Performances
29
Sep
2001
Federation Music Week
Melba Hall
Federation Music Week
27th-30th September 2001.
A festival of international contemporary music by members of the Asian Composers League, performed by Australia's premier musicians. There were more than 40 Australian premieres in 17 concerts and seminars over four days.
Speak Percussion performed works by Colin Bright & Clarence Mack.
01
Dec
2005
Raising the Rattle
Masonic Hall, Yarraville
A solo percussion project involving commissions and collaborations with Chris Dench, Anthony Pateras, David Young, Kate Neal and Dal Babare on five new solo percussion compositions.
These new works plus a performance of Oribotics (solo percussion work by David Young accompanied by robotic Origami flowers by Matt Gardner) and a new work, Lady Cosmic Dream, by Eugene Ughetti were premiered and recorded in a solo performance in the 2005 Big West Arts Festival.
Eugene Ughetti: Solo Percussion and Curator
Peter Neville: Guest Percussionist
Matthew Gardiner: Installation and Origami Assistant
Rosemary Joy: Miniature Percussion instruments.
Richard Vabre: Lighting Design
Michael Hewes: Sound Design
Post concert reception:
Acqua e Vino, 18a Anderson St. Yarraville
WHEN
Thu 1st & Fri 2nd of Dec, 2005
SPONSORS
Arts Victoria
The Australia Council for the Arts
Acqua e Vino
Sun Theatre
Davis Music Centre
02
Nov
2006
California Music
South Melbourne Town Hall 210 Bank Street, South Melbourne
Speak Percussion performs at the opening night of the New Music Machine festival.
Percussion pieces from solo to sextet from California. An exposition of the rich American history of percussion composition from the grandfather of percussion, John Cage to the pop legend Frank Zappa and finally home to Australian based talents Warren Burt and Erik Griswold.
PROGRAM
James Tenney: "Wake" for Charles Ives (in memory of James Tenney)
Frank Zappa (arr. B. Jones): G. Spot Tornado
John Cage/Lou Harrison: Double Music
Warren Burt: Beat Generation in the Californian Coastal Ranges
Erik Griswold: String's Attached
PERFORMERS
Peter Neville
Tim Phillips
Danny Richardson
Greg Sully
Vanessa Tomlinson
Eugene Ughetti
16
Apr
2007
Song of Imprisonment
Holy Rosary Church, 22 Gower St, Kensington
The Astra Choir in association with Speak Percussion, Mary Anderson and Delyth Stafford (harps), Kim Bastin and Joan Pollock (pianos) conducted by John McCaughey
Gesualdo’s Tenebrae settings for Holy Week, as graphic in expression as the canvasses of his contemporary Caravaggio, form one of the great and daring cycles of the choral repertoire. Their texts of abandonment, injustice, imprisonment and death lead on a path to two works in the mid-twentieth century, written in the shadow of oppression and war by Luigi Dallapiccola (in Italy) and Hanns Eisler (in exile from Germany).
Dallapiccola uses words from three famous historical prisoners to place choir, pianos and harps among a large array of percussive sound. The collaboration with Speak Percussion brings the programme into the present with contemporary percussion works by James Tenney and Fritz Hauser.
06
Jul
2007
Hutes Organ Project
Melbourne Town Hall
A performance on the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ, with music from the 1929 opening concert mixed with new compositions teasing out the history of the organ and ghosts of past civic events.
Works by Reubke & Saarhiaho, world premieres of works by Pertout & Neville, and improvisations for organ (Andrew Blackburn), percussion (Speak Percussion), flute (Jean Penny), electronics (David Corazza), Visuals (David Harley).
12
Aug
2007
Guggenheim Concert
NGV - Great Hall, 180 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Running simultaneously with the National Gallery of Victoria’s Guggenheim Collection exhibition, Speak will present some of the percussive masterpieces influenced and created by the same NY artistic circles.
We are also delighted to be collaborating with the VCA percussion department on Varese’s timeless classic Ionisation. Other pieces by John Cage, Steve Reich, James Tenney, La Monte Young & George Brekt.
13
Aug
2007
Solo Percussion at La Mamma
The Carlton Courthouse Theatre 349 Drummond St, Carlton
MUSICA @ La Mamma
Eugene Ughetti – solo percussion with special guest performance artists The Rollergrooves.
This performance will present a series of conceptual percussion and performance art pieces developed by Eugene over the last 10 years. The Rollergrooves are not to be missed!!
13
Oct
2007
Propositions and Game Plans
FortyFive Downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Eugene Ughetti will perform John Cage's solo percussion piece ONE4 (1990) in-conjunction with the Propositions & Game Plans exhibition.
Propositions & Game Plans is an exhibition exploring the imagery of ephemeral art forms and the ‘process' of starting something new.
Featuring a selection of musical scores, movement instructions, notations and drawings by Australian and international composers, choreographers, visual artists and designers, Propositions & Game Plans presents the creative process as rarely experienced by anyone other than the artists and their collaborators.
ONE4 was commissioned by and dedicated to Fritz Hauser as part of a series of works he commissioned to evolve the musical language of the drum-set.
The ONE4 score will be on display in the Propositions and Game Plans exhibition for general viewing, the piece demands an approach based very much in deep-listening and a respect for the simplicity and beauty found throughout Cage's work.
Curated and Coordinated by Rachel Young and David Young
Based on a Suggestion by Kristy Edmunds
26
Oct
2007
MUSICIRCUS
BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne
As part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Speak Percussion will be presenting John Cage's last piece for percussion FOUR4 (1991). A 72 minute percussion quartet which will be featured within the grand work musicircus, a large Festival conceptual-piece of Cage's which will last from sunset until sunrise (18:48-05:20) from Fri Oct 26 until Sat 27.
This event is FREE and will feature some of Melbourne's most exciting performers.
No official performance schedule will be published but Speak Percussion be beginning FOUR4 at 9:48pm
27
Nov
2007
Melbourne Percussion Music
The Incinerator Arts Complex 180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
On election night Speak Percussion presented 9 eclectic and challenging works for percussion. This performance, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Melbourne Composers League and it’s long standing relationship with Speak Percussion. It was presented in the 2007 Big West Festival at the Incinerator Arts Complex.
It was testament to the breadth of work and talent for percussion writing in the MCL.
Despite the many highlights it was a privilege for Speak Percussion to be presenting so many world premieres and almost world premieres of Melbourne percussion music in one event. Some of the works including Scott McIntyre’s Sun Spots and Brendan Colbert’s PNEUma had waited their fair turn for a first airing.
The oldest work on the program by far, Warren Burt’s Salon Music (after Mac Dowell), was potentially performed for the 2nd time since it’s premiere in the 70’s and captured the timeless and witty nature of Warren’s work.
Stay tuned for the ABC broadcast of the event sometime in 2008, or visit www.speakpercussion.com for info about how to download the performance.
Works by Warren Burt+, Stuart Greenbaum+, Simon Charles+, Ian Vitcheff*, James Rushford*, Andrian Pertout+, Brendan Colbert*, Mark Viggiani* and Scott McIntyre*.
*world premiere
+premiere of revised version
01
Dec
2007
Visual Music
Incinerator Arts Complex, 180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
Legendary composer Erik Griswold’s contribution to percussion music is immense. Speak will be joined by Vanessa Tomlinson of Clocked Out Duo (Brisbane) and will be performing his most popular pieces and 2 new pieces developed especially for the 2007 Big West Festival. Visual music is a delightful display of the physical phenomena of percussion.
