COMPOSER

Composer

ACHAR LASKEWICZ - composer

Nachtschimmen CD release: SOFT RAINS - new music by Zachar Laskewicz; See the press release for more details, including sound fragments.
other exciting CDs available of music by Laskewicz and other composers

1 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Zachar Laskewicz was born in Western Australia in 1971. As a child he showed great interest in theatre and music, and he has since received a bachelor degree in theatre and drama studies, a first license in experimental composition from the Royal Conservatory of Ghent and a graduate diploma in language studies. He is currently preparing his dissertation on multimedial musicality in contemporary performance.

Zachar's compositions have been broadcast on radio stations around Australia, and he has performed with professional musical ensembles in Australia, Russia and Belgium. His primary area of interest, however, is working with experimental music-theatre where the boundaries between musical and theatrical discourse are broken allowing the form itself to become a potent form of social questioning. concerts of his music-theatre compositions have been presented in Australia, Russia, Belgium, Finland and Lithuania.

In 1993 Zachar was employed to direct a performance of his new music-theatre composition ZAUM for the Stekelbees theatre festival in Ghent. His anti-opera Het Loket was also presented in Brussels during the international new music festival Ars Musica. He has conducted and performed compositions of his work at festivals in many different countries, including Finland, Lithuania and Denmark.

2 - SELECTED AWARDS, EVENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

1989

First Prize (open original composition category)

Fremantle Eisteddfod, awarded 28th of April 1989

For the work "There Will Come Soft Rains"

1989-1993
Bachelor of Arts with honours: theatre & drama studies
Murdoch University, Australia

1993
First License: experimental composition,
Royal Conservatory of Ghent, Belgium

1996
Graduate Diploma: language studies,
Edith Cowan University, Australia

1992
September 10 Music-Theatre/Theatre-Music
Moscow School of Music and Dance
presentation of new music-theatre compositions to a
Russian audience

1993

Van Marinetti tot Laskewicz Grote Zaal KMC, Ghent
January 17 Presentation of experimental performance works,
including world premiere of ZAUM-2.

March 23 Ars Music Studio 1 Radiogebouw, Brussels
Presentation of Het Loket an anti-opera composed
by Zachar Laskewicz for the "Ars Musica"
international contemporary music festival.

July 6 Imbahl Logos Foundation, Ghent
Concert by Zachar Laskewicz of compositions
influenced by Indonesian performance.

November 1-3 ZAUM, Victoria Theatre, Ghent
First performance of large scale music-theatre
composition for five actors and tape. Composed for
the Ghent-based "Stekelbees" theatre festival.

1996

June 9 Transense Language: Multimedia Performance
Karelia Hall Cultural Centre, Imatra, Finland
Solo performance.

November 6 Musiiki-Pantomiimi-Teatteri
University drama Theatre, Helsinki
Solo performance.

December 8 Festival of Musical Action
Academic Drama Theatre, Vilnius, Lithuania
Solo performance.

3 - COMPLETE LIST OF COMPOSITIONS

Below is a complete list of performances and the availability of the scores. Many are also available from the Australian Music Centre in Sydney.

1987

Emerald Aria, flute duet
Availability: included in the 1992 edition Flute Works, which is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Bizarre Acts, flute trio
Availability: included in the 1992 edition Flute Works, which is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Amphigory, flute trio
Availability: included in the 1992 edition Flute Works, which is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

1988

Andantino, flute and violin duet
Availability: included in the 1992 edition Flute Works, which is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Lingering Breeze, flute, viola, bassoon and wind chimes
Availability: Score available only on direct request from the composer.

Primordial Genesis, 8-15 performers and tape
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.
The tape part is available on request from the composer.

Seraphic Lullaby, piano solo
Availability: included in the 1996 edition 2 children's music-box compositions, which is available on from the State Library of Western Australia.

There Will Come Soft Rains, mixed choir, flute and piano
Availability: Edition superseded by extended version published in 1992, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

1989

Darkness, 5 readers and instrumental accompaniment
Text by Lord Byron.
Score consists of instructions for performance and a deck of prepared cards, as well as instrumental parts.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version published in 1994, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

The Mermaid, 2 voices
Text by Yeats.
Availability: Score available only on direct request from the composer, although an updated version for 2 flutes is included in the 1992 edition Flute Works.

