On Monday 9 October, composer Elena Kats-Chernin delivered the 2023 Peggy Glanville-Hicks Address at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, presented by the Australian Music Centre.

Elena-Kats Chernin delivering the 2023 Peggy Glanville-Hicks Address. Photo © Moon Vision Studio

Her Address outlined her journey as a composer, from a young girl who loved improvising, to moving to Australia before composing her internationally-acclaimed Eliza Aria.

Below is the complete transcript and video recording of Kats-Chernin’s address.

I am incredibly grateful that I am able to make music on the lands of the Gadigal people, and I want to express my gratitude and respect for the Elders of all time and for the culture of this precious land. And I’m really proud to be part of this incredible community here.

The music community is very supportive, very generous and it wouldn’t be where it is without the Australian Music Centre. And I want to very much thank them for supporting us. We know that if people look for a piece of music, they go to Australian Music Centre. That’s where it...