The clarinet and its protagonists in the Australian New Music milieu from 1972 to 2007

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the nexus between the clarinet (and bass clarinet), its protagonists and the Australian New Music composed between 1972 and 2007. It examines various factors that have shaped the Australian New Music milieu and contributed to the instrument’s prominence, resulting in the creation of a significant body of repertoire held by the Australian Music Centre. Although New Music for clarinet is central to this study, its focus is neither a detailed examination of specific composers and their works, nor an analytical score-based approach to this music. Instead, via a focus on the performers and ensembles active during this period, this research examines aspects of the development of Australian New Music and a range of factors that have contributed to the instrument’s prominence within this milieu. Areas investigated include both the historical and late 20th century catalysts for the creation of repertoire for clarinet and bass clarinet, and changes in the performance of New Music in Australia during the period of this study. Also explored are the trajectories of a number of individuals and prominent Australian New Music ensembles that have contributed to the development of clarinet repertoire in Australia.

This dissertation has drawn on the holdings of the Australian Music Centre and has been informed by the material collected from interviews with 23 prominent composers, clarinettists, commentators and music educators based in Australia and overseas. Further information has been gleaned from other sources that document the history of Australian New Music. These include the journal of the Australian Music Centre Sounds Australian and its predecessor AMC News, ephemera including ensemble concert programs held in state and national collections, and administrative and organisational documents that shed light on the activities of the ensembles examined.