“The sound world’s of Messiaen and Takemitsu compliment like no other. They are perfect partners in concert. In fact Takemitsu gained permission from Messiaen before composing Quatrain, his dazzling reflection on and tribute to Messiaen’s mesmerising "Quartet for the End of Time.”
Ben Greaves
Tales in Time - Concert 2
Ben performs Toru Takemitsu's Quatrain 2
in Triumphant Tales at
St Mary's Kangaroo
Point, May 15.
Benjamin Greaves is the violinist and violist of the musical arts ensemble Collusion. Based in Brisbane the quintet performs an annual Brisbane subscription season which in 2008 is funded by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Ben is most excited about a new regular concert season in his home town of Toowoomba. In 2008 Collusion will perform in Toowoomba on three occasions as well as performances in Ipswich, Lismore, Coffs Harbor, Armidale and Tyalgum.
Ben has broadcast on ABC and has released a CD with Collusion through Move records, In depth. Featuring four premiere releases it includes the co-winning composition of the Collusion Qld Conservatorium Composition Prize (2003-2006), a prize which Benjamin instigated.
Ben has performed on a regular basis with the Camerata of St John's as leader of 2nds. The orchestra performs a concert series both in Brisbane, Toowoomba and tours regionally performing innovative programs.
Ben is a dedicated educator. He is very proud to be a part of the award winning Musica Viva In Schools program, performing primarily Australian contemporary western art music for up to 20 000 primary aged children each year throughout Queensland. He also has tutored for the Musica Viva Musician in the Classroom program. In 2008 Collusion will perform to students in the Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane north regions. He teaches a tallented studio of students at St Margaret's Anglican Girls School.
In 2008 Ben will also tour regional NSW for Musica Viva Countrywide, and perform on a casual basis with The Queensland Orchestra. He has performed as a freelance musician at several festivals including the Bangalow, Brisbane, Queensland, X, Bonyi with the Southern Cross Soloiststs chamber orchestra, Evocations, InC, Restrung, both festivals of Toplogy plus Tyalgum among others.
Ben was initially a student of Peter Wilson, followed by Mary Nemet; Carmel Kaine at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music; and Oleh Krysa, Wanda Wilkomirska and Rudolph Coleman among others at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne while on full scholarship. He has performed in masterclasses for Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and Maxim Vengerov. Ben was a recipient of the Westpac Scholarship, among other prizes as a student. While a student he toured internationally with the Australian Youth Orchestra, was concert- master of the Conservatorium Symphony on several occasions and studied in mastercourses with both the Takacs and Australian String Quartets while a member of the regional touring String Quartet 2.24.
Benjamin is proud to perform on a Queensland made Violin dated 1988 by Toowoomba luthier John Beames. Benjamin plays an Ian Clarke viola courtesy of Simply for Strings.
