Coinciding with the rehang of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, this concert will feature the world premiere of Bell Weather by West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Composer in Residence, James Ledger. The piece is inspired by the art work, Monaro by acclaimed Australian artist Rosalie Gascoigne.

James Ledger is an Australian composer who began compositional life working as an arranger and music editor in England in the mid 1990’s. His orchestral music has been performed in New Zealand, France, Germany, Holland and Australia. His residency with the Orchestra began in 2007.

“The opportunity to write a piece inspired by an artwork was a first for me. AGWA’s then director, Alan Dodge, showed me selected artworks in the gallery’s vault and Gascoigne’s “Monaro” struck me immediately. Made from pieces of wooden Schweppes drink crates, she has created undulating fields in black and yellow,” said James Ledger.

“Bell Weather is an electro-acoustic work containing many samples of bells, percussion and sounds of shaken fizzy-drink bottles being opened. It uses small pieces of material and overlaps them in a similar constructional way to Gascoigne’s work. The title is a play on words from the fact that Eden-Monaro is the bellwether seat for federal elections,” he said.

This live and intimate series of concerts new to WASO’s season in 2008 sees members of the Orchestra perform some of the best loved chamber repertoire in an intimate performance space. Also on the program is Schoenberg Chamber Symphony No. 1. -- www.waso.com.au