The Orchestra’s Choice for the 2019 Todd Young Composer Awards references the bombing of Guernica.
Jack Bewley’s piece ‘Guernica’, which was performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the weekend, references his Basque heritage and the bombing of Guernica, which happened in April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War.
Todd Young Composers Awards Orchestra Choice Award winner Jack Bewley Photo: Supplied
It was the first aerial bombing of civilians by a military force that gained international coverage. The number of people killed during the bombings is disputed, but it’s thought to have killed between 153 and 1600 people.
Jack’s grandmother was from the region. “In setting out to write this piece, I originally intended to write about my Basque heritage,” he says. “However, in learning more about the way it was quelled by Franco's Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, I decided to use this piece as a manifestation of the hurt I feel towards this war, not necessarily programmatically, but via two elements of Basque/Catalan music (a sonata originally written for gaitas and a sardana, a Catalan dance) being contrasted against a bleak ending to represent Franco's intentions as a whole.
“While this could be perceived as an oddly novel way to represent a war atrocity, I aim to imbue the music with a sense of cynicism, not idealising the animosity felt towards this era of Spanish unrest.”
Jack was one of eight young composers to have their work performed by the NZSO over the weekend. The composers also attended workshops and were coached by New Zealand composer John Psathas.
The overall winner was Nathaniel Otley with his piece 'Biosphere Degradation'. He won a cash prize of $750.
The composers also had their works recorded by RNZ Concert.
The Todd Young Composer Awards is open to composers up to the age of 25. The competition is in its 15th year.
