Graeme Koehne’s music achieves that elusive synthesis of sophisticated compositional technique and a popular touch, giving his music an emotional eloquence, visceral appeal and aural pleasure. His orchestral compositions such as Elevator Music, Powerhouse, Shaker Dances, Inflight Entertainment (oboe concerto) and High Art (trumpet concerto) have long been among the most popular by any Australian composer, and Koehne’s music is now a regular presence on the international stage through the advocacy of musicians such as conductors Vladimir Jurowski and Kristjan Järvi. He was one of a select group of Australian, New Zealand and Turkish composers commissioned to contribute to the Gallipoli Symphony, a 10-year project culminating in 2015 that commemorated the legendary World War I military campaign.

Graeme Koehne served on several occasions on the Australia Council, the Australian Government’s arts funding advisory body. In 1998-99 he was the state of South Australia’s Composer-in-Residence. He was awarded a Doctorate of Music from the University of Adelaide in 2002 and in 2004 received the Sir Bernard Heinze Award from the University of Melbourne. In 2014 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Graeme Koehne

Biografía