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DeClassified Music
Explorations in Art Music.
Projects directed by Brieley Cutting.
DeClassified Music is a platform showcasing Brieley Cutting's latest music projects. Initially based in Brisbane, DCM is now working from Sydney.
DCM began as an award-winning and innovative collaborative music concert series. Reviews of live performances included “lived up to high expectations” (Brisbane Weekender), “a great addition to the Brisbane Scene” (RealTime Arts), “one of the best and most exciting ‘jazz with strings’ recordings that I’ve heard” (The Jazz Mann), and "who knew classical music could be so fun, am I right?" (The Factory Diaries).
The catalyst for DCM's renewal was the Electro Lieder show Brieley created and produced with composer Mark Oliveiro, this receiving a nomination for Best in Music at the 2023 Sydney Fringe Festival.
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2024 saw the performance of Grand Duet: Windows into Contrasting Worlds with cellist Christopher Pidcock at Tempo Rubato in Melbourne, Brieley's performance described as “...such a force! Incredible repertoire and delivered with so much power and conviction.”
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Arts workers involved with recent DCM projects have included Joyce Tan, Dan Lopez, Elly Streatfeild, Raseca Jallorina, Ichi Asato, Christopher Pidcock and Kristian Winther.
DCM's Story
DeClassified Music was the creation of Brieley Cutting when she was based in Brisbane. Recently back from London and working from the happening suburb of New Farm, Brieley was passionate about showcasing exciting art music performances and artists so that they could be seen and heard.
It all started with the Commercial Road Chamber Music Series (2011-12), which Brieley directed in collaboration with Theme & Variations Piano Services and Steinway & Sons Pianos. This grew into DeClassified Music (2013-15), which kept the support of Theme & Variations and Steinway, and the focus on innovative and welcoming collaborative performance events. Exciting live music was presented in accessible, colourful venues in New Farm/Newstead; artists had access to high-quality concert pianos; local and other Australian leading performers were promoted; and there was an emphasis on exciting, adventurous and challenging music.
DCM became known for its bold imaging, free programming, and support for leading Australian musicians, and events were featured in two Queensland Music Festivals and supported by the Australia Council of the Arts and Arts Queensland. It was also awarded a Creative Sparks Award from the Brisbane City Council, and the series attracted high praise from reviewers such as The Jazz Mann and RealTime Arts Magazine.
Under DCM, Brieley commissioned new works from composers including Sean Foran, Rafael Karlen and Joe Chindamo, and musicians invited to perform included Australia Piano Quartet, Trichotomy, Syzygy Ensemble, Ensemble Offspring, the Viney-Grinberg Piano Duo, violinists Kristian Winther and Brendan Joyce, cellists Rachel Johnston and Patrick Murphy, percussionists Vanessa Tomlinson and Claire Edwards, and pianists Sonya Lifschitz and Daniel de Borah.
DCM ceased in Brisbane in 2016 due to Theme & Variations Piano Services having to close its Newstead showroom.
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"… a fresh and innovative way to engage in chamber music encompassing a variety of genres and styles."
Theme & Variations Piano Services | Steinway & Sons
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"… music series that shows amazing small ensemble performances by leading classical and jazz Australian musicians ...”
Queensland Music Festival
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" ... exploits a critical mass of grass-roots interest in genuinely innovative music and art that is not confined to predictable and formal presentational settings."
Dr Liam Viney | University of Queensland
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"DeClassified Music has been bold ... I applaud their courage and hard work and believe that they have made valuable inroads."
Dr Stephen Emmerson | Queensland Conservatorium
Contact DCM.
Email: contact@declassifiedmusic.org
Sydney, Australia
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Declassified Music Sydney Inc.
Follow DCM.