24
May
2008
Dream, Spill, Fear, Percussion
Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
Music and kinetic sculpture merge in the percussion compositions of Erik Griswold. Brisbane's Clocked Out joins forces with Melbourne's Speak Percussion to present "Spill," "Strings Attached," "Fear" and other evocative music for prepared piano and percussion. "Through the intricately choreographed score of rolls and accents, the quivering ropes suggested gusts of wind or sound wave phenomena, in what became a percussion tour de force and kinetic sculpture all in one." - Josef Woodard, Los Angeles Times
16
Jun
2008
Pedro Carneiro & Speak Percussion
John Hopkins Room, Victorian College of the Arts
Internationally acclaimed percussion soloist Pedro Carneiro joins forces with Speak Percussion for a concert that combines rare gems with classic works.
Conlon Nancarrow: Player Piano Study No. 31 arranged Ughetti
Xylophone and 2 marimbas
J.S Bach: Chaconne from Partita Nr. 2 in D Minor BWV 1004
Pedro Carneiro solo
Brendan Colbert: PNEUMA
Vibraphone and marimba
Olivier Messiaen: 'Life' section from The Combat of the Death and Life, Les Corps Glorieux
Arranged for 2 marimbas and vibe
Iannis Xenakis: Psappha
Pedro Carneiro solo
Alejandro Vinao: Hommage to Nancarrow from
Estudios De Frontera Quintet
(Australian premiere)
13
Jul
2008
Fritz Hauser with Speak Percussion
Toff in Town, 2nd Floor Curtin House, 252 Swanston st, Melbourne
See Fritz in his only Melbourne appearance for 2008.
Fritz Hauser "...is simply one of the best drummers alive" New York Times.
He straddles both the improvised and notated music world's giving highly developed solo performances for drums and percussion worldwide. In this, his only Melbourne appearance for 2008, Fritz will bring his incredible attention to detail and utterly unique approach to the drum set. Having collaborated with many of the world's heavy weights including John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, Lauren Newton and with many legendary percussion groups including Nexus and Kroumata, his work is unmistakable and profound.
Speak Percussion will perform a number of ensemble pieces by Fritz including a work he dedicated to Speak in 2005 plus other must see classics by John Cage and David Lang which take the either the instrumentation or concept of the drum-set as their point of departure.
With the support of: Pro Helvetia , Switzerland.
28
Sep
2008
Choir & Percussion
Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park
The Astra Choir, soloists & keyboards. Conducted by John McCaughey, with Speak Percussion (Eugene Ughetti, director).
This concert forms an upbeat to the 100th birthday celebration of the composer Elliott Carter in December 2008. Music of Carter is set between works from the earlier generation of his American contemporaries and new works from younger Australian composers influenced by this heritage.
Elliott Carter
:TO MUSIC for chorus (1937), CANTO for timpani (1966). Johanna Beyer:
THREE CHORUSES (1937), MARCH FOR 30 PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (1939). Stefan Wolpe:
TWO CHINESE EPITAPHS for chorus and percussion (1937).
Neil Kelly:
CHORUSES FROM DISSIDENT CONSONANCES (2007).
Andrew Byrne:
WHISPERS AND CRIES for voices, percussion and instruments (2008) (first performance)
07
Dec
2008
Carter 100 - Tintinnabulation Aus Premiere
Central Hall, Brunswick
The 100th birthday on December 11, 2008 of Elliott Carter - still alive and composing in his centenary year – is celebrated on the preceding weekend in this second of two concerts. Among many other exciting pieces, Speak Percussion will give the 2nd ever performance of Carter’s new percussion sextet Tintinnabulation. This is his first percussion ensemble piece and is written in his mature modernist language. This performance is in collaboration with Astra Chamber Music Society. One of Carter's most brilliant and challenging ensemble works, the Brass Quintet, provides a focal point among the vast context of music and poetry, in American and other traditions, from which Carter developed his compositional language. 7 pm, Sunday 7 December - Central Hall, 20-22 Brunswick St. Fitzroy. Tiks: Full $27, Conc $15, Stu $10. Bookings: ph. (03) 9326 5424 or astra@connexus.net.au
13
Dec
2008
Shakuhachi Chamber Music Comp
Melba Hall, University of Melbourne
Hear the three winning compositions from Derrik Jordan (USA), Doug Gibson (Australia) and Satoru IKEDA (Japan) performed by Australia’s leading Shakuhachi masters and instrumentalists, and take part in voting for the “Audience Prize”. Hear the shakuhachi of Andrew MacGregor and Anne Norman together with Kanishka Karunaratne classical guitar, Geoff Hughes electric guitar, Silo String Quartet with Speak Percussion. MELBA HALL The University of Melbourne
Saturday 13th December 2008
3.30pm. Tiks: $39 full, $35 senior or group, $30 concession Bookings: www.shakuhachichambermusic.net
or call (03) 9739 7340
18
Apr
2009
Pianissimo Percussion
Melbourne Recital Centre
An intimate performance of some of the quietest and most subtle percussion works written.
PROGRAM
Morton Feldman The King of Denmark (solo)
Brice Pauset De Prolatione (Australian Premiere) (solo)
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung (duo)
Evan Johnson Hyphen (solo)
James Rushford you imagined every encounter was real (World Premiere) (trio) (this work was made possible by support from the Australia Council for the Arts)
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott.
NOTES
As direct response to Melbourne’s recent gift, the Melbourne Recital Centre, Speak Percussion are excited to be presenting this performance at the extreme of auditory experience. A series of poetic and extremely fragile works for Percussion will push the acoustic boundaries of the Salon through an unorthodox use of percussion. Feldman’s King of Denmark is now recognized as one of the seminal works of the percussion literature and juxtaposes perfectly beside the focused and highly complex language and instrumentation of the Johnson and Pauset. We are also delighted to be presenting the first performance of a new work by Melbourne composer James Rushford, his second for Speak, which promises to be at least as intricate and delicate as his first and features a large set of chromatic Angklung.
DETAILS
Saturday 18th of April, 6pm.
TICKETS
www.melbournerecital.com.au
30
May
2009
Catherine Schieve: Graphic Music
Frankston Arts Centre
DETAILS
Saturday the 30 May, 7:30pm (1 hour no interval)
Davey St, Frankston VIC
NOTES
Catherine’s large-scale graphic scores are both visual works of art and musically fascinating. As a visual artist and composer/performer Catherine Schieve has been investigating the deep congruence of sonic and visual expression for over 25 years.
This program will feature a series of 4 seminal works Catherine created in the 1980’s. The works are also large visual arts works created on canvas and were designed to be "read" and performed by musicians trained in specific ways (redefining the act of translating visual gestures to sound), often on homemade or adapted percussion instruments.
The performance environment will be set-up as an open installation environment where the percussionists traverse the space in front of Catherine’s strategically placed “graphic” scores. The audience will be free to move, listen and view the works at their discretion.
This performance is supported by the City of Melbourne and the Frankston Arts Centre.
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Leah Scholes, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Catherine Schieve (Woollongong),
Warren Burt (Woollongong).
TICKETS www.artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
02
Jun
2009
Catherine Schieve: Graphic Music
Melbourne Recital Centre
DETAILS
Wednesday and Thursday 6 & 7 of June, 6pm (1 hour no interval)
NOTES
Catherine’s large-scale graphic scores are both visual works of art and musically fascinating. Inspired by the Grainger Free Music interior, this program will display a series of Catherines scores in the round with a gently moving live percussion performance.
As a visual artist and composer/performer Catherine Schieve has been investigating the deep congruence of sonic and visual expression for over 25 years.
This program will feature a series of 4 seminal works Catherine created in the 1980’s. The works are also large visual arts works created on canvas and were designed to be "read" and performed by musicians trained in specific ways (redefining the act of translating visual gestures to sound), often on homemade or adapted percussion instruments.
The performance environment will be set-up as an open installation environment where the percussionists traverse the space in front of Catherine’s strategically placed “graphic” scores. The audience will be free to move, listen and view the works at their discretion.
