Concerto for Piano & Toy Band
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble with Michael Kieran Harvey
Composed in 2008, with the support of Australia Council Funding, this work was originally conceived as a feature for Michael Kieran Harvey with the original Adam Simmons Toy Band. It was finally premiered in 2015 at the Festival of Slow Music by Michael and the Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble.
Starting with the classic concerto form, with the contrast between soloist and ensemble, the music was informed by a mix of Confucius’ words, films by Werner Herzog, John Zorn’s Arcana collections,
and paczki and coffee at the Wye River General Store. This work was Adam’s first long form composition. Aspects of the composition crystallised during the writing have since been developed in later works including the other concerts for The Usefulness of Art.
“At a time when really adventurous musical events are rare, this night was a breath of fresh air, leaving you elated with its accomplishment.”
– Clive O’Connell, The Age Classical Reviewer & blogger
The Usefulness of Art
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble
Originally recorded and performed in 2012 by Origami – Adam Simmons, Howard Cairns, Anthony Baker – this suite was presented at the inaugural Peter Blizzard Memorial Concert for the Festival of Slow Music and also at MONA FOMA. It is the inspiration for The Usefulness of Art series.
“As I was studying at the Victorian College of the Arts, it was reading Rodin’s views on “The Usefulness of Artists” that helped inform my own raison d’être for pursuing a life in music. Two and a half decades later, I believe I understand more clearly the necessity of art to our everyday lives. With an air of optimism, “The Usefulness of Art” seeks to express the essence of the qualities that art can engender – may it bring you a little happiness!” – Adam Simmons
“This performance was a triumph in every way... If the composition asks the question of whether art plays a critical role in our culture, our personal lives, these musicians and this performance responded with a resounding affirmation.”
– Des Cowley, Australian Book Review
Travelling Tales
Arcko Symphonic Ensemble with Adam Simmons
Travelling Tales was originally composed and performed for the 2013 Piraeus Festival in Athens, Greece with Intrarti Orchestra. The music is in uenced by a mix of Adam’s Australian road trips, European travels, his love of Japanese shakuhachi music and belief in the essential nature of art. Experiences, sounds and concepts come together to create musical landscapes and images, both panoramic and up close. Consider these as musical postcards, evocations of exotic locations on one side with personal and maybe insightful comments on the other.
Arcko Symphonic Ensemble has assumed a unique place in the Australian music landscape focusing on large-scale, overwhelmingly Australian repertoire and this collaboration was the perfect opportunity for Timothy Phillips and Adam to share their strong passion for Australian music.
“An exquisite musical journey that takes you from sun down amongst natural beauty to first light after a sleepless city night.”
– Raphael Solarsh, ArtsHub
The Calling
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble with Afrolankan Drumming System
Composed in 2018 for TUoA by Adam Simmons in collaboration with Ray Pereira after Adam attended one of Afrolankan’s Drumming and Dance Tours to Sri Lanka.
“The Calling is inspired by sounds and experiences from my first visit to Sri Lanka in 2016, connecting with the culture of my mother’s homeland. On a broader scale I am also curious about the themes of identity and belonging to place, and how art is an integral part of bringing these things together. I look at my own history of being born inChelsea (near Frankston) to Anglo and Sri Lankan parents, growing up in a mix of Ballarat, Upwey and Westall, working in Melbourne and travelling internationally; and I wonder exactly where my place is, who my people are, and even who am I? My hope with “The Calling” is to share some of my searchings to prompt others to consider their own connections.” - Adam Simmons
“It was arresting both musically and visually, reflecting the sense of empathy and shared experience that gives this work such a strong emotional resonance.”
- Jessica Nicholas, The Age
The Kites of Tianjin
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble with Wang Zheng Ting
The Kites of Tianjin is inspired by the Chinese city’s renowned “Wei Kites”, created by Wei Yuantai (1872-1961) who made kites for the Emperor and whose great-grandson, Wei Guoqiu, continues the tradition today. Wang Zheng-Ting and Adam were treated with great hospitality by Wei Guoqiu during their visit to Tianjin in April 2018.
“The work explores the idea of breath giving life – the way the wind brings a kite to life, the way sound is created by blowing, and indeed the way we rely on breath throughout our lives. I feel that in a way all of my instrumental learning has been simply about learning to breathe. Using the kite as a metaphor for existence, one can visualise the challenge of negotiating the unknown, harnessing the uncontrollable, yet still we seek ways to give our dreams flight.” - Adam Simmons