About Me
William Barton
William is one of Australia’s leading didjeridu players and composers and is a powerful advocate for the wider perception of his cultural traditions. Born in Mount Isa, he was taught the instrument by his uncle, an elder of the Waanyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga tribes of western Queensland. At 17 years, William played his first classical concert with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2001 he has collaborated with Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe. Sculthorpe’s Requiem (2004), performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and at the UK’s Lichfield Festival, was composed with William in mind, while Earth Cry, Songs of Sea and Sky, Mangrove, Kakadu, and From Ubirr were re-arranged to include didjeridoo. The recording of these latter works, by William and The Queensland Orchestra, was nominated for Best Classical Album in the 2004 ARIA Awards. Requiem was released on ABC Classics in 2006.
Further collaborations include work with Sean O'Boyle - The Concerto for Didgeridoo, which has ranked highly in recent surveys of the most popular Australian music, speaks directly from the land – with movements centred on the elements of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire was named top 100 classical concertos in Australia for 2007 released on ABC Classics
Other composers William has worked with include Ross Edwards, Philip Bracanin and George Warren from the USA. Liza Lim’s work for orchestra, didjeridu and flute, The Compass, was premiered at the Sydney Opera House (2006) and then Munich (2007). William’s compositions include Songs of the Mother Country and Journey of the Rivers, performed at the Pompidou Centre, Paris in 2006.
In 2004 he performed at Gallipoli for the 90th anniversary of the ANZAC landing and recently in Belgium for the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.
In 2005 he was a resident at Fabrica Musica in Treviso - Italy, collaborating with his mother Delmae Barton and working with other resident musicians to present the CREDO project at the Queensland Music Festival with Andrea Molino.
In 2006 he toured to Germany with the Queensland Ballet, in 2007 concerts included the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, , Jena Philharmonic, and Sydney, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. He also performed at Australia Day celebrations in Seoul.
William is one the featured artist of The Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville and presents his own works their within the festival program. As part of the Queensland Music Festival William collaborated with Paul Grabowsky on a work for piano, didjeridu and voice for the opening of the festival in Winton 2007 and performed in John Rogers Dream Catchers in Innisfail as well.
He also appeared at the 2007 Venice Music Biennale and Australia Pittsburgh Festival in the USA for the premiere screening of Kalkadoon Man.
William performed at the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony which was broadcast to a world wide audience and was one of three composers for the Australian segment. In April of 2008 William premiered a major work entitled Kalkadunga with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, a co-written work with Matthew Hindson. A work that encompasses William's cultural heritage and a journey of his music and influences combining voice, didgeridoo and electric guitar with orchestra. William has had a number of commissions for various ensembles including the Southern Cross Soloist which premiered his new work entitled, I Dream of Sacred I am my Dream in the Music and Words Series in May.
Another highlight of 2008 includes the collaboration with the Queensland Ballet and their Artistic Director François Klaus for his 10th Anniversary celebration featuring a new work by William and transformed into dance by Klaus at QPAC
In December 2008 WIlliam was invited to perform at the Woodford Folk Festival introducing his latest music for live electric/acoustic guitar didgeridoo voice and sequenced soundscapes blending trance fusion rock with sounds of Australia
January 2009 William was guest soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of G’Day USA performing in Los Angles Royce Hall and the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City
In March 2009 as part of the fundrasing efforts for the victims of the flood and fire disarster Iva Davies of Ice House invite William to perform his great Australian classic "Great Southern Land" at the Fire and Flood fundraiser Sound Relief concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground
William’s music has been heard on australian and international television and radio shows notably Australia Plays Broadway aired on channel 10, ABC, Ovation and IFC (USA) and the Australia Day celebrations at Sydney Harbour which was broadcast live across Australia
A big year ahead in 2009 having just worked with the Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra in June and collaborating with Michael Nyman and his band from the UK at The Queensland Music Festival in July. Appearances at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music late July early August and further collaborations with the Song Company in Belgium and touring with the Queensland Ballet to Germany Switzerland and Denmark
2010 The year has started in Los Angeles as a guest artist performing with the Qantas Children's Choir and didgeridoo solo at the G'day USA Gala Dinner followed by a tour of Asia as part of a Musica Viva and DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) tour commencing in Laos then Singapore and Manilla
March - An invite from Australia India Council and DFAT to present musical concerts through out India, from Delhi to Chennai and Bangalore. William's visit to India coincided with the World Cup Hockey Australia v India friendly match on the 2nd of March where he lpay at half to a full stadium with his gibson SG and didgeridoo playing didgeridoo fusion
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has commissioned William to write for part of the orchestra for when they tour to Australia in November 2010. A great privilege to write for one of the top orchestras in the world
It must be noted that William was appointed an official ambassador for the Australian Made/Australian Grown Campaign promoting awareness of Australian goods and products and an Honorary Doctorate of Music - Griffith University Queensland Australia
Through such collaborations and projects, William Barton aims to present the virtuosic potential of his instrument and richness of his Australian culture to audiences throughout the world. He hopes they will see this music, not just as an illustration of some exotic antiquity, but as a living, dynamic process, requiring considerable technique, stamina and study, equal to that of any conventional classically trained professional musician.
William has been featured on the cover of the Brisbane White Pages and on ABC’s Australian Story. He was also 2007 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year Finalist. He continues to appear at music festivals and concert halls in Australia and around the world.
www.williambarton.com.au