This project is also Speak Percussion’s response to the interior of the Salon Room, of which the 4 walls are covered by Percy Grainger’s graphic score “Free Music No. 3”. This performance furthers the highly significant but currently undervalued legacy of Australian graphic notation in music.
This performance is supported by the City of Melbourne and the Frankston Arts Centre.
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Leah Scholes, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Catherine Schieve (Woollongong),
Warren Burt (Woollongong).
TICKETS www.melbournerecital.com.au
06
Jun
2009
American Masters
Melbourne Recital Centre
DETAILS
Saturday the 6th of June, 6pm (1 hour, no interval).
PROGRAM
John Cage Quartet for Tom-Toms
James Tenney Pika-don (Australian Premiere) w. electronics
Elliott Carter Tintinnabulation
Alvin Lucier Music for Snare Drum, Pure Wave Oscillator and One or More Reflective Surfaces (Australian Premiere),
Steve Reich Clapping Music.
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti
Peter Neville
Matthias Schack-Arnott
Gary France (Canberra)
Greg Sully
Tim Phillips
NOTES
The depth and diversity of 20th Century American music composition is staggering and it’s contribution to the genre of the percussion ensemble is second to none. From the conceptual and political West coast schools to the modernist and minimalist works of the East coast. Experience in this single concert program master percussion works from all extremes of the American culture, including the 100 year old mater Elliott Carter's work "Tintinnabulation" from 2008.
TICKETS
http://www.melbournerecital.com.au
13
Jun
2009
Anthony Pateras: Percussion Portrait
Melbourne Recital Centre
DETAILS
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th of June (1 hour, no interval).
NOTES After a long and successful relationship with Anthony Pateras, Speak Percussion and Clocked Out Productions present a portrait of his extensive body of works for percussion, including two new pieces commissioned especially for this concert.
This performance is supported by the City of Melbourne.
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti
Peter Neville
Matthias Schack-Arnott
Nat Grant
Vanessa Tomlinson (Brisbane)
Nozomi Omote (Brisbane)
PROGRAM
Mutant Theatre III (solo) (world premiere) 16 mins (2008)
Transmutations (sextet) 20 mins (2002)
Hypnagogics (solo) 8 mins (2005)
Refractions (sextet) (world premiere) 20 mins (2008)
PROGRAM NOTES
Mutant Theatre Act III is the latest instalment in an ongoing collaboration between Pateras and Tomlinson (the first act premiered in 2001 at the Melbourne Museum). The performer is surrounded by a vast array of timbres, explored through short examinations of micro-sets contained within this. A bizarre quicksand results, maximalism drowning in minimalism, buoyed by rich orchestration and elastic tempo.
Transmutations for percussion sextet (2002)
Transmutations is a 5 movement monolith commissioned by Australian new music cornerstone Peter Neville in 2002. At times brutal and unrelenting, as well as spacious and poetic, the piece is a Xenakis-tinged exploration of layered timbral palettes generated from highly physical performance. Pateras originally conducted the VCA ensemble for his 2004 recording Mutant Theatre, released on the prestigious Tzadik imprint.
Hypnagogics for 25 microsounds, crotales and tape (2005)
Inspired by the 1960s works of Robert Ashley and Alvin Lucier, Hypnagogics was written as a brief study in psychoacoustics for Eugene Ughetti. The performer has 5 sets of incredibly tiny instruments, amplified and thus transformed into something completely alien. The crotales are tuned around the tape drone, creating variable beating frequencies in the space that intensify as the piece progresses.
Refractions for percussion sextet (2008)
Refractions incorporates some of the spatial ensemble techniques of Transmutations, but explores the amorphous sonic capabilities of percussion sextet more deeply. Written in one continuous movement, it is flavoured with some of Pateras’ more recent interests in music from Ethiopia and Burundi, combined with Helmut Lachenmann’s concept of acoustic musique concréte. A supersonic close to an unforgettable concert.
TICKETS
http://www.melbournerecital.com.au
29
Jul
2009
Anthony Pateras: Mutant Theatre
Queensland Conservatorium, Brisbane
Mutant Theatre & Inside Music
One of Australia's truly innovative composers, Anthony Pateras has created his own sound universe – maximalism drowning in minimalism, buoyed by rich orchestration and elastic tempo. “Anthony Pateras is emerging as one of the most vibrant and original figures in Australian new music …” - The Australian
Mutant Theatre is a retrospective concert focussing on Pateras’ works for percussion composed specifically for Vanessa Tomlinson (Clocked Out) and Eugene Ughetti (Speak Percussion). It features two new pieces commissioned with assistance from the Ian Potter Foundation especially for this concert.
PERFORMERS:
Vanessa Tomlinson, Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes, Nozomi Omote.
Program:
Mutant Theatre III (2008)
Ian Potter Commission
Transmutations (2002)
Hypnagogics (2005)
Refractions (2008) Ian Potter Commission
Inside Music. This intimate presentation by Anthony Pateras invites the audience to explore what happens ‘behind the scenes’ as performers prepare their work. The lecture-demonstration includes a performance and allows for audience questions.
Queensland Conservatorium, Brisbane
Mutant Theatre / Wed 29 July, 6.00pm
Mutant Theatre / At door $15
22
Sep
2009
Speak & Unspoken
Iwaki Auditorium, Southbank
Speak and Unspoken, an idea conceived by American pianist Donna Coleman, was inspired by a 2004 performance of Swiss composer-percussionist Fritz Hauser’s Double Exposition presented by renowned Speak Percussion in concert at Melbourne’s BMW Edge. She imagined an aurally and visually arresting experience in which the boundaries between piano and percussion, performers and instruments, performers and composers, improvisation and composition, sounds and sights are fluid and permeable, a performance in which piano and pianist swim in a sea of percussion instruments in virtuoso exploration of space, silence and stillness.
For the September 2009 world premiere, Speak Percussion members Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville and Matthias Schack-Arnott will join Donna Coleman, Fritz Hauser and Boa Baumann for ten days of intensive contemplation and rehearsal directed and composed by Fritz Hauser in collaboration with all involved artists.
—program—
small talk
for percussion solo
Fritz Hauser
composer and percussionist
—intermission—
Speak and Unspoken
for pianist and three percussionists
Donna Coleman pianist
speak percussion
Eugene Ughetti percussion
Peter Neville percussion
Matthias Schack-Arnott percussion
Fritz Hauser artistic direction
Boa Baumann space and more
Two shows only!!
Tuesday evening the 22nd September 2009 at 7:00 and 9:00
Iwaki Auditorium ABC Southbank
Tickets $25/20 incl. GST
Bookings: www.speakpercussion.com/shop
or tickets available at the door
Speak and Unspoken is commissioned by Pro Helvetia Swiss Cultural Foundation
05
Nov
2009
György Ligeti: Síppal, dobbal nádihegedüvel
Australian National Academy of Music
We are delighted to be giving Melbourne's first performance of Ligeti's only work for percussion ensemble Síppal, dobbal nádihegedüvel for mezzo voice and percussion quartet. The work, translating literally as With Pipes, Drums, Fiddles was composed in 2000 and is a song cycle on poetry by Sándor Weöres.
Written towards the end of his life, it's language is in Ligeti's great colouristic and complex style incorporating folkloric Hungarian elements.
As part of ANAM's Haydn and Ligeti focus we will be joined by the wonderful musicians of the Australian National Academy of Music and other Melbourne based solists for a mixed Haydn Ligeti program.
Nov 5, 2009 - 7pm
Australian National Academy of Music
South Melbourne Town Hall, 210 Bank St. Sth Melbourne.
for more information and booking info please visit: www.anam.com.au
26
Nov
2009
It looks like you are doing something, but we can't imagine what you are doing
Phoenix Youth Centre
Speak Percussion and Aphids present
It looks like you are doing something, but we can't imagine what you are doing.
