Australia Ensemble Perform A World Premiere By Ian Munro
Australia Ensemble is joined by guest artists soprano Sara Macliver, Andrew Barnes, bassoon, Robert Johnson, horn and Andrew Meisel, double bass in a programme entitled Thirteen ways of Looking at a Blackbird, after the poem by Wallace Steven.
The concert includes the first performance of a new work for voice and ensemble by Ian Munro, Three Birds, commissioned by subscriber Norma Hawkins to the memory of her husband Bruce Hawkins.
Sara Macliver performs Ian’s new work and Schubert’s charming showpiece Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (The Shepherd on the Rock). Messiaen’s fascination with birdsong is evident in his impression of a blackbird in Le Merle Noir for flute and piano. In this light, CPE Bach’s Quartet for flute, viola, cello and piano in D major may also strike audience members as being similarly avian in its sonic palette. The program is crowned by Beethoven’s grand Septet, in which the composer was inspired by Mozart to fashion an absorbing exploration of colour and form.
The programme:
CPE BACH Quartet Wq94 in D major (1788)
Franz SCHUBERT Der Hirt auf dem Felsen D965 (The Shepherd on the Rock) (1828)
Olivier MESSIAEN Le merle noir (The Blackbird) (1952)
Ian MUNRO Three Birds – new work (2016) for soprano, clarinet, cello and piano, commissioned by Norma Hawkins to the memory of Bruce Hawkins
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Septet in E flat major Op. 20 (1800)
Guest artists: Sara Macliver, soprano; Andrew Barnes, bassoon;Robert Johnson, horn; and Andrew Meisel, double bass
Tickets: Adult $50/ Senior $38/ Concession $30/ Student rush $15
Bookings & enquiries: 02 9385 4874 www.ae.unsw.edu.au australia.ensemble@unsw.edu.au
