Composer Carl Vine wins Bernard Heinze Memorial Award

One of Australia’s finest composers Carl Vine has been honored as the recipient of the 2012 Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to music in Australia.

The award, which is presented annually by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and the Friends of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), was presented to Mr Vine on 18 February at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as part of the MSO’s concert series.

Professor Gary McPherson, Ormond Chair and Director of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music said Mr Vine constantly pushed the boundaries of contemporary classical music.

Carl Vine first came to prominence as a composer of music for dance with 25 dance scores to his credit. Since 1975, he has worked as a freelance pianist and composer with a wide range of ensembles, theatre and dance companies. His catalogue includes seven symphonies, eight concertos, music for film, television and theatre, electronic music and numerous chamber works. He has held the position of Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia since 2000.

Friends of the MSO, Jacci Simpson said "Carl Vine is a very worthy recipient of this Award and the Friends’ are pleased that for the first time in a number of years it was once again presented at a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concert."

Recipients of the prestigious Bernard Heinze award include Maestro Richard Bonynge, pianist Stephen McIntyre, singer Yvonne Kenny, composer Peter Sculthorpe, conductor John Hopkins, horn player Barry Tuckwell, violinist Richard Tognetti, conductor and composer Brett Dean, conductor Simone Young and music educator Sir Frank Callaway.

Sir Bernard Heinze was one of the major pioneers of orchestral musical life in Australia. He was also the Ormond Professor of Music at the University of Melbourne for 31 years.

In honour of his memory, the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award is made annually to a person who has made ’an outstanding contribution to music in Australia’.