Eugene Ughetti solo percussion
In this world premiere for Big West, percussionist Eugene Ughetti performs a series of works that cross the boundaries of music and choreography, challenging us to rethink how we see, hear and move.
This virtuosic showcase features a dance work for percussionist by world renowned Texas-based choreographer Deborah Hay, as well as new works by Eugene Ughetti, Melbourne composers David Young and Alex Garsden, and Sydney choreographer Martin del Amo.
Duration: approx 60 minutes
Bookings: http://www.speakpercussion.com/shop.php?product=16
or tickets at the door
$15 full/$10 conc.
Dates: 8pm Thurs 26th Nov and 8pm Fri 27th Nov
Venue: Phoenix Youth Centre, 72 Buckley Street, Footscray
27
Nov
2009
It looks like you are doing something, but we can't imagine what you are doing
Phoenix Youth Centre
Speak Percussion and Aphids present
It looks like you are doing something, but we can't imagine what you are doing.
Eugene Ughetti solo percussion
In this world premiere for Big West, percussionist Eugene Ughetti performs a series of works that cross the boundaries of music and choreography, challenging us to rethink how we see, hear and move.
This virtuosic showcase features a dance work for percussionist by world renowned Texas-based choreographer Deborah Hay, as well as new works by Eugene Ughetti, Melbourne composers David Young and Alex Garsden, and Sydney choreographer Martin del Amo.
Duration: approx 60 minutes
Bookings: http://www.speakpercussion.com/shop.php?product=16
or tickets at the door
$15 full/$10 conc.
Dates: 8pm Thurs 26th Nov and 8pm Fri 27th Nov
Venue: Phoenix Youth Centre, 72 Buckley Street, Footscray
19
Mar
2010
Pasta Percussion
Raw Materials
Presented in the 2010 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in collaboration with Raw Materials and chef Glenn Flood.
This event will see Speak’s first exploration of the nexus between food and sound through the experience of cooking and music performance.
Pasta and Percussion can be traced back to a common ancestor word ‘kwet-’ in the pre-historic language Proto-Indo-European.
Over millennia, ‘kwet-’ has evolved into words related to shaking, striking or sprinkling – all actions of cooking and performing with percussion. Such words include squash, discuss, paste and pastry and related words in Italian, Hindi, Persian and Greek.
The audience will progress through a five-course meal in which each dish is carefully coupled and conceptually intertwined with a percussion piece. The basic platform will be the relationship between pasta and percussion and the way in which the two senses correlate.
The performance will be presented in various parts of the Raw Materials warehouse space including The Studio which features a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area fully equipped for cooking demonstrations and degustation.
The major work of the event takes pasta as both the food and sound source. It will be a compositional exploration of sprinkling, cracking and shaking pieces of raw pasta in combination with other culinary implements and sound generators. The pasta that is eaten will be exactly that that becomes the musical instrument. Orechiette, this distinctly Italian form of pasta translates literally as “little ears” and will contribute another connection between the experience of sound and taste.
Percussionists will be dressed in chefs attire, programs will function simultaneously as menus, ushers will also be waiters and the percussionists will interact sonically with live cooking.
Program
Percussion sound installation
John Cage Three 2
Javier Alvarez Temazcal
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung
Eugene Ughetti Lady Cosmic Dream
Menu/Program
* vegetarian and dietary restrictions available
Antipasti.
Prentice Ramato (200X)
Eugene Ughetti untitled soundscape (2010)
Orechiette. Insalata of charred asparagus, torn figs, 180 acres goats curd and 9-year-old balsamic.
Moondarra Semillion Savignon Blanc
John Cage THREE2 for percussion trio (19XX)
Shake and sprinkle. House-smoked salmon with Tuscan bread salad, lime and herb salt.
Moondarah Beurot Pinot Gris (200X)
Javier Alvarez Temazcal for solo maracas and tape (1984)
Sault. Spaghetti saltate finished with pangritata.
Hollys Garden Pinot Noir (200X).
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B for multiple percussion (1989)
4th piatto. Radicchio & rocket with walnut dressing.
Water
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung for 4 cymbals (2002)
Tiramisu. Tiramisu with caffe Agust, crostoli
Pizzini vin Santo, King Valley (200X)
Eugene Ughetti Lady Cosmic Dream for percussion trio and 2 tapes (2005)
Performances
19th SOLD OUT! & 20th of March, 2009
7pm for a 7:30pm start
Venue
RAW MATERIALS
148 Cowper St
Footscray
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL at www.speakpercussion/shop
click above on shop to link directly.
Table and group bookings welcome.
Tickets
$175 (includes 5 course meal, wine & performance)
Links
www.rawmaterials.com.au
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Photograph
Martin Paten
20
Mar
2010
Pasta Percussion
Raw Materials
Presented in the 2010 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in collaboration with Raw Materials and chef Glenn Flood.
This event will see Speak’s first exploration of the nexus between food and sound through the experience of cooking and music performance.
Pasta and Percussion can be traced back to a common ancestor word ‘kwet-’ in the pre-historic language Proto-Indo-European.
Over millennia, ‘kwet-’ has evolved into words related to shaking, striking or sprinkling – all actions of cooking and performing with percussion. Such words include squash, discuss, paste and pastry and related words in Italian, Hindi, Persian and Greek.
The audience will progress through a five-course meal in which each dish is carefully coupled and conceptually intertwined with a percussion piece. The basic platform will be the relationship between pasta and percussion and the way in which the two senses correlate.
The performance will be presented in various parts of the Raw Materials warehouse space including The Studio which features a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area fully equipped for cooking demonstrations and degustation.
The major work of the event takes pasta as both the food and sound source. It will be a compositional exploration of sprinkling, cracking and shaking pieces of raw pasta in combination with other culinary implements and sound generators. The pasta that is eaten will be exactly that that becomes the musical instrument. Orechiette, this distinctly Italian form of pasta translates literally as “little ears” and will contribute another connection between the experience of sound and taste.
Percussionists will be dressed in chefs attire, programs will function simultaneously as menus, ushers will also be waiters and the percussionists will interact sonically with live cooking.
Program
Percussion sound installation
John Cage Three 2
Javier Alvarez Temazcal
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung
Eugene Ughetti Lady Cosmic Dream
Menu/Program
* vegetarian and dietary restrictions available
Antipasti.
Prentice Ramato (200X)
Eugene Ughetti untitled soundscape (2010)
Orechiette. Insalata of charred asparagus, torn figs, 180 acres goats curd and 9-year-old balsamic.
Moondarra Semillion Savignon Blanc
John Cage THREE2 for percussion trio (19XX)
Shake and sprinkle. House-smoked salmon with Tuscan bread salad, lime and herb salt.
Moondarah Beurot Pinot Gris (200X)
Javier Alvarez Temazcal for solo maracas and tape (1984)
Sault. Spaghetti saltate finished with pangritata.
Hollys Garden Pinot Noir (200X).
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B for multiple percussion (1989)
4th piatto. Radicchio & rocket with walnut dressing.
Water
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung for 4 cymbals (2002)
Tiramisu. Tiramisu with caffe Agust, crostoli
Pizzini vin Santo, King Valley (200X)
Eugene Ughetti Lady Cosmic Dream for percussion trio and 2 tapes (2005)
Performances
19th SOLD OUT! & 20th of March, 2009
7pm for a 7:30pm start
Venue
RAW MATERIALS
148 Cowper St
Footscray
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL at www.speakpercussion/shop
click above on shop to link directly.
Table and group bookings welcome.
