ABC Music receives 14 nominations across six categories in the Fine Arts and Artisan Awards

- The ABC Classics and Jazz label takes four of the five available Classical nominations, and three of the five available Jazz nominations

- Every one of the ABC’s 12 nominated albums features a world-premiere recording of a contemporary Australian work

- ABC Classics has now received over 100 nominations for ARIA Best Classical Album since the awards began in 1987

ABC Music is delighted to have received 14 nominations in the Fine Arts and Artisan categories of the 2015 ARIA Awards. The nominations reach across six categories: Best Classical, Best Jazz, Best World Music and Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Album, and Best Producer and Best Engineer.

The ABC Classics and Jazz label continues to dominate its genres, taking four of the five available Classical nominations and three of five Jazz nominations. There are a further two nominations in the World category, and three in the Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show category. Virginia Read is nominated for Best Engineer, and Garth Porter for Best Producer.

It is particularly noteworthy that every one of the ABC’s 12 nominated albums features a world-premiere recording of a contemporary Australian composition, from jazz works by Paul Grabowsky, Barney McAll and Sarah McKenzie, to established classical voices Brett Dean, Ross Edwards, Elena Kats-Chernin and Peter Sculthorpe, to emerging composers Andrea Keller and Sally Whitwell.

Toby Chadd, Manager of ABC Classics and Jazz, commented:

“We’re privileged to work with a superb roster of artists and arts organisations at ABC Music. We’re delighted to see those artists and their music-making honoured so broadly with these nominations, from the state symphony orchestras to jazz musicians to classical soloists – not to mention the live album of the hugely memorable triple j 40th anniversary Beat the Drum concert.

“Of course it’s not just performers who make music – and we’re particularly proud that every single one of the ABC-nominated albums features at least one world-premiere recording of a contemporary Australian composition, with seven of the albums comprising entirely new Australian music. These ARIA nominations are a testament to the quality and appeal of Australian contemporary music, and the commitment of ABC Classics and Jazz to promoting that music.

“And there’s also considerable technical expertise that goes into creating world-class recordings. Virginia Read, our very own Tonmeister, engineered and produced five of our nominated albums, and is herself nominated for Best Engineer.

“Since the ARIAs began in 1987, ABC Classics albums have received over 100 nominations in the Best Classical category alone. It’s a phenomenal achievement that speaks to the enduring talents of our artists, and we wish this year’s nominees the best of luck for the awards ceremony.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 7 October 2015.

2015 ARIA AWARDS – FINE ARTS AND ARTISAN AWARDS

ABC MUSIC NOMINATIONS

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM

Brandenburg Celebrates

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul Dyer AO (Artistic Director)

Island Songs: Brett Dean, Ross Edwards, Peter Sculthorpe

Amy Dickson (saxophone), Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Northey / Miguel Harth-Bedoya (conductor)

I Was Flying: Music by Sally Whitwell

Sally Whitwell (piano)

Peter Sculthorpe: Complete Works for Solo Piano

Tamara-Anna Cislowska (piano)

BEST WORLD ALBUM

Heard This and Thought of You

Genevieve Lacey (recorder), James Crabb (accordion)

Permission to Evaporate

Joseph Tawadros (oud)

BEST JAZZ ALBUM

Mooroolbark

Barney McAll

Solo

Paul Grabowsky

We Could Be Lovers

Sarah McKenzie

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK / CAST / SHOW ALBUM

Bliss (Music by Brett Dean, libretto by Amanda Holden, after the novel by Peter Carey)

Opera Australia

Paper Planes: Original Soundtrack by Nigel Westlake

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Nigel Westlake (conductor)

triple j: Beat The Drum

Various Artists

BEST PRODUCER

Garth Porter (Spirit of the Anzacs)

BEST ENGINEER

Virginia Read (Brandenburg Celebrates)