Libra Contemporary Ensemble
Libra Contemporary Ensemble was formed in 1991 to provide performance possibilities for a wide range of rarely heard contemporary music.
LIBRA Contemporary Ensemble was formed to create performance possibilities for a wide range of rarely heard contemporary music. It was founded in 1991 by a group of fellow students of the Victorian College of the Arts and now encompasses an extensive performance base, with experience ranging from ABC symphony orchestras to local thrash bands.
The ensemble is noted for its enthusiastic and well-polished performances, as well as for its support and recognition of young compositional talent. LIBRA has also brought to the attention of the Australian public music of the finest composers working here and overseas. As well as Michael Whiticker, the group has presented new works by Chris Dench, David L Young, Newton Armstrong, Brenton Broadstock and others. In addition, it has introduced to Austrlia works by international composers including Brian Ferneyhough, Gyorgy Kurtag, Franco Donatoni, Richard Barrett and Michael Finnissy.
Their conductor Carl Rosman studied clarinet with Phillip Miechel from 1989 to 1993. He has performed widely as a soloist, most notably at the 1994 Darmstädter Ferienkürse, where he was awarded a Kranichsteiner Musikpreis for performance of works by Richard Barrett and Brian Ferneyhough, and a a performer in residence at the 1995 Akiyoshidai Festival in Japan. Carl has performed extensively in Europe, Japan and Australia. Carl is a member of the Libra and ELISION ensembles and has also performed for Chamber Made Opera and the Melbourne Symphony. In addition to his activity as a clarinettist, Carl works regularly as a conductor of contemporary music, having appeared with ensembles including Libra, Klezcyn Theatre and Nachtmusique.
Geoffrey Morris is the Artistic Director of Libra Contemporary Ensemble. He is steadily developing a reputation as one of Australia's leading interpreters of the guitar's twentieth-century repertoire. As a recipient of an International Study Grant from the Australia Council, and a Queen's Trust Achievers Award, Geoffrey has studied with many leading figures in new music including Stefano Cardi in Rome and Magnus Andersson in Stockholm. Since 1993 he has been a member of the ELISION new music group with whom he has toured nationally and internationally.
Artist's website: www.libraensemble.go.to
Libra Contemporary Ensemble is featured on the following titles
Redror
An collection of chamber works by the Australian contemporary composer, Michael Whiticker performed by the Libra Contemporary Ensemble.
Performer
Members of Libra Contemporary Ensemble
Carl Rosman
Carl Rosman is a highly sought-after contemporary music conductor and one of Australia's finest clarinet players, with a particular interest and expertise in twentieth century music. He is in as much demand as a recitalist as an ensemble player and, together with Peter Neville, he has toured Europe with Elision and has appeared with Germany's Ensemble Moderne.
Shannon Birchall
Shannon Birchall is one of Australia's finest jazz bass players and recently toured Europe with "The Band Who Knew Too Much".
Jacinta Dennett
From the outset of her creative education, Jacinta Dennett has intrinsically entwined movement and music. The responsive nature of the harp and its unique capacity to continue resounding after it has been played have led Jacinta to research the essence of gesture in harp playing and develop her idiosyncratic performance style.
