In 2017, the TSO commissioned young Tasmanian composers Rhys Gray and Thomas Misson to write short pieces of music for the Second Echo Ensemble production CONTESTED LAND. Second Echo Ensemble is a Hobart-based performance group whose mission is to  create and present exceptional performances that challenge assumptions, shake up stereotypes and give voice to untold stories.

Rhys and Thomas, who were selected in consultation with Maria Grenfell, were assigned their topics by Michael Fortescue, long-time TSO Double Bass and current music director of Second Echo Ensemble, and were mentored by TSO percussionist, conductor and composer Gary Wain. The two works, Love Theme for Second Echo and The Contest, were recorded on 24 May and performed in the TSO Studio.

The Contest by Rhys Gray

Incidental Music for Convict Monologues (2017)
Chris Williams Composer
Dinah Woods cor anglais
Jenny Owen violin
Christopher Nicholas violin	
Alison Lazaroff-Somssich violin
William Newbery viola
Martin Penicka cello

Recorded in 2017, TSO Studio, Hobart, Tasmania

Incidental music written in 2017 for the theatrical project Convict Monologues, a collaboration between the Risdon Prison Creative Learning Program and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Outreach Program.

Cue 1 Birds, Songs, Seas

Cue 2 Music For The Sun Rising

Cue 3 Ship Journey 1 - 'to New Holland'

Cue 4 Ship Journey 2 - Jessicas's 'hours And Hours'

Cue 5 Ship Journey 3 - 'like Rotting Fish'

Cue 6  The Luck Of The Devil

Cue 7 Music For William Gould

Cue 8 'not Yet My Love' - Farewell Music

Cue 9 Stay Still, Hold Fast

The Little Gecko is a delightful narrated work for children by Australian composer Julian Yu, based on a traditional Chinese folk story with text adapted for Australian audiences by Marion Gray.

An ABC Classic recording by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Greg Stephens and narrated by Bryony Geeves.

The Little Gecko by Julian Yu

We’ve been Tasmania’s orchestra for over 75 years. We’re proud to be one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies and part of the DNA of Tasmanian cultural life – we have been inspiring, invigorating, and delighting audiences through music since 1948. We are recognised across the island and throughout the world for our distinctive artistic identity that is forged from our people and our place.