Nigel Westlake

Nigel Westlake (born 6 September 1958) is an Australian composer, performer and conductor.

Background

Westlake was born on 6 September 1958 in Perth, Western Australia, to Donald Westlake (principal clarinet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and violinist Heather Westlake (née Sumner).

He went to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, but left the school early to pursue a professional career in music, studying clarinet with his father.

At age 17, Westlake started freelancing with various orchestras As a clarinettist, he worked doing recording sessions, chamber music concerts, theatre & ballet performances and tours.

In 1979, Westlake formed a 7 piece instrumental fusion band to play all original material.

In June 2008 his son Eli was struck by a car and killed. His tribute, "Missa Solis - Requiem for Eli", was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2011.

Career highlights

Awards and nominations

APRA-AMC Classical Music Awards

The APRA-AMC Classical Music Awards are presented annually by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australian Music Centre (AMC).[1]

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2005 Piano ConcertoMichael Kieran Harvey Best Performance of an Australian Composition[2] Nominated
Six FishSaffire Guitar Quartet Instrumental Work of the Year[3] Won
Crystal SpheresSolarmax film orchestra Orchestral Work of the Year[2] Nominated
2007 When the Clock Strikes Me - Rebecca Lagos (soloist), Sydney Symphony Best Performance of an Australian Composition[4] Won
2008 Rare Sugar - The Australia Ensemble and Catherine McCorkill (clarinetist) Best Performance of an Australian Composition[5] Won
Glass Soldier SuiteMelbourne Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey Payne (cornet), Jean-Louis Forestier (conductor) Orchestral Work of the Year[6] Nominated

APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards

The annual APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards are presented by APRA and Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) for television and film scores and soundtracks.[7]

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2005 Hell Has Harbour Views Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie[8] Won
2007 Miss Potter Feature Film Score of the Year[9] Won
Best Soundtrack Album[9] Won
Stepfather of the Bride Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie[9] Won

Other

Filmography

Personal life

Westlake is married to Jan Loquet Westlake, and together, they had two sons, Joel (born 17 October 1983) and Eli (born 22 July 1986). Eli died on 7 June 2008 in a road rage accident, a few weeks before his 22nd birthday.[10]

Westlake composed Missa Solis - Requiem for Eli and dedicated it to Eli. It was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Myer Music Bowl in February 2011.[11]

References

  1. "Classical Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 "2005 Finalists - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  3. "2005 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  4. "2007 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  5. "2008 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  6. "2008 Finalists - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  7. "Screen Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  8. "2005 Winners - Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 "2007 Winners - Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  10. Mitternacht, Manuel; Kidman, John (8 June 2008). "Footpath fracas ends in tragedy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  11. "Composer Nigel Westlake's requiem for murdered son". The Australian. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
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