Held by the International Music Council, the IRC brings together broadcasters from around the world to showcase and exchange the best of new contemporary music. Works compete for the opportunity to be broadcast on  participating international music networks.

Marcus Whale’s Frontier reimagines and corrupts the iconic Jerusalem hymn, calling into question the pastoral impulse of European settlers in Australia and their acceptance that nature was a gift from God.

In Cathy Milliken’s  Earth Plays II, the singer, as a ‘witness’ through time, pays tribute to the sounds and acoustic ‘imprints’ of the plays and healing ceremonies that were held at the ancient Greek theatre of Epidauros.

Wally Gunn’s Pinwheel was commissioned by the ensemble Three and makes sunny harmonies from melodic and rhythmic patterns to capture the eternal optimism of lazy springtime afternoons in Australian parks.

“This is a great opportunity for Australian composers to build their profiles through wide international radio broadcast,“ said Richard Buckham, Manager of ABC Classic FM. “We’re delighted to be able to promote Australian contemporary music at this global event, and to bring our listeners a harvest of new music from around the world.”

The composers’ works were recorded by ABC Classic FM in the last 12 months and feature some of Australia’s most highly-regarded performing artists and ensembles.

Featured works: 

Marcus Whale: Frontier

Composed in 2016. Duration: 8’18

Performed by Zubin Kanga, piano (with electronics)

Cathy Milliken: Earth Plays II: Epidauros

Composed in 2015. Duration: 9’20

Performed by Jessica Aszodi (mezzo) and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ilan Volkov.

Wally Gunn: Pinwheel

Composed in 2016. Duration: 9’22

Performed by Three: Joel Brennan (tpt), Don Immel (tbn), Ken Murray (el-g)