Topology (musical ensemble)

Topology is an indie classical quintet from Australia, formed in 1997. A leading Australian new music ensemble, they perform throughout Australia and abroad and have to date released 14 albums, including one with rock/electronica band Full Fathom Five and one with contemporary ensemble Loops. They were formerly the resident ensemble at the University of Western Sydney and Brisbane Powerhouse. The group works with composers including Tim Brady in Canada, Andrew Poppy, Michael Nyman, and Jeremy Peyton Jones in the UK, and Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Carl Stone, and Paul Dresher in the US, as well as with many Australian composers.

For other uses, see topology (disambiguation).

In 2009, Topology won the Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation award at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Classical Music Awards for their work on the 2008 Brisbane Powerhouse Series.[1]

Members

Recordings
  • Topology (1999): Topology's first CD features originals (composed by Robert Davidson and Tom Adeney).
  • Perpetual Motion Machine (2003): Topology's second album features Australian music juxtaposed with leading works by British and American composers.
  • Future Tense (2004) (with Full Fathom Five): Topology's cinematically dramatic instrumental/electronic collaboration with Full Fathom Five which used as the soundtrack for French film The Burial.
  • Airwaves (2006) (with Loops)
  • Scat (2007) (Music by Tim Brady): A collection of music by Canadian electric guitarist/composer Tim Brady
  • Big Decisions (2009): features Rob Davidson's speech-melody piece using the spoken voices of Gough Whitlam, Sir John Kerr, Malcolm Fraser and other players in Australia's biggest political event – the 1975 Dismissal of the government. The CD also features some of Topology's most requested music, including John Babbage's “Chop Chop”, Paul Stanhope's driving “Throbology” (also known as “Throb”) and Bernard Hoey's “I Am Petrified”.
  • Healthy (2010) (with Loops): The debut collaborative album with Brisbane-based jazz trio Misinterprotato.
  • Difference Engine (2011): Topology's saxophonist John Babbage may be related to the inventor of the computer, Charles Babbage. Bassist Robert Davidson describes the music as “inspired by and mimicking mechanical computers but finding flaws and humanity in the process”.
  • Ten Hands (2013): Topology's 10th album commences with one piano played by all five members simultaneously. This is a single, continuous one-hour piece comprising strings, piano, saxophone and electronics. The performance of 10 Hands includes a theatrical presentation with collaboration of performance artist and director, Annie Lee of The Kransky Sisters. Inspiration for the piece has come from Pat Metheny’s “The Way Up”, developed in improvisation sessions which were recorded, then forensically examined to prepare the ultimate recording and performances.[2]

Awards and nominations
  • APRA Awards of 2009: Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation win for the 2008 Brisbane Powerhouse Series by Topology.[1]
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References
  1. "Winners – Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  2. 'Topology' Band website- 10 Hands Tour Archived 2013-08-23 at the Wayback Machine
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