In his first eclectic programme as Artistic Director, Nick Deutsch presents a fascinating season of contrasts.

The Australian National Academy of Music has launched its 2017 season, a diverse programme of rare and innovative musical offerings, featuring guest artists from at home and abroad. “Our objective is to expose our young musicians to a great range of important repertoire and genres so that they are equipped to face anything the profession throws at them,” Artistic Director Nick Deutsch told Limelight. “I suppose the common theme would be the excellence, energy and enthusiasm with which the musicians take on each of these diverse and challenging programmes.”

^{ANAM Artistic Director Nick Deutsch}

The season – Deutsch’s first programme in his role as AD – draws on the work of composers like Beethoven and Strauss as well as music by Frank Zappa and Radiohead guitarist and composer Johnny Greenwood – whose response to Penderecki’s Polymorphia will sit on a programme in May alongside Brahms’ First Symphony. “I think the broader the exposure young musicians have to various types of music, the broader their musical horizons become,” explained Deutsch. “Even sitting on juries for...