Musica Viva

{{Short description|Australian music organisation}} {{distinguish|Musica viva (Munich)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

'''Musica Viva''', also known as '''Musica Viva Australia''', is a national organisation in Australia dedicated to [[chamber music]].

==History== Music Viva was founded in [[Sydney]] in 1945 by Romanian-born [[Vienna]]-educated violinist [[Richard Goldner]], who had fled [[Nazi Germany]] in 1939. The co-founder was a German-born musicologist, [[Walter Dullo]]. At its inception, Richard Goldner's Sydney Musica Viva, as it was then called, was a [[string ensemble]] comprising 17 European immigrants, who were excluded from playing in Australian orchestra's by the [[Musicians' Union of Australia]].<ref name=aaa>{{cite web | title=Viennese refugee Richard Goldner and Musica Viva Australia | website=ART and ARCHITECTURE, mainly | date=29 November 2014 | url=http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2014/11/viennese-refuge-richard-goldner-and.html | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ELACebeQEgcC&dq=richard+goldner&pg=PA92|title=The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia |first1=Ann |last1=Atkinson |first2=Lindsay |last2=Knight|first3=Margaret|last3=McPhee|date=29 April 1996|publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=9781863738989 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/dnutting/germanaustralia/e/chron/chron6.htm |title=German Australia |access-date=28 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417132758/http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/dnutting/germanaustralia/e/chron/chron6.htm |archive-date=17 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Funded entirely by Goldner, the name was chosen in honour of [[Hermann Scherchen]], conductor of an orchestra in Vienna named Musica Viva.<ref name=adb/>

The first concert of Sydney Musica Viva was presented at [[Henri Verbrugghen|Verbrugghen]] Hall, [[Sydney Conservatorium of Music]] on 8 December 1945. Let down by Sydney's unreliable post-war power supply, the concert took place in darkness save the headlights of several cars parked in the doorway of the auditorium, and lighting provided by a generator in the foyers.<ref name=adb>{{cite web | last=Baker | first=Suzanne| editor-first=Karen| editor-last=Fox | title=Richard Goldner | website=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]] | date=2014 | url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/goldner-richard-15195 | access-date=12 November 2023| others=Research edited by Karen Fox| quote=This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 19, (ANU Press), 2021}}</ref>

Richard Goldner's Sydney Musica Viva performed 10 concerts in 1946, and 20 in 1947. In 1948, the ensemble toured [[Melbourne]], [[Adelaide]], and New Zealand, and eventually reduced to just five players, including Goldner as violist. They were popular with recent European refugees as well as locals. However, the schedule was exhausting, Goldner's financial resources were drying up,<ref name=adb/> and he was forced to give up playing after injuring his hand in 1952.<ref name=aaa/> Musica Viva paused their activities, but re-formed in 1953<ref name=adb/> or 1954<ref name=aaa/> as a concert agency with the help of Fred Turnovsky and Paul Morawetz, named Musica Viva Society of Australia. Goldner took the role of music director, with the group being guided by Charles Berg and Ken Tribe.<ref name=adb/>

Goldner continued as honorary music director until 1969, and Musica Viva eventually became the largest not-for-profit chamber music organisation in the world.<ref name=adb/>

In 2011, the Academy Award-winning film producer [[Suzanne Baker]] published a book titled ''Beethoven and the Zipper: The Astonishing Story of Musica Viva'', which detailed how Richard Goldner had invented and patented a zip fastener for the [[Australian Army]], and used the proceeds to establish Musica Viva Australia.<ref name="Meacham 2011">{{cite web | last=Meacham | first=Steve | title=Author plays score of life found in music | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=26 April 2011 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/author-plays-score-of-life-found-in-music-20110426-1duzs.html | access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>

==Governance and people== Since 2019 and {{as of|November 2023|lc=yes}} the artistic director is conductor and author [[Paul Kildea]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Artistic Director | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/our-story/artistic-director/ | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref> He succeeded composer [[Carl Vine]], who had been in the role for the previous 20 years.<ref name=nguyen2019>{{cite magazine| last=Nguyen | first=Justine | title=Paul Kildea is Musica Viva's new Artistic Director|magazine=[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]| date=3 June 2019 | url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/paul-kildea-is-musica-vivas-new-artistic-director/ | access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref>

{{as of|November 2023}} the CEO is Anne Frankenberg.<ref>{{cite web | title=Chief Executive Officer | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/our-story/our-team/anne-frankenberg/ | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref> She occupied the newly created role of deputy CEO in 2019.<ref name=nguyen2019/>

