This concert is an important one for us. It celebrated the contribution of composer and performer Jon Rose, who has had an enormous impact on Australian experimental music. I’m sure Jon would appreciate us celebrating his work as a birthday gift to him, in the year after his 60th birthday. This program features a variety of approaches that honour Jon, from his influence on and direct involvement in the creation of new work, to the curation of a program that emphasises the freedom his work has allowed us all. Jon Rose is a precious kind of artist.
His work is a reflection not only on music, but life itself. His virtuosity – as a performer but also as a generator of ideas, is difficult to surpass. The title of the program is a direct reference to Jon and his obsessive involvement with string instruments. But it is also a dedication to past, present and future Australian musical innovators in the world, who continue refuse to take anything for granted. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to feature performances by another Australian new music ensemble based in Melbourne, Golden Fur, as well as show works from our composition exchange program.
The concert featured a new work by Golden Fur member, James Rushford. The series of commissions for Perth songwriters continued with Lyndon Blue’s ‘ Decabell’ which featured a telematic link up with the Swan Bells, in a different Perth location. We also debuted our research into tablet computers as score players at this concert.
Program
1. Lyndon Blue: ‘Decabell’ (2012) for bells, live feed and electronics [World Premiere].
2. Clare Nina Norelli ‘Where the Dust Sets: A Requiem for Forgotten Places’ (2012) for flute, clarinet, viola, cello, keyboard, guitar and turntable [World premiere].
3. Fausto Romitelli ‘Blood on the Floor, Painting, 1986’ (2000) for ensemble [Australian premiere].
4. Peter Ablinger ‘Two Strings and Noise’ (2004) for violin, cello and electronics [Australian premiere].
5. Jon Rose ‘The Auctioneer Says’ (2012) for ensemble and video [World premiere].
6. Lindsay Vickery and Jon Rose ‘U Bahn c1985: The Rosenberg Variations’ (2012) for ensemble and video [World premiere].
7. James Rushford ‘Espalier’ (2012) for ensemble and electronics [World premiere].
8. Cat Hope ‘Juanita Neilsen’ (2012) for 2 celli, 2 violas, piano and electric guitar [World premiere].
9. Low ‘Do You Know How To Waltz’ (2012) arranged for 2 guitars, strings, percussion, voices, electic guitar and electric bass.
