Country

:

Australia

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Michael Askill is a renowned Australian percussionist and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on 7th August 1952 in Sydney, Australia, Askill grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a ballet dancer, which exposed him to different genres of music and dance from a young age. Askill's interest in music began when he was just six years old, and he started playing the piano. However, he soon discovered his passion for percussion instruments and began playing the drums. He joined his school's marching band and later became a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, where he played the timpani. After completing his high school education, Askill enrolled at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studied percussion under the tutelage of Richard Miller. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1974 and went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the University of Illinois in the United States. Askill's career as a professional musician began in the late 1970s when he joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist. He played with the orchestra for several years and also worked as a freelance musician, performing with various ensembles and orchestras. In the 1980s, Askill began to focus on contemporary classical music and experimental music. He collaborated with several composers and performers, including John Cage, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. He also formed his own percussion ensemble, Synergy, which became one of the most prominent contemporary music groups in Australia. Askill's work with Synergy led to several notable performances and recordings. In 1984, the group performed at the Adelaide Festival of Arts, where they premiered a new work by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe. The performance was a critical success and helped to establish Synergy as a leading ensemble in the Australian music scene. In 1986, Synergy released their first album, titled "Synergy," which featured works by Australian composers Ross Edwards and Nigel Westlake. The album received critical acclaim and helped to raise the profile of contemporary classical music in Australia. Askill's work with Synergy also led to collaborations with other artists and ensembles. In 1988, he performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in a concert featuring the music of Philip Glass. The concert was a huge success and led to further collaborations between Askill and Glass. In the 1990s, Askill continued to work as a freelance musician and composer, collaborating with a wide range of artists and ensembles. He also began to focus on world music, studying traditional music from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In 1995, Askill released his first solo album, titled "Dervish," which featured his own compositions inspired by traditional music from around the world. The album received critical acclaim and helped to establish Askill as a leading composer and performer in the world music genre. Askill's work in world music led to collaborations with several prominent musicians, including the Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar and the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. He also formed his own world music ensemble, TaikOz, which combined traditional Japanese taiko drumming with contemporary music. In 2000, Askill was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to music.

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