Hywel Sims was appointed Victorian general manager in June 2016.<ref name=comp2016/>

==Chamber music competitions== ===MICMC=== Since 1991, when it was founded by Marco van Pagee, a lecturer at the [[Victorian College of the Arts]],<ref name=usher2009>{{cite interview|interviewer-first=Robin|interviewer-last= Usher |first=Anna |last=Goldsworthy | title=Creating our own star chamber | website=[[The Age]] | date=15 June 2009 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/creating-our-own-star-chamber-20090615-ge7xl6.html | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (MICMC<ref name=MICMC2018/>) has been staged every four years.<ref name=comp2016/>

In 2016, Musica Viva took over co-management of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, together with MRC and the [[Australian National Academy of Music]] (ANAM). [[Wilma Smith (violinist)|Wilma Smith]], previously concertmaster of the [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]], was appointed artistic director of the competitions, and works alongside the Victorian general manager.<ref name=comp2016/>

In 2018, the Grand Prize of the MICMC was won by the [[Berlin]]-based piano trio, Trio Marvin,<ref>{{cite web |website=The Violin Channel | title=BREAKING: Trio Marvin awarded Grand Prize at Melbourne International Chamber Music Comp | date=8 July 2018 | url=https://www.theviolinchannel.com/breaking-trio-marvin-awarded-grand-prize-at-melbourne-international-chamber-music-comp/ | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=MICMC2018>{{cite web | last=McPherson | first=Angus | title=Trio Marvin wins the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition | website=[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]] | date=9 July 2018 | url=https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/trio-marvin-wins-the-melbourne-international-chamber-music-competition/ | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref>

{{as of|2023}}, MICMC prizes are, for [[string quartet]]s:<ref name=micmc2023>{{cite web | title=Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/micmc/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113060058/https://www.musicaviva.com.au/micmc/| archive-date= 13 November 2023| url-status=live | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> *1st Prize – Robert Salzer Foundation Prize - $30,000 *2nd Prize – Patricia H. Reid Endowment Fund Prize - $20,000 *3rd Prize – $10,000 *Audience Prize for String Quartet - $8,000 *Quartet Commission Prize – Rowland-Jones & Immelman Commission Performance Prize - $4,000 and for [[piano trio]]: *1st Prize – Tony Berg Prize - $22,500 *2nd Prize – In Memory of Paul Morawetz - $15,000 *3rd Prize – Musica Viva Australia Victorian Committee Prize - $7,500 *Audience Prize for Piano Trio - $6,000 *Trio Commission Prize – Barry Jones Commission Performance Prize - $3,000

===APCMC=== The forerunner to the Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition (APCMC<ref name=APCMC2013/>) was the Australian National Chamber Music Competition,<ref>{{cite web | title=About The Seraphim Trio | website=Sydney Mozart Society | url=https://www.sydneymozartsociety.com.au/2020-seraphim-trio-biographies.aspx | access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> first held in 1997 and held every four years alternately with MICMC.<ref name=usher2008>{{cite web | last=Usher | first=Robin | title=Thriving chamber music scene makes an international pitch | website=[[The Age]] | date=8 September 2008 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/thriving-chamber-music-scene-makes-an-international-pitch-20080908-ge7d8r.html | access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> In 2001, the [[Seraphim Trio]], an Australian trio co-founded by pianist [[Anna Goldsworthy]], won the trio and audience choice prizes in the competition.<ref name=usher>{{cite interview|interviewer-first=Robin|interviewer-last= Usher |first=Anna |last=Goldsworthy|author-link=Anna Goldsworthy | title=Creating our own star chamber | website=[[The Age]] | date=15 June 2009 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/creating-our-own-star-chamber-20090615-ge7xl6.html | access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref>

In 2009, the MICMC was complemented by the Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition, with each held at the newly opened [[Melbourne Recital Centre]] (MRC)<ref name=usher/><ref name=usher2008/> alternately on a four-year cycle. Young chamber music ensembles from around the world compete in both competitions.<ref name=comp2016>{{cite web | title=New future for top music competitions | website=[[Premier of Victoria]] | date=29 July 2016 | url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-future-top-music-competitions | access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref> The expansion was initiated under Chamber Music Australia's artistic director Marco van Pagee.<ref name=usher2008/> APCMC is open to "the best young [aged under 35] [[piano trio]]s and [[string quartet]]s from the region". Prizes are in cash as well as including concert engagements.<ref name=APCMC2013/> In its inaugural year, Anna Goldworthy,<ref name=usher/> [[Tokyo String Quartet]] member [[Koichiro Harada (violinist)|Koichiro Harada]], and Scottish cellist [[Alasdair Tait]] were on the panel of six jurors.<ref name=usher2008/>

