Tony Gould

Pianist and composer Tony Gould is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. His career has embraced many styles of music, not least jazz and other improvisatory musics in addition to traditional and contemporary classical musics. He gives many concerts each year and for 50 years he has been involved in an extraordinary number of recording projects both as pianist and composer and has been at the forefront of music education in Australia via various tertiary institutions in Melbourne and throughout Australia.

His performances cover a wide range. He has accompanied such eminent jazz musicians as Clark Terry, Mark Murphy and Ernestine Anderson and has been a supporting artist to Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Jean Luc Ponty, Ray Brown, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and many other distinguished groups. Yet he is equally at home playing Bach and Mozart and has been a guest soloist with both the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Elizabethan Melbourne Orchestra.

He has recorded on over twenty commercially released CDs, among the most highly acclaimed are Lirik (1994), Unanimity (1995) with pianist Bob Sedergreen, Gateway and A Tin Roof for the Rain (1996 and 1997) with saxophonist Robert Burke and cellist Sarah Morse. He regularly records for the ABC.

Over the past few years, Tony has become increasingly active as a composer. He has fulfilled commissions for the Victorian Arts Centre, the Hamilton Arts Festival, the Solitaire Tuba Ensemble, and has written works for horn and piano and tuba and piano. He has been a guest artist with the State Orchestra of Victoria for a premiere of his work Homage to Bach for symphony orchestra and piano trio. He was commissioned to write music for two award winning CSIRO documentary films. In 1997 his chamber work Under Milk Wood, based on Dylan Thomas' work, was premiered by the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and narrated by distinguished Australian actor John Stanton.

Tony's music has wide appeal. He draws from a wide range of musical influences including Bach, Mahler, Stravinsky, Bartok, Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans. His style of composition is marked by rhythmic vitality and a particular sensitivity to harmony.

Tony is has recently resigned from his position as Dean of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts School of music.

In 1997 he was visiting Head of Post Graduate Studies, at the Conservatorium of Music, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. In recent years he has also lectured at The University of Melbourne and acted as a consultant for the National Academy of Music and Director of their inaugural program for improvisation studies.

He has been a chief adjudicator for The Sun Aria competition for the last twenty years and adjudicator of eisteddfods and scholarships throughout Australia, including the National Finals of the Yamaha Music Competition and the World Final of the Yamaha Music Competition. He was a member of the founding committee of advisors in establishing the Yamaha Music Foundation and continues to be a senior member of examining panels for exams in Keyboard.

Tony is a respected music writer and critic having contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, The Oxford Companion to Australian Music and Music Forum. He was chief (classical) music critic for The Sun newspaper (Melbourne) for a number of years and has also written for The Australian.


He has a PhD from Latrobe University, a Master of Arts from Monash University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne. In early 2005 Tony resigned his position as Head of the School of Music, Victorian College of the Arts to renew his passion for a hands-on approach to music-making in performance, composition and writing. He currently is a Professor of Music at Monash University.

Recent awards include the APRA /Australian Music Centre (AMC) Classical Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education (2005), an Australia Council Music Board Fellowship (2006-2007) and a Distinguished Artist residency at Arthur Boyd’s artist’s studios in Bundanon (2007). He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2007.

Artist's website: www.australianmusiccentre.com.au

Press quotes

“one of a rare breed of pianists not frightened of showing his emotions when he plays”

— Leon Gettler, The Age

“one of the most talented artists in Australia.”

— Joya Jenson, 2MBS FM

“Tony Gould has emerged as a world-class talent, a formidable composer as well as a highly lyrical interpreter of other people's works ... a sensitive accompanist”

— Steve Robertson, Music Australia Guide

Tony Gould is featured on the following titles

Where have you been all these years?

Capturing the joy of shared music-making, this sublime new release from Claire Patti (vocal/harp), Louise Godwin (cello), and Tony Gould (piano) is a tribute to musical friendship and admiration.