Tickets
$175 (includes 5 course meal, wine & performance)
Links
www.rawmaterials.com.au
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Photograph
Martin Paten
29
Mar
2010
Melbourne Uni Lunchtime Concert
Melba Hall, University of Melbourne - Parkville
Monday 29th of March, 1:10-2pm
Melba Hall
University of Melbourne
Royal Parade, Parkville
This program is taken from Speak's recent collaboration with chef Glenn Flood and Raw Materials, in a project presented in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
It explores the deep correlations between Pasta and Percussion taking the root word in Proto-Indo-European "kwet" as it's point of departure.
Program
Antipasti sound installation
John Cage Three 2
Javier Alvarez Temazcal
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B
Fritz Hauser Zeichnung
Eugene Ughetti Lady Cosmic Dream
04
Apr
2010
Surface Given Radiance
Castlemaine Presbyterian Church
Presented as part of the 2011 Castlemaine State Festival Surface Given Radiance is an extension of Speak Percussion's Vibraphone series in which the cultural, timbral and historical aspects of the instrument is explored.
In this concert, percussionists Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott and Leah Scholes will present an eclectic program to celebrate a diversity of acoustic languages on the vibraphone. In a program of predominantly virtuosic pieces by Australian composers, Speak Percussion will present the ultra-complex work of Richard Barrett from his mammoth chamber work Opening of the Mouth and the first-ever recorded vibraphone work from the vaudeville era, the infamous Aloha Oe as well as two recently composed pieces for Speak, Warren Burt's Vibraphone and Tuning Forks and Mark Pollard's The Heavenly Muzak Machine.
The program will also feature the world premiere performance of Surface Given Radiance by Luke Paulding, a brilliant young composer who is gaining notoriety for exploring unconventional timbres and extremes of playability. Paulding’s work augments the vibraphone with 80 microtonally tuned aluminum tubes, creating tightly woven textures with explosive force and the blazing resonance of metallic overtones.
VENUE
Castlemaine Presbyterian Church
11 Lyttleton St Castlemaine
DATE & TIMES
Monday 4 April 6pm
ADMISSION
$22 / $20
ACCESS
Wheelchair access. All Ages.
BOOKINGS
http://castlemainefestival.com.au/2011/speak-percussion-world-premiere/
SUPPORTERS
Speak Percussion is supported by Arts Victoria through it's Annual Operations program.
18
May
2010
Breaking the Sound Barrier: American Percussion Music 1940-2009
Iwaki Auditorium
A fascinating program of works spanning 1940-2009 curated and conducted by American percussion guru Jan Williams.
Including special guests Synergy Percussion giving the Melbourne premiere of Steve Reich's latest percussion work Mallet Quartet and the VCAM percussion ensemble.
Full program below...
Program credo by curator and conductor Jan Williams:
When Paul Price, arguably the person most responsible for the creation of a repertoire for the percussion ensemble, recorded the LP “Breaking the Sound Barrier” with the American Percussion Society for Urania Records in the late 1950’s, there was certainly a paucity of serious works for percussion ensemble. Immediately after WW II, it was Paul who unearthed a large cache of pieces by Henry Cowell, John Cage and Lou Harrison dating from the late 1930‘s and early 1940‘s, and began programming them at the University of Illinois, where he was teaching at the time. The inclusion of Lou Harrison’s 1941 Canticle No. 3 and Edgard Varese’s Ionisation on this recording marks a milestone in the history of recorded percussion music.
The percussion repertoire has come a long way since this recording was released, as is shown by the diversity of works on this evening’s program. Tonight we will break the sound barrier anew. You will experience a panoramic view of American percussion music since 1940, including several early works by John Cage and Lou Harrison and culminating in a performance of Harrison’s massive Labrynth No. 3, a work which remained largely unheard until the mid-1990’s. Two of the composers represented, Steve Reich and David Lang, are recent recipients of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in Music and have written many highly acclaimed, ground-breaking pieces for percussion.
All the pieces on this program do, in their own way, break barriers. But this has always been the nature of the percussion repertoire. The unlimited possibilities the world of percussion offers composers, and the dedication of percussionists to the study and performance of new works, virtually guarantees the creation of an amazingly diverse and rich repertoire. After tonight’s superbly played performances, I am sure you will see what I mean. Enjoy!
Jan Williams
April 2010
Breaking the Sound Barrier
American Percussion Music 1940-2009
PART 1
SPEAK PERCUSSION
David Lang: The So Called Laws Of nature Part II (2002)
Earle Brown: Folio II for Ann (1994)
James Tenney: Rune (1988)
PART 2
VCAM PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
John Cage: Amores (1943)
Lou Harrison: Suite (1942)
Earle Brown: Folio II 1991
John Cage: She is Asleep (1943)
John Cage: Third Construction (1941)
PART 3
SYNERGY PERCUSSION
Steve Reich: Mallet Quartet (2009)
Earle Brown: Folio II 1980
VCAM PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Lou Harrison: Labrynth No. 3 (1940-41)
-Ode
-Passage Thru Dreams
-Seed
-Image in the Soil
Date
Tuesday the 18th of May
7:30pm
Venue
Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Centre
Souhtbank Blv, Southbank
Tickets
Full $25 Concession $15
Bookings
click on Shop above (www.speakpercussion.com/shop)
OR
at the door
12
Jun
2010
Vibraphone I
Montsalvat
This program is focused around perspectives of the Vibraphone, reflecting on it’s unique sonority and ancient origins presented within it's contemporary context.
Featuring new works written especially for this program by local legends Warren Burt and Mark Pollard. A work from Stockhausen's week-long Opera Licht (Freitag). The first-ever recorded Vibraphone work from the Vaudeville era, the infamous Aloha Oe, and a traditional Indonesian Gender Wayang piece harking back to the Vibraphone’s hypnotic Gamelan origins.
PROGRAM
Traditional Hawaiian, arranged by "Signor Frisco" - Aloha Oe
Mark Pollard - The Heavenly Muzak Machine (World premiere)
Karlheinz Stockhuasen - Vibra-Elufa
Dale Gorfinkel - solo for prepared vibraphone
Stuart Saunders Smith - Links no. 4 (Monk)
Traditional Balinese music - Rebong - Gender Wayang duo.
Warren Burt - new work (for 39 tuning forks tuned to just intonation) (World premiere)
Warren Burt - Beat Generation in the Californian Coastal Ranges for solo vibraphone and sine waves
DETAILS
Saturday 12th June, 2010
8pm
Montsalvat
7 Hillcrest Ave
Eltham
Percussionists
Eugene Ughetti
Matthias Schack-Arnott
Dale Gorfinkel
Jeremy Dullard
Timothy Phillips
Matthew Horsley
Tickets can be purchased online here: BUY NOW
photograph: Björn Perborg
22
Jun
2010
Exile
Online & Iwaki Auditorium
EXILE
after Euripides’ story of Iphigenia
Composed by Helen Gifford
Libretto by Richard Meredith
Director Margaret Cameron
Soprano Deborah Kayser
Media artist Champagne Valentine (Amsterdam)
Percussion Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott
We are delighted to be undertaking our first collaboration with Chamber Made Opera and continuing our relationship with Aphids in this fascinating new work.
Exile features a thrilling collaboration with Champagne Valentine, an outstanding media arts outfit based in Amsterdam. In 2008, Champagne Valentine designed and animated the showreel for Aphids Reel Music Festival presented at ACMI. We are very pleased to be working with this award-winning media arts and design studio who are working at the fore of virtual, digital, and mobile technologies.
Exile may well be the world’s first iPad opera.
Set on a desolate coastline, Helen Gifford’s exquisite chamber opera, Exile, explores the psychological state of Iphigenia as she reflects on her time as a high priestess of human sacrifices.
