Topology
Topology is increasingly recognised as one of Australia’s leading new music ensembles. Their energetic, full-blooded sound belies their compact instrumentation. Since forming in 1997, Topology has built a solid audience, and regularly performs to sold-out houses around Australia. The group’s concerts are broadcast nationally by the ABC.
Nothing if not flexible, Topology is often found in the theatre, in art galleries, clubs, accompanying silent film, even supporting pop groups such as Savage Garden in 10000-seat arenas. But their typical home is in the concert hall; in addition to their annual concert series, they are frequently featured in festivals.
The group has given a wide range of performances, from experimental Fluxus music at the Queensland Art Gallery to the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, playing nightly The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Neil Armfield and starring Geoffrey Rush. In between shows, they performed the opening concert for the Sydney Spring Festival (where they received Best Ensemble Award in 1999), and were resident ensemble at the University of Western Sydney.
Topology continues to work with and consult with many international composers, including those from Canada (Tim Brady), the UK (Andrew Poppy, Michael Nyman, Jeremy Peyton Jones), the US (William Duckworth, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Carl Stone, Paul Dresher) and with many Australian composers.
In addition to organising their own concerts, Topology has been engaged by many festivals and organisations, including the
Olympics Arts Festival
Brisbane Festival
Sydney Spring Festival
Brisbane and Queensland Biennials
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Musical Asylum
Brisbane International Film Festival
Queensland Arts Council
Playing Australia
In 1998 Topology were included in the cast as musicians for the Queensland Theatre Company’s production of the Marriage of Figaro, starring Geoffrey Rush and Robyn Nevin, directed by Neil Armfield. The production was revived for the Sydney 2000 Olympics Arts Festival, showing at the Sydney Opera House.
While in Sydney, Topology returned to Roger Woodward’s Sydney Spring Festival, where in 1999 they were awarded Best Ensemble, followed by a capacity-audience standing ovation performance in the Opera House Concert Hall.