Performer: piano

The Art of Melody

Jazz legends Tony Gould (piano) and Graeme Lyall (saxophone) present superb interpretations of many well-know standards. They are joined by Ben Robertson on double bass and Joe Batrouney playing drums.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Tony Gould on the Art of Creative Music

This is a tribute to revered Australian pianist, praised educator and musical thinker Dr Tony Gould, Australia’s first professor of jazz. It comprises an audio CD and bonus one-hour video DVD documentary.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Christmas Around the Piano

This collection of songs (here without words) are pieces normally associated with Christmas. But a good tune is a good tune, so for me they should be played / heard whenever one feels like it.

Performer

For Ever

The idea for this recording came about after the Alan Lee Quartet reunion concert on the closing night of the 2014 Stonnington Festival in Melbourne, which saw the vibraphonist in collaboration with old friends Ted Vining, Tony Gould and Derek Capewell.

Performer: Piano
Composer

2 Pinots 2 Pales and 2 Hours – TNT

2 Pinots, 2 Pales and 2 Hours later, with little or no discussion, certainly no rehearsal, five pieces of spontaneous improvised music and three standard compositions were recorded with outstanding results, only achievable when three dedicated jazz musicians get together for the sole purpose of making quality music.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Such a sky

Such a Sky features recordings of live performances from the Melbourne Recital centre. Cellist, Imogen Manins and Pianist, Tony Gould are joined by a stella lineup of guests including Slava Grigoryan, David Jones, Gian Slater and Riley Lee.

Performer
Composer

The Cello and the Mockingbird

Improvisations on beautiful melodies. Cellist Imogen Manins joins forces with Tony Gould (piano) and David Jones (percussion) for this very special new release from Move Records.

Performer: Piano
Composer

The Lucky Ones

This collection of pieces includes old and new standards, originals, music written for film, and three pieces composed totally spontaneously at the keyboard.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Home

In 2002, Tony Gould and Emma Gilmartin recorded Tomorrow, Just You Wait and See in the peaceful surrounds of Move's recording studio. Since then they have been lucky enough to revisit this place several times to record more of their favourite songs.

Performer: Piano
Composer

In Memoriam

In Memoriam features John Lewis' piece of the same name in a 4 hand version. Also included is the Suite for two pianos by Martial Solal and several other tracks including, Prologue, Skating in Central Park, Skyline, Under Capricorn, Poinciana, Milano and Epilogue.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Tomorrow, just you wait and see

With favourites such as The white cliffs of Dover, Smile and I fall in love too easily, this beautiful duet album between pianist Tony Gould and vocalist Emma Gilmartin is a masterpiece in spontaneous musical invention to be enjoyed again and again. Just you wait and see!

Performer: Piano
Composer

From Within

Move's ARIA-nominated jazz duo again returns to the studio for their long awaited new album! This recording goes much further in terms of repertoire, and consequently extends the level of energy on the spirited pieces, and the level of expression on the gentler ones.

Performer: Piano
Composer

The Last Will and Testament of John Sangster

Tony Gould, Len Barnard, Graeme Lyall and friends. A fitting musical tribute to one of Australia's unsung heroes of jazz - John Sangster - by some of this country's top performers.

Performer: Piano

River Story

Jazz pianist Tony Gould joins with one of the most talented guitarists/composers in Australia, Peter Petrucci, and together they play a mix of original pieces and standard repertoire.

Performer: Piano
Composer

The Tony Gould Quartet - Live In Concert

Some of the best captured live in concert! This CD of well-known and much loved jazz pieces features the acclaimed jazz pianist Tony Gould and one of Australia's greatest saxophonists, Graeme Lyall.

