Clarinet Concerto Inspired by Car Drifting Premieres in Adelaide

A new clarinet concerto, inspired by the high-octane sport of car drifting, premiered in Adelaide over the weekend. The work, titled Concerto del Motore (Engine Concerto), was performed by its dedicatee, clarinettist Dean Newcomb.

The Performance

The concerto, composed by Giuseppe "Joe" Chindamo, had its first performance on Friday night at the Adelaide Town Hall, with a second show scheduled for Saturday. The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) was conducted by Stephanie Childress, with principal clarinettist Dean Newcomb as the soloist.

A Tribute to Dual Passions

The piece is a direct tribute to Newcomb, who is both a professional musician and a competitive drifter. Chindamo and Newcomb met years ago, and the composer drew inspiration from videos of Newcomb's drifting.

Joe Chindamo said the piece transforms "the visual energy of movement and the pulse of machinery, along with the psychology of risk" into musical form.

Chindamo also described the composition as having romantic moments, referencing the atmosphere at a racetrack at dawn.

For Newcomb, the work perfectly blends his two lifelong passions. He described parallels between the intense focus required for performing a complex musical piece and the concentration needed for racing. Newcomb has been drifting for two decades, winning state championships while maintaining his career with the ASO.

The Composer and the Performer

Chindamo noted that composing is his primary focus after a prior career as a performer, calling it "the real me." He began his work as a composer ten years ago.

Newcomb, who grew up in a musical household but also developed an interest in stunts and drifting, indicated that while music will remain central to his life, he may eventually step back from competitive drifting, citing his family as a reason.