild, a four section concerto for oboe, while on a trip to Bathurst Harbour in South Western Tasmania. He was accompanied by none other than the former Greens leader and environmental activist – Bob Brown – who guided him around one of the most beautiful and secluded spots on Earth.
Performing the concerto will be Diana Doherty, the SSO’s principal oboist and by far and away one of this country’s finest classical musicians.
Both Nigel and Diana join us in the ABC music studio to discuss the piece and its inspiration. And we’re lucky enough to hear Diana perform an excerpt from the hitherto unheard concerto live.
Performance Title: Spirit of the Wild (an excerpt)
Artist: Diana Doherty
Composer: Nigel Westlake