In a break between concerts in Germany, pianist Alex Waite sits down in Lisbon to chat about his upcoming performance in the ELISION Ensemble with the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
Igniting the Abbotsford Convent on Friday, 20 June with a thrilling exploration of contemporary classical music, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and ELISION Ensemble are joining forces to deliver a show that promises to be nothing short of magical.
ELISION Ensemble have no trouble conjuring transcendental sonic realms for their audiences across the globe. After all, the 17-member supergroup is made up of some of the world’s finest musicians.
ANAM at the Convent: ELISION Ensemble
- Friday, 20 June
- Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street
- Tickets here
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Stuttgart-based Australian pianist Alex Waite will perform alongside ANAM’s musicians in Iannis Xenakis’ Eonta at the Abbotsford Convent concert and work with them across an intensive week of workshops on contemporary performance. As an ANAM alum himself, Alex says that it was through his study at the academy in 2016 that kicked off his involvement in ELISION.
“ANAM invited ELISION for a residency, with several concerts at BIFEM,” Alex says. “I played in two big pieces by Enno Poppe and [Australian] Liza Lim and straightaway realised I wanted more of that. Sometimes you just have the feeling that you find your people. That’s how it happened for me with the ensemble.
“There’s a risk-taking and ferocity in the virtuosity on stage, but such a relaxed, welcoming and collegial vibe around the group. It just felt – and feels – like exactly how I want to do things. My colleagues are such an inspiration to me.”
“Pushing the boundaries of what is capable”
It should come as no surprise that those same colleagues also form the foundational beams of support and trust that ground the ELISION Ensemble. Alex describes the group’s ability to push past the limits of what is possible in contemporary classical music as a result of “real, deep, long-term collaboration with our creative partners.”
“The core group of composers with whom we work are people whom we know very well,” Alex continues. “The individuals in the group are experts known around the world for pushing the boundaries of what is capable on their instruments.
“The skills and exploration on both sides become a two-way street. Both composers and performers combine to extend instrumental technique and musical expression. This fosters the deep sense of trust that you need to really make something special.”
The value of trust when it comes to taking creative risks is something that Alex hasn’t just learnt through his experiences as part of ELISION, but something that was embedded into his foundational learnings at ANAM.
“The ANAM program is an intense one,” Alex recalls. “It can be overwhelming, but they never lose sight of the larger artistic goal. This takes real bravery and spirit.
“There’s a real synergy to the energy of both institutions. Jumping into the unknown like this was a huge learning experience for me at ANAM. Now that I’m a pianist specialising in contemporary music, it’s something that remains a core element of what excites me and keeps me doing what I do.”
A night of sonic alchemy at Abbotsford Convent
Alex will be one of nine ELISION Ensemble members working with ANAM musicians across a week that promises to be just as inspiring to ANAM musicians as it will be for ELISION’s performers. Dariya Maminova’s Melchior is a work Alex has helped bring to life and premiered, and he will be coaching current ANAM pianists in its Australian premiere.
“Teaching is a very important part of my life. It’s something that I’m fortunate to get the opportunity to do quite a bit of,” Alex says.
“For me, the continuous reflection on my own practice and exchange with those I’m working with when coaching is really important. It makes me question what I’m doing, why I do it like that, whether there are other ways I could do it or explain it, where it came from?
“This questioning brings a stream of new perspectives and ideas, which is crucial for me and keeps it fresh and dynamic. I’m very fortunate to be able to meet new composers basically every week. I hope I can bring insights from these experiences to a wider circle. Especially to my young colleagues in Australia, for whom it’s not necessarily so easy to pop across to a festival in Germany.”
While ANAM at the Convent: ELISION Ensemble welcomes some of the world’s best interpreters of new music to the majestic haven of Abbotsford Convent for this presentation of modern composition. Despite the prestige of all this talent in one room, there’s no need to be a classical music fanatic to come along.
“Having experience or a background in this music isn’t an important prerequisite to enjoying it!” Alex emphasises. “There are all sorts of ways in, and it’s personal. For me, it’s the physical engagement with the instrument, the visceral nature of the performance. It’s seeing people push themselves to the edge.”
For tickets to ANAM at the Convent: ELISION Ensemble, head here.
This article was made in partnership with ANAM.
