Ashley Hribar
Ashley Hribar is an Australian pianist-composer-curator known for his keen interest in contemporary aesthetics. Described as "a brilliant pianist and exceptional artist" by Heilbronner Stimme Stuttgart, Ashley's artistic endeavours span the classical concert platform, multimedia, world music, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
His compositions, often described as 'poly-stylistic collages,' explore extended performance techniques, incorporate voice and electronics, and showcase his unique musical vision.
Among his notable works is Elements for piano and electronics (2022), composed for Monica Garcia Vicente's contemporary dance performance in Germany. Another remarkable piece is Wodunga (2020), a collaborative composition featuring didgeridoo, piano, and Moog DFAM, commissioned by ArtsSA and created in partnership with didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton.
Additionally, Ashley has ventured into the realm of contemporary melodrama with Faust: a Mortal's Tale, a captivating production that weaves together spoken text based on Goethe's classic tale with classical and popular works.
Ashley harbours a passion for the silent film genre and is renowned for his live performances of original soundtracks for films such as Sherlock Jnr. (1924), Hamlet (1921), Richard III (1911), Faust (1926), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927), and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920).
His exceptional talent has been recognized through various prestigious awards, including the 1st prize in the International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition (2005) and the Michael Kieran Harvey Award (2008). He has graced renowned festivals and venues worldwide, including Le Vivier Festival in Montreal (2022), Beethovenfest, Schwetzinger Festspiele, Sydney Opera House, and the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.
Ashley holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide and actively shares his knowledge and passion for living artforms by giving seminars and collaborating with emerging composers. His dedication to pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territories has established him as a prominent figure in the field of contemporary music.