The Nightmare Lake, 6 vocal parts (3 male, 3 female), flute, clarinet and bassoon
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Night Shades, soprano, 2 flutes and piano
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1992, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

The Object Lesson, word play for wind instruments and piano
Text by Edward Gorey.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1992, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

The Power of Steam Machines, 3 flutes & piano
Doesn't exist in full-score form - piano accompaniment is provided separately.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1993, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

Project-1, gamelan slendro
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Vociphony, 6, 8 or 10 players
Score consists of instructions for performance and a deck of prepared cards.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1996, this version being only available directly from the composer.

1990

Celebration-1, oboe/voice, 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 'cellos, French horn and percussion
Text by Ivor Cutler.
Availability: Edition withdrawn, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

Exordium, concert band
Availability: Edition withdrawn, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

From a Gable Window, gothic horror tape work
Availability: Tape version stored at the State Library of Western Australia. Descriptive material also available when listening to this work.

Mood movement and Reflection, flute sextet or solo flute and tape
Score consists of full score plus flute 1 as separate insert. Other flute parts are also available.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1993, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

Powah, 2 female voices, 3 flutes, oboe, 2 marimbas, 2 'cellos and piano
Availability: Currently no score exists for this composition, although an edition is planned for the future.

The Power of Steam Machines-2, 2 clarinets, soprano saxophone/flute, 2 'cellos, 2 percussionists, piano and flute.
Availability: Score and parts available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Project-2, gamelan pelog
The score is made up of seven separate parts- full score non-existent at time of composition.
Availability: Edition superseded by new version in 1995, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

1991

Celebration-2, soprano saxophone, 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, horn, 'cello and keyboard.
Text by Ivor Cutler.
Availability: Score and parts available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

India Song Overture and Piano Blues, 2 flutes, alto flute, voice, 'cello, keyboard and piano.
Availability: Superseded by new edition 1993, although this edition is still available for perusal from the State Library of Western Australia.

India Song Piano Blues, piano solo.
Availability: Superseded by new edition 1993, although this edition is still available for perusal from the State Library of Western Australia.

Songs of Incantation, 8 performers and tape.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Transmigration, musical journey for 7 performers.
Ritual theatre for gamelan pelog, voice, flute, alto flute and 'cello.
Availability: Score withdrawn, although this version is still available for perusal at the State Library of Western Australia.

1992

Imbahl-1, 2 violas, 'cello and piano.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia. Parts available from the composer.

Flute Works, a collection of early flute pieces.
An Emerald Aria: flute duet.
Bizarre Acts: flute trio in two acts, Act 1 - Shards, Act 2 - Obsequies.
Amphigory: flute trio.
Andantino: flute duet.
The Mermaid: flute duet.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Night Shades, soprano, 2 flutes and piano.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

The Object Lesson, word play for wind instruments and piano.
Text by Edward Gorey.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

There Will Come Soft Rains, mixed choir, flute and piano.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Transmigration-2, musical journey for 7 performers.
Ritual theatre for pelog gamelan, voice, flute, alto flute and bassoon.
Availability: Score and parts available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Zaum-2, new music-theatre for 5 performers and tape.
Based on the work of Alexei Kruchenykh.
Availability: Score withdrawn and available only from the composer. Updated in 1993.

1993

Het Loket (an anti-opera), 2 opera singers, 2 actors, violin, clarinet, horn and double bass, percussion and tape.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

India Song Overture and Piano Blues, 2 flutes, alto flute, voice, 'cello, keyboard and piano.
This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia. Parts available from the composer.

India Song Piano Blues, piano solo.
Availability: Score Available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

The Power of Steam Machines, 3 flutes & piano
Doesn't exist in full-score form - piano accompaniment is provided separately.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Zaum-1, new music-theatre for 5 performers and tape.
Based on the work of Velemir Khlebnikov
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Zaum-2, new music-theatre for 5 performers and tape.
Based on the work of Alexei Kruchenykh.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Zaum-3, new music-theatre for 5 performers and tape.
Based on the work of Vasily Kamensky.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

1994

Darkness, 5 readers and instrumental accompaniment
Text by Lord Byron.
Score consists of instructions for performance and a deck of prepared cards, as well as instrumental parts.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Mood movement and Reflection, flute sextet or solo flute and tape.
Score made up of one solo flute score and a full score.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia. Parts available from the composer.

