Laura Chislett

Laura Chislett has developed a reputation as a dynamic interpreter of extraordinary music.

“For reasons and repertoire and performance there is nothing like this anywhere”  (Fanfare)

“Laura performed with such commitment and mastery that some of the audience could never be certain if it was the works themselves or her performance that left such a profound impression “      (Roger Woodward in ‘Beyond Black and White’)

“This is a fascinating release… the rewards are great indeed.” (Fanfare)

“bravura impressionante” (La Nazione)

Laura’s career has not followed the usual path. As a student she played for several years with the Australian Youth Orchestra but was then encouraged, under the guidance of renowned musicologist and mentor Richard Toop, to study in Europe rather than seeking an orchestral career at home in Sydney. This led to inspiring encounters with some of the foremost interpreters and composers of modern music in Europe at that time. She subsequently decided to pursue what has become known as a “portfolio” career, centered around the ideals of dedication to meaningful music performance, and to making music relevant to the wider community through connection and education.

A rich collection of Laura’s solo and ensemble recordings on ten different labels is widely available on CD, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, etc. The repertoire spans across musical styles and genres, including (to name just a few) J. S. Bach, Lili Boulanger, Brian Ferneyhough, and improvisation.

Over many years she has explored and developed the wonderful sonorities that are possible on the flute, such as, simultaneous singing and playing techniques, vowel-inflected air sounds, and the “fine tuning” of expressive vibrato. She has sought to combine these and other techniques in ways that can suggest musical imagery, especially in relation to the natural world.

A strong connection to the natural world has been ever-present in her life. Her earliest memories of birdsong are of her parents identifying the individual birds and their song in their bush-like garden in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Since those days she has held a deep respect for the precious flora and fauna on this planet.

Composers with whom Laura has had a close working relationship, or who have written works dedicated to her, include Gerard Brophy, Sharon Calcraft, Edward Cowie, Chris Dench, James Erber, Andrew Ford, Christopher Fox, Richard Karpen, Elena Kats-Chernin, Rósa Lind, Jane O‘Leary, Riccardo Piacentini, Horațiu Rădulescu, Michael Smetanin, Giorgio Colombo Taccani, Katia Tiutiunnik, Reza Vali, Maurice Weddington and Julian Yu.