Virtuoso musicianship and astonishing physical theatre combine in a captivating collaborative concert
“As part of the Chatswood Cultural Program, concert goers will be uplifted by the rhythmic richness of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra when – for the first time – it joins forces with powerhouse aerialists from physical theatre makers Legs On The Wall for the thrilling Next Chapters concert at the North Shore’s leading cultural hub, The Concourse, Chatswood.”
This interesting concert caught our attention for a number of reasons, not least because of its sheer unrestrained ‘youthfulness’ – it features the winning composition from the orchestra’s 2021 Young Composer Award plus composer in residence Alice Chance’s stunning choral work, Holy Dreaming, arranged for chamber strings and choir, and combines this with the powerhouse aerialists from physical theatre makers Legs On The Wall – we think audiences will be in for a remarkable performance.
classikON spoke to Artistic Director of Legs On The Wall Joshua Thomson about combining aerial theatre with classical music, it’s an usual combination… Thomson says, “I believe aerial theatre and any other type of art form can work together, just because it’s not done often doesn’t mean they both cannot complement each other… At a site visit to the Concourse I was so impressed by the big and beautiful Concert Hall. While standing on the stage I asked, if there was a resident orchestra… I’ve always wanted to do an aerial work in collaboration with a symphony, all we had to do was to convince the symphony it was a good idea!” And there the idea was born. Thomson continues, “Audiences should expect something they haven’t seen ever before in that space. Moments of physicality that heighten the symphony experience, come along and experience it yourself.”
One of the works in this concert that features the aerialists is Alice Chance’s Holy Dreaming. “The way that Alice has seamlessly woven poetry within the composition is sublime. Holy Dreaming has a distinctive feel of environment, country, place and spirituality. It takes the listener and transports them out of their chairs and into the Australian landscape. There is a distinct feel of time passing in this work, I will be capitalising on all the atmospheric and transportation elements this work has provoked in me.”
In keeping with the poetic theme, this concert also presents the world premiere performance of a tone poem about renewal by one of Australia’s emerging composers Joseph Newton, the winner of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composer Award for 2021. The Young Composer Award is presented and performed by Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in memory of Steven Alward through the generous support of Steven’s partner Mark Wakely. Steven was an arts patron and champion of ethical journalism. He enjoyed a distinguished career at the ABC including roles as Head of Radio National, and as Head of ABC International News enabling foreign correspondents to bring the world into Australian living rooms. The Young Composer Award is a lasting legacy to Steven’s belief in the universal force of fine music to connect us without need for language and to uplift humanity into a higher realm.
Newton, a 21 year old composer and student of advanced sciences at the University of Sydney, describes his work, The Phoenix, as having “a dynamic structure moving from turmoil to renewal and tranquillity – there is a part where the string section literally imitates the sound of crackling fire”. Even though the work was written in the wake of widespread bushfires, during the onset of a pandemic, and at the time of his father’s death, Newton maintains that his ‘fiery bird motif’ is not intended to have any particular deep meaning, he says, “feel free to interpret it in whatever way you are comfortable with”. Very intriguing, we can’t wait to hear it!
Next Chapters also comprises Elena Kats-Chernin’s highly personal score of pulsing, driving rhythm and soulful lyricism, Five Chapters, a shimmering mosaic of musical colour. It will be performed by the orchestra under the baton of Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith, alongside Australia’s foremost saxophone ensemble Nexas Quartet.
This concert promises to have something for all classical tastes, a showcase of Australian music, youthful vitality, plus a pinch of Shostakovich for good measure. We think Joshua Thomson sums up it up perfectly, when he says, “I’m looking forward to presenting a whole new experience. This will be an amazing opportunity to introduce audiences to different art forms whilst building on the rich and vibrant artistic culture on the North Shore.”
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra | Next Chapters
Saturday 22, 7pm & Sunday 23 May, 2pm
The Concourse, Chatswood.
This concert will also be streamed on Melbourne Digital Concert Hall
Photography by Robert Catto
