21 November – 2 December 2022
Decibel New Music Ensemble have been selected to participate in the UK|Australia Season, a major new cultural exchange celebrating the diverse and innovative artist communities and cultural sectors of each nation. A collaboration between the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Season spans theatre, film, visual arts, dance, design, architecture, music, literature, higher education and public engagement across 2021 and 2022.
As part of the season, Decibel new music will tour 5 concert programs across 6 venues in November, with highlights including appearances at the prestigious Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Café Oto in London. The concert repertoire includes the 2 Minutes from Home program recently premiered in Australia, , featuring 20 x 2 minute graphic score works, music by Lionel Marchetti, Cat Hope and animated notation programs featuring music by Australian and British composers. Decibel will partner with London chamber orchestra Ruthless Jabiru,, led by expat Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady, for a world premiere of a new piece by Cat Hope, “Never At Sea” who will be featured on electric bass. They will also hold workshops and seminars at universities during their visit. This will be the first visit to Britain by the ensemble, who have toured Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and around Australia. You can read an interview about the tour with the artistic director of Decibel, Cat Hope, in an article in Limelight Magazine here.
“It is so exciting to be able to tour these programs to Britain on our first visit there. We look forward to not only showcasing our work, but exchanging ideas and learning about the British scene. The range of programs we are presenting on this tour really show the breadth of what we do. The tour program features international commissions, work we have developed with Australian artists, from within the group and with UK artists on arrival. I think it reflects our collaborative nature as a group“
Cat Hope, Artistic Director, Decibel
TOUR SCHEDULE
- Animated Notations: Australian and British Composers
Mon 21 Nov 7.30pm Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University, Newton St Loe, Bath. [Tickets]
Wed 23 Nov 7.30pm The Tung Auditorium, University of Liverpool, Liverpool. Free entry, booking required [Reservations]
- The Music of Cat Hope
Sat 26 Nov 12 pm Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival St Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield. [Tickets]
There is a free workshop by Decibel at Huddersfield University on Friday 25 Nov at 10.30 am in room G/01, the Steinitz Building.
- 2 Minutes from Home
Tues 29 Nov 7.00pm The Performance Space, City, University of London, College Building, St John Street, EC1V 4PB. Free, but reservation recommended [reservations]
- ‘Inland Lake’, by Lionel Marchetti
Wed 30 Nov 8.30pm Café Oto, London18-22 Ashwin St, London.[Tickets]
- ‘The Holy Presence Of’ with London chamber orchestra Ruthless Jabiru
Fri 2 Dec, 7pm. Grand Entrance Hall, Brunel Museum, Railway Ave, London. [Tickets]
PROGRAM DETAIL
Animated Notation program
A selection of compositions by Australian and UK composers featuring the Decibel ScorePlayer app (developed by the ensemble, available on the Apple App store).
The Music of Cat Hope
A selection of works by Victorian composer Cat Hope, featuring the Decibel ScorePlayer app, and from the release ‘Cat Hope: Decibel’ (Ezz-Thetics Switzerland, CD, 2022)
2 Minutes from Home
21 x 2 minute composition miniatures for the Decibel ScorePlayer app, presented on screen as films designed by Karl Ockelford. Commissions supported by the Australia Council. See full program here
Lionel Marchetti ‘Inland Lake’
A major 40 minute composition performed by Decibel by this French composer, featured on the upcoming release by Australian label Room 40 2022.
‘The Holy Presence of’
Collaboration with Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady and Ruthless Jabiru. Featuring a special ‘low end’ orchestra, with world premiere of a new work by Cat Hope, European premieres of West Australian composers Lindsay Vickery and Pedro Alvarez, Kaija Saariaho conducted by Indigenous artist/Decibel member Aaron Wyatt, and further works by Tansy Davies and Julius Eastman.
DECIBEL BY CAT HOPE IS OUT NOW VIA BANDCAMP ON EZZ-THETICS BY HAT HUT.
More about the UK|Australia Season here and Decibel activity here
Decibel in the UK|Australia Season is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Western Australian State Government through the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries. It is also supported by Monash University, Edith Cowan University and Tura New Music.