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A new work that combines music, painting and poetry to pay homage to the Blackwood River in the south-west of the State will feature in this year's Artistry! program hosted by The University of Western Australia's School of Music.

Soprano Sara Macliver is one of the soloists in "Blackwood" by composer Iain Grandage, who set his music to the poems of Kevin Gillam and whose musical journey is backgrounded by Brendon Darby's painting of the river.

"Blackwood" premiered to great acclaim and was a sellout at the 2011 Perth International Arts Festival.  Also performing with Ms Macliver are Allan Meyer (clarinet) and Graeme Gilling (piano).

The concert, Living Moment also heralds the return to Perth of virtuoso violinist Paul Wright who will lead a rare performance of Gerald Finzi's cantata Dies Natalis with Sara Macliver.

Iain Grandage is well-known for his theatre scores including Cloudstreet, The Blue Room, Babes in the Wood, Plainsong, Merry-Go-Round in the Sea & True West and has arranged orchestral compositions for the likes of Tim Minchin and Ben Folds.

A mentorship program between key players from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and exceptional emerging artists will culminate in the performance of Tchaikovsky's notoriously difficult but exhilarating Souvenir de Florence.

This is a rare opportunity to hear three diverse and rarely performed pieces by artists of repute.

More information about the School's 2011 concerts is on UWA's website. Bookings are through BOCS.

Living Moment Artistry! C oncert

When:                                                                                                       7.30pm, Wednesday 6 April

Where:                                                                                                                        Perth Town Hall

Media references

Sarah Dougiamas (UWA School of Music)  (+61 8)  6488 2054
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716