Co-produced by Aphids, Chamber Made Opera and Speak Percussion, Exile features acclaimed soprano Deborah Kayser with an ensemble of percussionists, clarinets, piccolo and mandolin. Exile will combine operatic performance with the extraordinarily textured and layered virtual gaming visuals by cult new media artists Champagne Valentine (Amsterdam).
Exile is a major production for 2010, and is the ultimate and dramatic combining of Greek tragedy, chamber opera, advanced digital media, new mobile technologies and contemporary music.
Exile will be recorded in front of a live studio audience for ABC Classic FM; filmed on location in remote, coastal Victoria; animated and digitally enhanced in Amsterdam; and launched online for download straight to your handheld device, iPad or computer.
LIVE STUDIO RECORDING
8pm Tuesday 22 June 2010
Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre, Melbourne
ADMISSION FREE
This project is supported through Aphids by the City of Melbourne, Arts Victoria and private donations (thank you!).
Art direction by Sweet Design with Aphids and Chamber Made Opera
Image: Daisy Noyes
09
Jul
2010
3MBS Chamber Music Feast CONCERT 1
Melba Hall
Grand Feast of Music, Wine and Food
part of the 3MBS Melbourne Chamber Music Feast
Hosted by Rita Erlich and Peter Burch
Speak will perform in a program including works performed by the Flinders Quartet, TinAlley String Quartet, Ensemble Liaison, Trio Anima Mundi, Silo String Quartet.
the program will remain secret until the night where each work is coupled with a glass of wine from either:
Delatite Winery, Yering Station, Cope Williams Winery, Hanging Rock Winery, Bacchus Hill Winery, Big Shed Wines.
The Grand Feast of Friendship, Music and Wine in 2008 was such a success, we have made it even better for our 2010 Chamber Feast. Again hosted by Rita Erlich and Peter Burch, not only will the audience receive 6 tastings of fantastic Victorian wine, each guest will have a small tasting box of food to go along with the wine and beautiful music. Rita proved herself to be a master of the art of matching music and wine. This is no random process but a synthesis of the senses guided by two much loved Melbourne identities. Starting at 6:30, you will still have time after the concert to enjoy a meal in the many restaurants on Lygon St.
VENUE
Melba Hall, The University of Melbourne
Gate 12, Royal Parade, Parkville
DATE
6:30pm Friday the 9th of July, 2010
BOOKINGS
All ticketing through M-TIX
(03) 9685 5111
www.m-tix.com.au
FESTIVAL LINK
http://www.3mbs.org.au/?q=node/559
10
Jul
2010
3MBS Chamber Music Feast CONCERT 3
Melba Hall
Saturday 10th of July at 7pm
Speak Percussion with violin soloist Rochelle Bryson (Trio Anima Mundi)
Lou Harrison Concerto for Violin with Percussion Orchestra
- plus -
8 cellists from Melbourne's chamber groups with Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Villa Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 and No. 5
The octets in this concert are pieces loved by every cellist and lover of cellos. Joined by Merlyn Quaife these two pieces will be sure favourites with audiences so book early. Speak Percussion will bring a new element to the Chamber Feast with violinist Rochelle Bryson. Percussionists are a special breed of musician and their attention to detail while engaging audiences will be married with the exotic solo violin in this rarely heard masterpiece of the 20th Century.
VENUE
Melba Hall, The University of Melbourne
Gate 12, Royal Parade, Parkville
DATE
7pm Saturday the 10th of July, 2010
PERFORMERS
Rochelle Bryson (violin soloist)
Speak Percussion:
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes & Steve Fitzgerald.
BOOKINGS
All ticketing through M-TIX
(03) 9685 5111
www.m-tix.com.au
FESTIVAL LINK
http://www.3mbs.org.au/?q=node/559
11
Jul
2010
3MBS Chamber Music Feast CONCERT 4
Melba Hall
Sunday the 11th of July at 2pm
Freshwater Trio with Speak Percussion perform
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15 arranged for string trio and percussion
TinAlley String Quartet with Flinders Quartet
Mendelssohn Octet in e flat op. 20
Definitely a performance not to be missed! Shostakovich's fifteenth symphony is revealed in a new, intimate setting with piano trio and percussion not normally associated with chamber music. The octet in this afternoon's performance is the quintessential string players dream. Mendelssohn's Octet needs no introduction except to say that the performers are relishing the excuse to prepare it for you!
VENUE
Melba Hall, The University of Melbourne
Gate 12, Royal Parade, Parkville
DATE
6:30pm Friday the 9th of July, 2010
BOOKINGS
All ticketing through M-TIX
(03) 9685 5111
www.m-tix.com.au
FESTIVAL LINK
http://www.3mbs.org.au/?q=node/559
29
Jul
2010
Vibraphone II
Melbourne Recital Centre - Salon
This program is focused around perspectives of the Vibraphone, reflecting on it’s unique sonority and ancient origins presented within it's contemporary context.
Featuring new works written especially for this program by Victorian composers Brendan Colbert, Mark Pollard and Luke Paulding. Melbourne experimental vibraphone guru Dale Gorfinkel will present his genre busting prepared vibraphone improvisations, juxtaposed alongside some of the most distinctive works ever written for the instrument. A work from Stockhausen's week-long Opera Licht (Freitag) and an ultra-complex master-work by Richard Barrett. The first-ever recorded Vibraphone work from the Vaudeville era, the infamous Aloha Oe, and a traditional Indonesian Gender Wayang piece harking back to the Vibraphone’s hypnotic Gamelan origins.
Sitting in sonic dialogue with the vibraphone will be a number of octaves of tuning forks pitched in just intonation and, commissioned especially for this project, quarter-tone suspended Aluminum tubes.
PROGRAM
Traditional Hawaiian, arranged by "Signor Frisco" - Aloha Oe
Mark Pollard - The Heavenly Muzak Machine (World premiere)
Karlheinz Stockhuasen - Vibra Elufa
Dale Gorfinkel - solo for prepared vibraphone
Traditional Balinese music - Angkatan - Gender Wayang duo.
Richard Barrett - abglanzbeladen/auseinandergeschrieben
Warren Burt - Beat Generation in the Californian Coastal Ranges
Warren Burt - Vibraphone and Tuning Forks
DATE/TIME
6pm, Thursday 29th of July
LOCATION
Melbourne Recital Centre (Salon)
Cnr Southbank Blv & Sturt St
Southbank VIC
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Timothy Phillips, Adrian Sherriff (Gender Wayang), Dale Gorfinkel (prepared Vibraphone)
BOOKINGS
www.melbournerecital.com.au
(03) 9699 3333
photograph: YATZEK
22
Aug
2010
Driftwood
Footscray Community Arts Centre
Speak Percussion presents a major new duo work, Driftwood, in which two 5-octave-marimbas deconstructed and strewn throughout a performance/installation space. The work recontextualises the marimba and explores it as a sonic, sculptural and historical artifact.
The marimba pulls apart into 10 major pieces of pressed metal, rubber and wood, which through the course of the 40 minute work will inhabit the space, re-forming into a myriad of physical and sonic structures. Hidden cavities of these mammoth instruments will be explored for the first time with the aide of live sound design and video/projections. As the marimbas expand and drift, the boundaries between instrument and performance space will blur.
Driftwood will trace the marimba's past, from its African origins to its contemporary form, while inviting the audience to imagine how the instrument might evolve in the next 100 years...
Date
22 August at 3pm
After interval: Daniel Buess (Switzerland) solo percussion.