In 2013, APCMC was presented by [[Chamber Music Australia]] in association with the MRC. [[Murdoch University]], [[Arts Victoria]], Musica Viva, and [[ABC Classic FM]] were all partners, and [[Dame Elisabeth Murdoch]] was patron.<ref name=APCMC2013>{{cite web| url=https://china.embassy.gov.au/files/bjng/2013_AsiaPacificCompOverviewFINAL.pdf| title= Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition: 8-14 July 2013: Competition overview|via=Chinese Embassy| date=2013}}</ref>

===Strike A Chord=== In 2020, the "Strike A Chord" competition was established, a national chamber music competition for Australian school students.<ref>{{cite web | title=Strike A Chord 2022 | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord-2024/ | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> In addition to prizes, the winners are given opportunities for development with [[Monash University]], the [[Flinders Quartet]], and the [[Sutherland Trio]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Bryant | first=Lily | title=Winners of Musica Viva's 2022 Strike a Chord announced | website=Limelight | date=9 September 2022 | url=https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/winners-of-musica-vivas-2022-strike-a-chord-announced/ | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> The finalists' concert is broadcast by the ABC.<ref>{{cite web | title=Musica Viva: Strike a Chord Grand Final | website=[[ABC Listen]] | date=23 September 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/lunchtime-concert-musica-viva-strike-a-chord-2022/14049704 | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> The third edition was held in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | author=The Violin Channel | title=Musica Viva Australia's "Strike a Chord" Competition Announces Winners | website=World's Leading Classical Music Platform | date=30 August 2022 | url=https://theviolinchannel.com/musica-viva-australias-strike-a-chord-competition-announces-winners/ | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>

==Programs and events== ===Past=== ====Rising Stars (2012)==== In 2012, Musica Viva ran a program called Rising Stars – an initiative that provides purposeful performance-based and practical training opportunities for three emerging Australian chamber ensembles each year. The Rising Stars of 2012 were the [[Enigma Quartet]], Sydney Camerata Quartet, and [[Streeton Trio]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Rising Stars | website=Musica Viva Australia Blog | date=26 November 2013 | url=https://musicavivaaustralia.wordpress.com/category/rising-stars/ | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>

===Ongoing=== ====Musica Viva in Schools==== Musica Viva runs a large music education program across Australia called Musica Viva in Schools. Talented and experienced musicians travel to all states and territories, including regional and remote areas, "to perform interactive, musically, and culturally diverse performances". The program includes teacher development and online resources.<ref>{{cite web | title=Musica Viva in Schools | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/education/ | access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref>

In 2014, ''[[The Guardian]]'' named Musica Viva in Schools' Interactive Whiteboard as one of the ten global R&D projects that were changing arts and culture.<ref>{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Emma | last2=Balopoulou | first2=Athina | title=Ten global R&D projects that are changing arts and culture | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=20 June 2014 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2014/jun/20/global-research-development-projects-arts-culture | access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

In 2016 Musica Viva announced the inaugural artistic director of education, [[Michael Sollis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://educationhq.com/news/musica-viva-appoints-new-artistic-director-of-education-33869/|title=Musica Viva in Schools – Musica Viva appoints new Artistic Director of Education|website=educationhq.com}}</ref>

====FutureMakers==== In 2015, a program called FutureMakers was launched. This is a two-year program in which young musicians participate in intensive sessions with leading artists, directors, and consultants from a range of industries and sectors.<ref name="Musica Viva Australia m152">{{cite web | title=FutureMakers | website=Musica Viva Australia | url=https://www.musicaviva.com.au/emerging-artists/futuremakers/ | access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> {{as of| 2015}} [[Genevieve Lacey]] was artistic director of Musica Viva's FutureMakers program.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/musica-viva-launch-new-artist-development-initiative/|title=Musica Viva launch new artist development initiative|magazine=[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]|author=Dakshayani Shankar|date=23 July 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|https://www.musicaviva.com.au/}}

[[Category:APRA Award winners]] [[Category:Music promoters]] [[Category:Chamber music organizations]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1945]] [[Category:Music organisations based in Australia]] [[Category:Music education organizations]] [[Category:Music education in Oceania]]