Spectral Lullaby, piano solo.
Availability: included in the 1996 edition 2 children's music-box compositions, which is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

1995

Project-2, gamelan pelog
The score is made up of seven separate parts and a full score.
Availability: This updated edition is available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Project-3, gamelan slendro.
The score is made up of seven separate parts and a full score.
Availability: Score available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

1996

2 children's music-box compositions, music-box or piano
Two older compositions reprinted together:
Seraphic Lullaby: piano
Spectral Lullaby: music box or piano
Availability: Available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Meanwhile on the Tower. . ., solo performer and tape
Text by Edward Gorey
Availability: Still does not exist in the form of a score, tape and instruction available from the composer.

Vociphony, card game for 6, 8, or 10 players.
Score is made up of instructions and a set of cards.
Availability: Score and cards available on loan from the State Library of Western Australia.

Zaum-1, for solo performer and tape
Availability: Still does not exist in the form of a score, tape and instruction available from the composer.

1997

Motional Kotekan, for two Balinese Gendèrs and a flautist wearing Indian ankle temple bells
Availability: Still not available in the form of a score. Video and cassette recordings available directly from the composer.

Songs of Incantation, 3 female voices, 6 performers.

Availability: Score available directly from the composer.

Zaum-2, for solo performer and tape

Availability: Still does not exist in the form of a score, tape, slides and instructions available from the composer.

1998

Zaum-3, for solo performer and tape

Availability: Still does not exist in the form of a score, tape, slides and instructions available from the composer.

Soft Rains, for tenor, flute and piano

Availability: Score and parts are available via Nachtschimmen Products and the Australian Music Centre

1999

Procession Music, for Balinese Gamelan

Availability: Score and parts are available via Nachtschimmen Products

2000

Spectral Strains, graphic score for a group of musicians

Availability: Score available via Nachtschimmen Products

4 - COMPLETE LIST OF PERFORMANCES AND LECTURES IN EUROPE

1991

28 January Lecture on own music-theatre compositions: Stichting Logos in Ghent.

1992

17 July Presentation of own paper: "The Russian Futurist Connection"
Colloquium on Australian, American and British poetry set to music
Edith Cowan University Perth, Australia.

1993

26 January Lecture on own music-theatre compositions for the Contemporary Music Project at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent.

17 Februari Festival: Week van de Hedendaagse Muziek
(i) Van Marinetti tot Laskewicz Grote Zaal KMC Gent
World Premiere of the piece Zaum-2 for 5 actors and tape.
15-16 februari
(ii) Contemporary Music Project Stichting Logos Ghent
World premiere of the pieceHet Loket for 2 singers, 2 actors, musical ensemble and tape.

23 March
Festival: Ars Musica, Radiogebouw Brussel
Performance of Het Loket for 2 singers, 2 actors, musical ensemble and tape.

6 July Concert: Imbahl, Stichting Logos Ghent
Consisting of pieces composed by Zachar Laskewicz influenced by the Javanese Gamelan.

1-3 November Direction of own complete music-theatre performance ZAUM
Stekelbees Festival (Ghent)

9 December Concert: Gamelan, De 6de Nacht van Radio 3, De Singel Antwerpen
World Premiere of the piece Project-2 for Javanese gamelan .

1996

9 June Solo performance: "TRANSENSE LANGUAGE: multimedia performance" Karelia Hall, cultural centre Imatra, Finland

6 November Solo opvoering: "Musiiki-Pantomiimi-Teatteri"
University Drama Theater, Helsinki

8 December Opvoering eigen muziek-theater: "ZAUM-1, Songs of Incantation, ZAUM-2"
Festival of Musical Action Academic Drama Theater, Vilnius, Litouwen

1997

27 June Concert: Sesolahan Gendér, Stichting Logos Ghent
Combination of traditional music and new compositions composed by Zachar Laskewicz .
This was the first performance of SALING ASAH V.Z.W.