Richard Meale interviewed by Robyn Holmes [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4595389
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Meale, Richard, 1932-2009, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2009
- 3 sound files (ca. 250 min.)
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Online.
- Summary:
-
Richard Meale discusses the opera 'Voss' in the context of his body of work; the challenges of writing an opera; working from David Malouf's libretto; the process of opera composition; the response from audiences and critics; his reasons for choosing composition over instrumental performance as a career; his attachment to Australia and Australian culture; the establishment of his reputation as an innovative composer during the 1950s and 1960s; Winifred Burston; the influence of other composers on his music; his works premiering while studying at the NSW Conservatorium and his music introduced to the public whilst working at the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC); working as a Balance Officer and Programming Officer for the ABC Music Department; accumulating a wide knowledge of orchestral and classical music; Jim Sharman; his ability to immerse himself in and absorb others' musical works; studying ethnomusicology at the University of California in Los Angeles, USA, how this study has influenced his composition; the relationship of music to other disciplines; the beginnings of his self-education and curiosity; his parents background; the notion of learning and teaching methods; his teaching position at the University of Adelaide; the influence and inspiration of Gertrude Stein and other writers; travelling in Spain, writing 'Homage to Garcia Lorca'; leaving the University of Adelaide and the teaching profession (1988); challenges faced upon moving to Mullumbimby, NSW; composing for particular performers and his reasons for not writing for commissions.
Meale discusses his development as a composer; the exposure of his works through performances in the 1960s; becoming a professional composer; his contributions to the development of infrastructure for performance of Australian music; his involvement with the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust and the building of the Adelaide Festival Centre; performance of the Garden Scene of 'Voss' at the 1982 Adelaide Festival, and full staging of the opera at the 1986 festival; Patrick White's opinion of his 'Voss' and White's libretto of 'Births, Deaths and Lotteries'; Sidney Nolan; the creation of a suite from 'Voss'; the notion of 'Voss' as the iconic Australian musical work; the creation of the opera 'Mer de Glace', its positive reception and its future; 'Voss' reputation as an important collaboration between iconic Australians, and its reception internationally; his first contract with an international publisher and subsequent international publishing deals; the difficulties for Australian composers in acquiring international exposure; his role as a member of the board of the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA); visiting Poland; writing the abandoned 'Piano Concerto' for Roger Woodward; unfinished works and incorporating unused works into others; his hopes for the future and the revisiting of works.
- Notes:
- Recorded on March 25-27, 2009 in Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (10 p.) and corrected transcript (typescript, 166 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Composers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Holmes, Robyn, 1953-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2079 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2009
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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