Have you heard of Michael Dooley? Well you’re about to … Michael Dooley is a Canberra composer and pianist, and can usually be found with jazz duo In2Deep or conducting local choral group Rhythm Syndicate. But, on Saturday 20 May Michael will be the focus of Canberra when his Piano Concerto No.1 has its world premiere!

Sydney-based pianist Andrew Rumsey returns to Canberra with a collection of esteemed colleagues for an evening of unforgettable music. Joining him will be Mia Stanton (violin), James Larsen (cello), Tom Azoury (clarinet), Laura van Rijn (flute) and Matt Withers (guitar). Pieces will include works by Rachmaninov, Debussy, Williams, Kovacs, Piazzolla, Edwards, Clarke, Dooley and more. This concert will be Rumsey’s final engagement in the ACT before he begins his USA tour, starting with an appearance at Carnegie Hall on 3 June 2017.

“I am delighted to be giving the world premiere performance of Michael Dooley’s Piano Concerto No.1,” says Andrew. “Michael has such a fresh and unique compositional style and I’m so excited to be sharing this amazing work with Canberra. It has all the right ingredients; lyricism, tenderness, subtlety, virtuosity, and power. Definitely a captivating piece to listen to, and perform!”.

Rumsey & Friends New Directions will premiere on Saturday 20 May at 7pm at the Wesley Music Centre, Forrest. Tickets available from Eventbrite.

You can also hear more of Michael Dooley on Sunday 21 May when ART Song Canberra presents The Voice of Heroic Love with well-known Canberra soprano Louise Page, Rachel Best Allen on clarinet, and Phillipa Candy on piano.

This work will also include a new song cycle composition by Michael Dooley.

The Voice of Heroic Love, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, Sunday 21 May at 3pm. Tickets at the door from $15 (students), Art Song Members $25, Concessions $30, Full price $35. Tickets include program and light refreshments. For more information contact Art Song Canberra on 6286 7373.

You can follow Mike Dooley on his Facebook page.