Composition and performance: Eugene Ughetti & Matthias Schack-Arnott
Lighting design: Travis Hodgeson
The composition and performance of Driftwood is made possible through support from the Australia Council for the Arts' JUMP National Mentoring For Young and Emerging Artsists. JUMP is managed nationally by Youth Arts Queensland in collaboration with Carclew Youth Arts and Propel Youth Arts WA.
photograph: YATZEK
28
Aug
2010
10th Anniversary Tour: Australian Percussion Gathering
Conservatorium Theatre, Griffith University
The Australia Percussion Gathering is taking place at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University from August 26th – 30th 2010. A gathering of a cross-section of our musical community, this event brings together tertiary percussion students, secondary percussion students and their teachers, industry professionals from orchestras across the country, Australia’s leading percussion ensembles (Speak Percussion, Tetrafide), and interested community members. Central to all activities are 4 international guests from diverse backgrounds: Prof. Steven Schick (UCSD), Sylvio Gualdo (Paris Conservatoire), Phil Treloar (Kanazawa) and Kuniko Kato (USA/Japan).
Speak Percussion will be presenting a cross section of some of its most cutting-edge work, including a dance piece for percussionist by world renowned Texas-based choreographer Deborah Hay, James Rushford's blistering percussion and electronics piece Lucas Stumbles, Warren Burt's latest percussion work for vibraphone and 38 micro-tonally tuned tuning forks, and more...
Deborah Hay - Seeing, Seeing, Seeing
Eugene Ughetti & Matthias Schack-Arnott - Driftwood
James Rushford - Lucas Stumbles
Warren Burt - Vibraphone and Tuning Forks
Date/Time
4pm, 28 August
Conservatorium Theatre, Griffith University, Brisbane
Percussionists
Eugene Ughetti
Peter Neville
Matthias Schack-Arnott
Leah Scholes
18
Sep
2010
10th Anniversary Tour
Melbourne Recital Centre - Salon
In celebration of Speak Percussion's 10th Birthday this program reflects it's oeuvre and dedication to new and challenging Australian art music. All the works are focussed around the keyboard percussion family and were premiered by the group.
Speak Percussion contributes to contemporary music by dealing with percussion in innovative ways. Their art exists beyond percussion ensemble and new music practice in an evolving and hybrid form. They have commissioned many new works for percussion and have collaborated with artists from diverse disciplines.
PROGRAM
Brendan Colbert: Ebb - for keyboard percussion quartet (World Premiere)
Conlon Nancarrow: Player Piano Study No 31. trio arr. Speak Perc.
Anthony Pateras: Hypnagogics - for micro sounds, crotales and tape solo
Brendan Colbert: Clash – for keyboard percussion duo (World Premiere)
Fritz Hauser: As We Are Speaking - for percussion quartet (17 temple blocks)
Andrian Pertout: Exposiciones - for glockenspiel and tape solo
Warren Burt: Vibraphone and Tuning Forks - for vibraphone and 39 tuning forks in just intonation
James Rushford: Lucas Stumbles - for percussion quartet and tape
DATE/TIME
6pm, Saturday 18th of September
LOCATION
Melbourne Recital Centre (Salon)
Cnr Southbank Blv & Sturt St
Southbank VIC
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes
BOOKINGS
www.melbournerecital.com.au
(03) 9699 3333
19
Sep
2010
10th Anniversary Tour
Frankston Arts Centre
In celebration of Speak Percussion's 10th Birthday this program reflects it's oeuvre and dedication to new and challenging Australian art music. All the works are focussed around the keyboard percussion family and were premiered by the group.
This performance marks Speak's 2nd visit to the Frankston Arts Centre and they are proud to present a program that marks both their 10th Anniversary and also the prolific output of percussion works by local talent Brendan Colbert. Speak Percussion is working towards recording and releasing a CD of the complete percussion works of Brendan Colbert.
PROGRAM
Brendan Colbert - Ebb - for keyboard percussion quartet (World Premiere)
Anthony Pateras - Hypnagogics – for micro sounds, crotales and tape
Fritz Hauser - As We Are Speaking - for percussion quartet (17 temple blocks)
Andrian Pertout - Exposiciones - for solo Glockenspiel and tape
Brendan Colbert - Clash – for keyboard percussion duo (World Premiere)
Warren Burt - Vibraphone and Tuning Forks (for 39 tuning forks tuned to just intonation)
James Rushford - Lucas Stumbles (for percussion quartet and tape)
DETAILS
4pm, Sunday 19th of September (1 hour no interval)
Davey St, Frankston VIC
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes
TICKETS
ADULT $15 & CONCESSION $10
BOOKINGS
www.artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
22
Sep
2010
10th Anniversary Tour
ANU Canberra: School of Music - Band Room
In celebration of Speak Percussion's 10th Birthday this program reflects it's oeuvre and dedication to new and challenging Australian art music. All the works are focussed around the keyboard percussion family and were premiered by the group.
PROGRAM
Brendan Colbert: Ebb - for keyboard percussion quartet (World Premiere)
Conlon Nancarrow: Player Piano Study No 31. trio arr. Speak Perc.
Anthony Pateras: Hypnagogics - for micro sounds, crotales and tape solo
Brendan Colbert: Clash – for keyboard percussion duo (World Premiere)
Fritz Hauser: As We Are Speaking - for percussion quartet (17 temple blocks)
Andrian Pertout: Exposiciones - for glockenspiel and tape solo
Warren Burt: Vibraphone and Tuning Forks - for vibraphone and 39 tuning forks in just intonation
James Rushford: Lucas Stumbles - for percussion quartet and tape
DATE/TIME
7pm, Wednesday 22nd of September, 2010
LOCATION
Australian National University, School of Music Band Room.
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes
BOOKINGS
tickets available at the door 1 hour before
Full $15 Concession $12 - ANU students free
25
Sep
2010
10th Anniversary Tour
Recital Hall East - Sydney Conservatorium
In celebration of Speak Percussion's 10th Birthday this program reflects it's oeuvre and dedication to new and challenging Australian art music. All the works are focussed around the keyboard percussion family and were premiered by the group.
Speak Percussion contributes to contemporary music by dealing with percussion in innovative ways. Their art exists beyond percussion ensemble and new music practice in an evolving and hybrid form. They have commissioned many new works for percussion and have collaborated with artists from diverse disciplines.
PROGRAM
Brendan Colbert: Ebb - for keyboard percussion quartet (World Premiere)
Conlon Nancarrow: Player Piano Study No 31. trio arr. Speak Perc.
Anthony Pateras: Hypnagogics - for micro sounds, crotales and tape solo
Brendan Colbert: Clash – for keyboard percussion duo (World Premiere)
Fritz Hauser: As We Are Speaking - for percussion quartet (17 temple blocks)
Andrian Pertout: Exposiciones - for glockenspiel and tape solo
Warren Burt: Vibraphone and Tuning Forks - for vibraphone and 39 tuning forks in just intonation
James Rushford: Lucas Stumbles - for percussion quartet and tape
DATE/TIME
7pm, Saturday 25th of September, 2010
LOCATION
Recital Hall East
Sydney Conservatorium
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti, Peter Neville, Matthias Schack-Arnott, Leah Scholes
TICKETS
$30 Adult / $20 Conc, (Under 30)
BOOKINGS
(02) 8256 2222
www.cityrecitalhall.com
tickets available at the door
*supported by Sound Travelers and the New Music Network
17
Oct
2010
System Building
Red Gate Gallery Levels 1 & 4, Dongbianmen Watchtower Chongwenmen, Beijing
Presented by Aphids, Speak Percussion, and Red Gate Gallery
An international percussion work of miniature proportions, System Building fuses percussion and architecture on an intimate scale.
Artist Rosemary Joy has created a series of adaptable miniature percussion instruments, each inspired by the venue in which the work will be performed. The first performances were performed in and inspired by Radialsystem V (Berlin), Watertoren West (Noorderzon Festival,the Netherlands), the Melbourne Recital Centre and CarriageWorks.
System Building in China draws inspiration from the Ming Dynasty architectural features of Beijing's Red Gate Gallery, and challenges the very idea of a musical instrument.
