Edwards, Ross

Ross Edwards

Biography

Born: December 23, 1943

Country: Australia

Studies: New South Wales Conservatory (1959-62), University of Adelaide (M.M. 1971), University of Sydney (D. Mus. 1990)

Teachers: Richard Meale, Peter Maxwell Davies, Sándor Veress

Website: https://www.rossedwards.com/

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One of Australia’s best known and most performed composers, Ross Edwards has created a distinctive sound world aligned with principles of deep ecology while seeking to reconnect music with elemental forces and restore its traditional association with ritual and dance. His music, universal in that it is concerned with age-old mysteries surrounding humanity, is at the same time deeply connected to its roots in Australia, whose cultural diversity it celebrates, and from whose natural environment it draws inspiration, especially birdsong and the mysterious patterns and drones of insects. As a composer living and working on the Pacific Rim he is conscious of the exciting potential of this vast region.

Ross Edwards has composed prolifically in most musical genres. Some of his works for the concert hall allow for special lighting, movement and costume, notably his Fourth Symphony Star Chant and Frog and Star Cycle, a concerto for saxophonist Amy Dickson, percussionist Colin Currie and the Sydney Symphony. His Dawn Mantras greeted the new millennium in a global telecast from the sails of the Sydney Opera House to universal acclaim. Recent works include Dances of Life and Death for the Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony; Singing the Love, for The Choir of King’s College Cambridge and Vespers for Mother Earth, a large-scale work for the Judith Neilson Institute.

Works for Percussion

Solo

Marimba Dances – Marimba
More Marimba Dances – Marimba

Duet

Binyang - Clarinet & Percussion Duo
Djanaba - Guitar & Marimba Duo
Enyato IV - Bass Clarinet & Percussion Duo

Trio

Booroora - Clarinet, Percussion, Double Bass
Maninya IV - Bass clarinet, Trombone, Marimba

Quartet

Prelude and Dragonfly Dance – Percussion Quartet
Reflections – Percussion Trio; with Piano

Quintet

Dance Fanfare- Brass Quintet
Barossa Pearl - Flute, Clarinet, Marimba, Violin, Cello

Large Ensemble Works

Yarrageh - Nocturno for Percussion and Orchestra – Multiple Percussion; with Orchestra