Time to give classics their own recognition

By WILLIAM DART

The Apra Silver Scroll Awards has become one of our country's more colourful rituals, so last Tuesday the music industry gathered in the Civic for this year's event.

There was talk of spreading New Zealand music around the world from a glowing Helen Clark, while Neil Finn pleaded for the young to be given a voice on public radio, for no more than the cost of Concert FM, he suggested ominously.

On the musical side, Che Fu loped off with a Silver Scroll for his rather elderly song Misty Frequencies, and Paul Ubana Jones emoted an otherwise defenceless Goldenhorse ballad to near-death.

With all this desirability of international success that is pushed at us, one of the winners, Wellington composer John Psathas, has achieved heights many would envy. A few months ago, his spectacular concerto for percussion and piano, View from Olympus, was the main attraction at a Royal Gala Concert during the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

And so, between songs by Nesian Mystik and betchadupa, Psathas received this year's Sounz Contemporary Award for this concerto.

Among the more embarrassing moments of the evening was the chorus of hoonish yelps from the back row when pianist David Guerin and marimba player Lenny Sakofsky came on stage to perform a gorgeous miniature by Psathas.

Which begs the question: is this the right place for casting such pearls, or should we take the lead from Australia and institute separate classical awards?

Scilla Askew, CEO of the Centre for New Zealand Music, agrees it is an issue. "Many of those interested in raising the profile of the 'other' awards are working with the pop industry to achieve that, but also looking at setting up a separate event if the achievements of other musicians and composers continue to be marginalised."

The irony is that, although Psathas' music was gossamer-like in its delicacy, he is a devotee of the drumkit and usually turns on percussion that would give many rockers a run for their decibels.

Still, live music was a brave and welcome departure - in previous years we had been given sound bites that, without any context, were positively ludicrous. Askew is quick to thank Mike Chunn and his team at APRA "who are always looking for new ways to present the awards evening".

In 12 months, another composer will carry off the Sarah Smuts-Kennedy trophy and the $3000 cheque. Psathas believes, "It is good to see art music recognised as being part of the commercial music industry."