Performer: Piano

Unanimity

A truly unique experience: two grand pianos together on one disc. Bob Sedergreen and Tony Gould, two great Australian jazz improvisation artists.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Chronicle: Orchestral Music Of Tony Gould

The definition of the word "chronicle" — put briefly "a record of events" — aptly fits the content of this recording. Chronicle forms an inspiring record of musical events in the life of Tony Gould, one of Australia's most creative musicians and composers.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Spirit of the Rainbow

The sensitive and imaginative piano of Tony Gould combines with Brian Brown's passionate flute, haunting pan pipes and saxophone. Some themes were composed especially for the duo, others are the result of spontaneous improvisation.

Performer: Piano
Composer
Producer

Gould Plays Gould

Some of Australia's finest players of spontaneous, improvised music display their remarkable talents on this disc compiled from two previously released LPs. Conducted by John Sangster.

Performer: Piano
Composer

…for Sonja

This recording is dedicated to Tony Gould's dear friend Sonja Krawatt. It is a collection of traditional and emotionally rich Jewish melodies. Cello and clarinet join Tony Gould's piano on some of the tracks.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Performing as McJad

McJad was formed in the 1970s and comprised the duo of trumpeter Keith Hounslow and pianist Tony Gould. The idea was that the duo extemporise not only on an original theme, but a freely improvised theme!

McJad Goes Organic

Those who knew the Melbourne jazz scene back in the 1970s would fondly remember McJad, the free improvising duo of trumpeter Keith Hounslow and pianist Tony Gould. This double-CD features their latest album plus a bonus re-issue of their original LPs. A true collector's item!

Performer: Piano, Organ
Composer

Compositions by Tony Gould also appear on

Move 50

A special CD to celebrate Move Records’ 50th year. Twenty-four Australian composers were invited to create a new short work for this special commemorative disc.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Dances and Delights

Featuring premiere recordings of Australian and American works for the modern flute ensemble, this album is filled with sounds of spirit and serenity. Take a journey from waltzes and fancy two-steps to beautiful arrangements of the most memorable tunes ever written.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Elektra

Australian piano music by Gifford, Gould, Ford, Yu and Michael Kieran Harvey. Elektra is an experiment in extending acoustic piano sound via computer, and was a collaboration with sound engineer Michael Hewes, who surfed the piano resonances in real time.

Composer

Horn Destinations

Outstanding horn player Richard Runnels presents an exciting collection of pieces for horn and keyboard. With Brachi Tilles and Tony Gould.

Performer: Piano
Composer

Tony Gould also appears on

Jazz music series 5: Ripper

The fifth and final volume in John Sangster's jazz series of Suites that he wrote for a lively little orchestra featuring some of Australia's finest jazz musicians.

Performer: Piano

Jazz music series 4: Take that

John Sangster's "lively little orchestra", a group of some of Australia's finest jazz musicians, reaches volume four in a series of Suites.

Performer: Piano

Jazz music series 3: Steady lads

This is the third in a series of Suites written by John Sangster for a lively little orchestra comprising some of Australia's finest jazz musicians.

Performer: Piano

Jazz music series 2: Requiem (for a loved one)

Volume 2 out of 5 written by John Sangster and performed by his "fine small orchestra" that includes some of Australia's foremost jazz musicians.

Performer: Piano

Jazz music series 1: Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that doo-wup

As John Sangster put it, "Here is the first in a series of Suites written for this lively little orchestra, a gathering that includes some of Australia's finest jazz musicians."

Performer: Piano

Seasons of Love

This CD combines a jazz trio, a string orchestra, and various featured instrumental soloists, not to mention the vocal talents of Gian Slater and Eddie Perfect. Graeme Lyall has provided superbly rich arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook in addition to other notable tunes.

Performer: Piano

Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat)

Uttered nonsense, (The Owl and the Pussycat), consists eight works of Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster.

Performer: Piano
Thanks to

Wildflowers

Composed in 1984, Wildflowers blends sounds of the Australian bush with free jazz. The title track, plus eight more, is music liberated from any obligation to fashion or idiom.

Performer: Piano