Haydn Reeder
Haydn Reeder holds Bachelor of Music and PhD degrees from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts degree from La Trobe University.
Further piano and composition studies were undertaken at the Graz and Vienna Academies of Music, Austria. Later he prepared contemporary scores for Universal Edition in Vienna and London. Whilst overseas he was influenced by master classes and consultations with musicians such as Alfred Brendel, Harrison Birtwistle, Gyorgy Ligeti and Pierre Boulez. From 1983-1989 he lectured in Theory and Composition at La Trobe University.
His awards include a prize in the 1976 Premio 'Città di Trieste' for Attract and Repulse for orchestra, and Composer Fellowships from the Federal and Victorian governments. With assistance from the Australia Council he has been commissioned by ensembles and soloists in London: The Australian Sinfonia, Omega Guitar Quartet, West Square Electronic Music Association; and in Australia: Jochen Schubert, The Seymour Group, Flederman, Elision, Melbourne Windpower, The Song Company and the Melbourne Composers League. In addition to many chamber pieces, he has written a chamber opera, orchestral, live-electronic, vocal and choral works. In 1992, Games of Balance for harp and Celebration of the Mandala for seven trombones reached the final of the Fukui International Harp Music Competition (Japan) and the Trombone Association Contest (USA), respectively.
Move Records recorded Masks for piano with Larry Sitsky and Vienna Modern Masters issued Lark 2 for saxophone and orchestra played by the Ruse State Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria). Several chamber works are included on CDs by the Melbourne Composers League and performances in concerts organised by the League can be viewed on YouTube. In this category are Three Pieces for String Quartet, Bird for violin and cello, The Obstinate Flute for flute and piano, Duets 2 and 3 for piano duet, Ten Colourful Piano Pieces, A Jaunty Tune for 3 clarinets and Breathtaker for counter-tenor and electronics. There are many others available via Tunecore on the album ambivalaence I to be followed shortly by ambivalaence II.
An APA Scholarship enabled him to gain his PhD degree in 2005 at the University of Melbourne. Since 2007 he has given concerts of duets with his brother Max and has accompanied soloists and school productions. He teaches piano, theory and composition, and works in music publishing as copyist and proof reader.
