Pure poetry to celebrate 10 years with Ballarat recital
BRONWYN Blaiklock doesn’t like dichotomising, especially when it comes to poetry and music.
So the Soldiers Hill poet and pianist decided to combine the two not only for her own enjoyment, but for other like-minded people.
The result was Pure Poetry, a project which saw composers and poets collaborate to write works of poetry for a range of instruments.
“Poetry and classical music have always been separate. They attract separate audiences and separate circles of appreciation,” Blaiklock said.
“The fact that I enjoyed both inspired me to blend them together.”
Celebrating 10 years since its inception, the project will culminate later this month with a Pure Poetry recital.
The event will feature the three new collaborative works by Blaiklock herself and artists Terry Jaensch, Amadis Lacheta, Scott Sanders, and Ann Carr-Boyd.
Soprano Judith Dodsworth, clarinettist Samantha Kelson Gray, pianist Leigh Harrold and cellist Lachlan Dent will join the artists to present the new works.
Blaiklock said the project was about promoting local poets while exploring the Australian voice.
“The words become part of the musical piece, just like another instrument,” she said.
“It’s like we are embedding the spoken word in the music rather than accompanying it.
“It’s an all-Australian program which is rare in the Australian classical music platform and it’s really exciting to be a part of that.”
RECITALl: Ballarat concert pianist and poet, Bronwyn Blaiklock is busy preparing for the Pure Poetry Recital to be held at the the Art Gallery of Ballarat. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER