Olivia Davies’ Stratus-pheric win

Stratus was Olivia’s first commission for large orchestra, with WASO premiering the work in March 2021 under the baton of Asher Fisch as part of our opening concert for the season, Romance and Mystery.

Commissioned for WASO by Prue Ashurst, Stratus was inspired by the concept of a sound mass, with later development inspired by the image of a stratus cloud. With slowly unfolding textures and musically unified moments, the delicate balance of stasis and flow come together in a now award-winning work, with Olivia taking out the category of Work of the Year: Large Ensemble at the 2022 Art Music Awards.

Olivia said following the win “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed but mostly just grateful. Stratus is a significant work for me, given that it was my first professional commission with WASO. So a big thankyou to the musicians, to Asher Fisch and the extended WASO family. To Prue Ashurst especially – this piece simply wouldn’t exist without her support.”

Principal Conductor Asher Fisch has been a strong supporter of Olivia’s work since premiering Stratus, and will conduct Olivia’s next major composition for orchestra in 2023, as Olivia continues her three-year tenure as WASO’s Composer in Residence.

“Olivia Davies is different. She has very early on developed her own language, and that for me is the most important thing. I see a composer who is an individual who can speak in their own language and disregard traditions and trends.” – Asher Fisch

Olivia’s work was not the only WASO-related nomination in the awards, with Rachael Dease, WASO and Voyces’ performance of Hymns for End Times nominated for Performance of the Year: Noted Composition.

WASO have a long history with the APRA AMCOS Arts Music Awards, previously being awarded Orchestral Work of the Year (2018), Performance of the Year (2012, 2015), and Excellence in a Regional Area (2015). We are thrilled to add Olivia’s work to the growing list, and congratulate Olivia again on winning her category in her first year of being nominated for the awards.

Olivia Davies will premiere two new works in 2023 in Dvořák and Tchaikovsky and  WASO Chorus Sings: Serenity.

Olivia Davies is supported by Prue Ashurst.