Michael Williams

Dip Mus Dip T BA (Hons) MMus (Hons)
Chair of Department
Senior Lecturer

Michael Williams is a well-known figure in New Zealand composition. He has received substantial commissions from most of the country's major musical institutions including the NZSO, NBR New Zealand Opera and Chamber Music New Zealand and his music is regularly broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert.

Kala Danda for alto flute and electronics had its world premiere on 24th July this year by internationally acclaimed Irish flautist William Dowdall. This piece is also being recorded for inclusion in a new ‘Poles Apart’ CD featuring music by contemporary Irish and New Zealand composers.

In 2008 his triple concerto Convergence was premiered to critical acclaim with the New Zealand Chamber soloists and Opus Orchestra.

His piece for oboe and orchestra Piercing the Vault was premiered in 2005 and toured throughout the country by the NZSO with soloist Robert Orr. This piece was also toured throughout New Zealand in 2007.

Michael’s chamber opera The Prodigal Child has enjoyed great success with productions in Taranaki, Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton. The opera was recorded by Atoll Records http://www.atollcd.com/ and is now available on CD. This recording features the original cast Joanne Cole, Stephanie Acraman and Paul Whelan and the piano quintet ‘Ogen Plus’.

His interest in the digital manipulation of acoustic instruments has resulted in the pieces Behind the Parapet for piano trio and digital effects and Blade for soprano saxophone, viola and effects. Behind the Parapet was commissioned by Chamber Music New Zealand for the 'Ogen Trio' and has toured New Zealand. It was recently recorded through Atoll Records and forms part of ‘The Ogen Trio’s’ recently released CD of New Zealand trios entitled Ahi. Blade was commissioned by the American viola and saxophone duo 'The Irrelevants’. This piece was recorded live by Radio New Zealand Concert and was broadcast in New Zealand and European radio.

Perhaps Michael’s most demanding project is a full-length opera he is working on entitled The Juniper Passion. Based on an ANZAC theme the opera is poised for a semi-staged performance in 2010.

A prelude from The Juniper Passion was performed in May 2008 with soprano Stephanie Acraman.

Michael is co-founder and artistic director of the University of Waikato contemporary performance ensemble ‘Okta’

Michael teaches at the University of Waikato’s Music Department across a number of fields including composition, harmony and counterpoint, digital music and music aesthetics.

In his spare time he continues to work on his PhD in composition through Melbourne University.

To learn more about Michael and his music visit his website www.michaelfwilliams.co.nz

Picture 1 - The composer and his daughter Amelia (The Spirit Child) and Prime Minister Helen Clarke at the Premiere performance of The Prodigal Child in Taranaki.

Picture 2 - Cast and crew at rehearsal for The Prodigal Child

Picture 3 - Live performance shot - The Prodigal Child

Picture 4 - Live performance shot - premiere of Convergence with Opus Chamber Orchestra and New Zealand Chamber Soloists Lara Hall (violin), James Tennant (cello) and Katherine Austin (piano.

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