BSF2026: 'Life of a Lorikeet' Concerto World Premiere

World Premiere: Life of a Lorikeet

A brand-new Australian concerto. A world premiere. A rare glimpse inside the composer's creative process.
Brisbane Saxophone Festival presents the world premiere of Cathy Likhuta’s Life of a Lorikeet, a brand-new concerto for tenor saxophone and piano, performed by the composer herself alongside saxophonist Emma Di Marco.

Inspired by one of Australia’s most colourful and characterful birds—one Cathy happens to observe daily from her composing studio window—the concerto explores contrast, colour and character across three engaging movements. From brilliant, high-spirited momentum to soaring lyrical beauty and a rhythmically infectious, jazz-influenced finale, Life of a Lorikeet celebrates the expressive and virtuosic possibilities of the tenor saxophone.

This performance offers audiences something genuinely special: the very first opportunity to hear this new work brought to life. Created through two concurrent commissioning consortiums—with versions for wind band and piano—Life of a Lorikeet is poised to become a significant addition to the Australian saxophone repertoire.

Following the performance, Cathy Likhuta will join Emma for an exclusive Q&A exploring the inspiration, ideas and writing process behind the concerto. Hear directly from the composer about how a work like this comes into being, the decisions behind the music, and the journey from the first idea to its world premiere.

Be there for the beginning of a new work!