When the Australian Art Orchestra was recognised with a prestigious Art Music Luminary Award last month, Peter Knight gave a gracious acceptance speech as the orchestra’s artistic director. What few people at the ceremony knew was that Knight was planning his departure from the AAO, making the night one of mixed emotions for the trumpeter and sound artist.
Peter Knight has directed the Australian Art Orchestra for 10 years.Credit:Sarah Walker
“Yes, it was a little surreal,” Knight says. “Receiving that award was a fantastic endorsement of the work we’ve done together [at the Australian Art Orchestra]. But somehow it also confirmed that I’d made the right decision; that this was the right moment.”
After 10 years in the role, Knight feels it’s time to hand over the reins. “I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time to finish a job like this, and I could quite easily keep doing it. I love it; it’s the best job in the world!” he says earnestly. “But it’s good to be moving on with the organisation in such a strong position now, with funding from all three levels of government and a lot of interest from the philanthropic sector. I think that’s a real positive, in terms of what’s possible in future for the next [artistic director].”
Knight has nurtured some valuable collaborations and initiatives during his time at the orchestra. When we speak, he’s in Tarraleah in central Tasmania, where the AAO hosts its annual Creative Music Intensive. Knight brought the idea of a creative residency to his interview for the AAO position 10 years ago, describing its purpose as “bringing musicians together from different disciplines and cultures, and creating new musical possibilities through improvisation”. He’s proud of the impact it’s had on its many young participants, with benefits rippling throughout the jazz community.
He’s also initiated a program called Pathfinders, inviting musicians into the AAO as “associate artists” to learn about the organisation from the inside. He admits he spent “about the first five years” of his tenure finding his feet, and wanted to establish a program where musicians could learn about marketing, budgets and cultural infrastructure with the aim of becoming future leaders.
Now he is stepping back to focus on other projects. He’s about to release a new solo album, Shadow Phase, which he sees as the culmination of years of development as a solo artist. Using his trumpet and other instruments in his studio – piano, organ, synthesisers and electronics – he has created a hypnotic album filled with subtly shifting textures and an unmistakeable air of mystery.
Peter Knight, trumpeter and musician, decided it was time to move on.Credit:Sarah Walker
Knight’s approach was inspired by the late Polish-Australian poet Ania Walwicz, a long-time friend, teacher and mentor who died in 2020. Knight studied creative writing with Walwicz many years ago, and applied her principles – based on automatic writing and spontaneity – to the recording process of Shadow Phase.
“I tried to be in a dream-like state as much as possible,” he says. “I wasn’t thinking about concept; I was just playing, observing and responding. So, I might take something I’d recorded, copy it onto a tape machine and slow it down, put it through a delay or layer something else on top of it. It was like fishing in a way: going to my studio every day, setting a process in motion and seeing what unspooled in front of me.”
During COVID lockdowns, Knight would take advantage of the quiet streets to walk or ride his bike, listening on headphones to what he’d recorded. “I was trying to remove the intellect and just respond. ‘What does this feel like? What sensation is this giving me?’ And when I found something interesting, I kept refining it.”
The result is five deeply atmospheric tracks that unfold like a journey – one that deliberately invites a state of introspection. “I wanted to make music that could be nourishing for people, because I felt we all needed some nourishment,” he explains. “So I’ve tried to create a bit of space for contemplation, where you can stop and just be, and maybe time slows down for a little while.”
Shadow Phaseis released on the Room 40 label on October 7. Knight leads his final program with the AAO (“Fresh Water – Salt Water”) at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday, November 8.
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