Lowy Institute music event

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Building bridges through music: A Lowy panel discussion
With special guest Vladimir Ashkenazy, Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Sydney Symphony

Five important voices in Australian cultural life will examine the role of music in promoting understanding between nations and communities. Joining Mr Ashkenazy in this unique public conversation will be:

* Lindy Hume, director and CEO of the Sydney Festival, which this year featured Bollywood composer A R Rahman and other Indian musicians, playing an important part in reducing misperceptions between India and Australia;
* David Bridie, musician, composer, music producer of the film Bran Nue Dae and director of the non-profit Wantok Musik Foundation, which promotes cultural exchange for Melanesian and indigenous artists and their communities;
* Andrew Ford, composer, writer and broadcaster, whose work has explored whether music really is an ‘international language’;
* Geraldine Doogue AO, journalist and broadcaster, who will moderate the discussion.

Where: Ground floor, Lowy Institute for International Policy, 31 Bligh St, Sydney 2000
When: Monday 17 May, 12.45pm for 1pm-2pm.
RSVP: To events manager Orietta Melfi omelfi@lowyinstitute.org or 02 8238 9080

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Musical diplomacy??

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/conductor-puts-musical-diplomacy-in-its-place-20100517-v9bc.html

Conductor puts musical diplomacy in its place
ADAM FULTON
May 18, 2010
Sydney Morning Herald

VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY knows a thing or two about the role music can play in bringing cultures together. But don't look to him for idealised statements about it being an international bridge-builder that can break down cultural barriers.

''I don't have terribly many illusions,'' the Russian maestro said. ''We can help some people to understand life better, maybe to be on another level of existence maybe, but when you talk 'will it really unite the world?', I'm not sure.''

The chief conductor of Sydney Symphony was speaking in a panel discussion yesterday on music's role in promoting understanding between countries.

Definitions were part of the wide-ranging forum, chaired by Geraldine Doogue at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, and even music's place as a so-called international language was challenged.

It was no such thing, said British composer Andrew Ford: ''If it were a language, it would be possible to say some precise things in it, like, 'Pass the salt'.'' But there was a consensus that music could provide enrichment though a shared cultural experience.

Ashkenazy drew laughter from the audience for his dismissal of the music found at festivals, such as pop or the world music that Sydney Festival director Lindy Hume, another panelist, said encouraged a ''shared humanity'' and opened people to cross-cultural riches.

''If it elevates us to another level of existence … maybe it's worth having,'' Ashkenazy said. ''But the primitive type of music, I think, is useless because it doesn't lead us anywhere. Except it brings a few million people to an outdoor venue.''

The screen and stage composer David Bridie said Australia's efforts in places such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands would achieve better results if, rather than dealing with issues such as policing and elections, ''we can engage with them at an artistic level, respecting their … great creators''.

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And some audio grabs from the event, as broadcast by ABC Radio's PM program with Mark Colvin:
Creating global harmony through music http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2901899.htm