System Building coincides with the Year of Australian Culture in China.
Download the System Building 2009 review in UnMagazine here.
ARTIST: Rosemary Joy
PERCUSSIONISTS: Eugene Ughetti and Matthias Schack-Arnott
INSTRUMENT CONSTRUCTION: Adam Stewart and Rosemary Joy
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Thea Baumann
SYSTEM BUILDING PERFORMANCE TIMES AND DATES
17 October 2010: Official Launch at Red Gate Gallery
1 pm, 1.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.00pm, 3 pm, 3.20pm, 3.40pm
Opening drinks: 4- 5pm
18 October 2010:
1 pm, 1.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.00pm, 3 pm, 3.20pm, 3.40pm
Performances are FREE.
As System Building performances are intimate in nature, and performed to 14 people maximum capacity at a time. Seating is strictly limited.
BOOKINGS:
Bookings are essential and are to be made through Red Gate Gallery online booking system.
14
Jan
2011
Pulsars & Angels
Shed No. 1 Princes Wharf, Tasmania
MONA FOMA 2011
Speak Birthday Concert 1
Pulsars & Angels
PROGRAM
Anthony Pateras - Refractions (2008) for percussion sextet
Erik Griswold - Strings Attached (1999) for percussion sextet
Liza Lim - City of Falling Angels (2006) for percussion twelvetet
Gerard Grisey - Le Noir de l’Étoile (1991) for percussion sextet
In celebration of Speak Percussion’s 10th Birthday, the MONA FOMA will present an event of some of the most significant percussion music ever to have been presented in Australia.
The program will feature large-scale works by Australian composers Liza Lim, Anthony Pateras and Erik Griswold plus masterpieces by European and American greats. These programs span the entire duration of the percussion ensemble cannon starting with the iconic work Ionisation from the 1930’s through to a world premiere by Anthony Pateras.
This once in a decade project has at its centrepiece two major works for percussion 12tet, in an instrumental formation never before presented in Australia.
photograph by Jeff Busby
supported by Arts Victoria and the Australia Council for the Arts
15
Jan
2011
Cannons & Ions
Shed No. 1 Princes Wharf, Tasmania
MONA FOMA FESTIVAL 2011
Speak Birthday Concert 2
Cannons & Ions
PROGRAM
Edgard Varese - Ionisation (1931) for percussion twelvetet with piano
Iannis Xenakis - Persephassa (1969) for percussion sextet
James Tenney - 3 pieces for drum quartet (1974/75) for percussion quartet
Anthony Pateras - Flesh and Ghost (2010/11) for percussion twelvetet
In celebration of Speak Percussion’s 10th Birthday, the MONA FOMA will present an event of some of the most significant percussion music ever to have been presented in Australia.
The program will feature large-scale works by Australian composers Liza Lim, Anthony Pateras and Erik Griswold plus masterpieces by European and American greats. These programs span the entire duration of the percussion ensemble cannon starting with the iconic work Ionisation from the 1930’s through to a world premiere by Anthony Pateras.
This once in a decade project has at its centrepiece two major works for percussion 12tet, in an instrumental formation never before presented in Australia.
photograph by Jeff Busby
supported by Arts Victoria and the Australia Council for the Arts
06
Feb
2011
INTERIOR DESIGN: Music for the Bionic Ear
Fairfax Theatre, The Arts Centre
Six of Australia's foremost experimental music composers have been commissioned to research and test new sounds and musical forms both in the lab and with cochlear implant users themselves.
These tests have resulted in unique new approaches to the composition and diffusion of musical ideas and sensations. The concert is designed to be enjoyed by both cochlear implant users and audiences with normal hearing.
There are over 1000 Bionic Ear users in Victoria today. For these people the Bionic Ear brings sound into a previously silent world, and for the most part allows them to converse with friends and family. However, listening to live music can be a difficult, or even annoying experience!
INTERIOR DESIGN: Music for the Bionic Ear aims to start addressing that problem. Prepare to be challenged by what you hear and be careful not to make assumptions about what others might experience!
http://www.theartscentre.com.au/whats-on/event.aspx?id=2403
15
Apr
2011
Speak Emerging Artists Performance
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
The premiere performance of 5 new works as part of the Speak Emerging Artists Program.
This performance is the culmination of an intensive collaboration between Speak Percussion, guest composition lecturer Thomas Meadowcroft and 10 Emerging artists selected from around Australia.
6pm, Friday the 15th of April 2011.
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
57 Miles Street SOUTHBANK VIC
PROGRAM
Il Pleut Chris Williams NSW
Enso Owen Salome NSW
Evolve Theory Micah Brown QLD
Lykichi James Paul WA/VIC
The Elements Emily Sheppard VIC
EMERGING PERCUSSIONISTS
Anna Ng VIC
Kaylie Melville WA
Lionel Pierson WA
Madeleine Chwasta VIC
Rory Hannan VIC
BOOKINGS
www.speakpercussion.com/shop
TICKETS
available online or at the door
$10 concession & $15 full
SUPPORTERS
Speak Percussion is supported by Arts Victoria through it's Annual Operations program and it's emerging artists program by Victoria Rocks.
The Cybec Foundation
The Myer Foundation
Optimum Percussion
Rhythmscape Publishing
The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
16
Apr
2011
Thomas Meadowcroft: Percussion Portrait
Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Centre Southbank
DETAILS
6pm, Sat 16th April 2011
(1 hour, no interval).
ADMISSION
FREE!
PROGRAM
Home Organs – (sextet) 18mins
Plain Moving Landfill – (solo) 10 mins
The Great Knot (world premiere) – (trio) 20 mins
PERFORMERS
Eugene Ughetti,
Peter Neville,
Leah Scholes,
Matthias Schack-Arnott,
Matthew Horsley
NOTES
Thomas Meadowcroft is one of Australia’s most innovative composers and is currently based in Berlin. His exploration of sound colour and unusual performance techniques on percussion gives him a distinctive voice and exciting sound pallette.
Thomas will also be writing a new trio especially for Speak Percussion entitled The Great Knot.
Plain Moving Landfill (2003- ) percussion solo
Plain Moving Landfill was inspired by Thomas’ frequent Sunday morning trips as a child to the landfill on the edge of town. Small communal landfills, which are still common in regional Australia where space seems plentiful and some waste too easy not to bury. Bits of percussion music ('trash') are committed to memory and then re-assembled using a shorthand score for performance to make the complete work ('landfill').
This work was commissioned by one of the most important and oldest percussion groups in the world, Les Percussions de Strasbourg.
Home Organs (1999/2000) 6 percussionists
The work, Home Organs, is modeled on memory retrieval at the onset of Alzheimer’s Illness; childhood refrains flow freely while more or less ‘functional’ memories are filtered out.
The title, Home Organs, reads as both ‘home’ and ‘organs’. Although the word ‘organs’ signifies either ‘keyboards’ or ‘lungs’, the word ‘home’ has a life all it’s own; from a prosaic, real ‘suburban dwelling’ to a speculative, essentialist ‘ground’ or ‘site of belonging’. Here, ‘home’ is taken as more portable than the former and more flexible than the latter.
The name, Home Organ, is given to any keyboard instrument, other than the pianoforte, found in an Australian suburban house: harmonium, ‘Casio’, ‘Yamaha’ etc. Popular with my grandmother’s generation, the home organ occupies a neglected place in the genealogy of instruments built for domestic music making. As with Alzheimer’s Illness, the unmediated beauty of the home organ also affects my grandmother.
SUPPORTERS
Speak Percussion is supported by Arts Victoria through it's Annual Operations program.
This performance is supported by the City of Melbourne.
25
Jun
2011
Inuksuit for 9-99 Percussionists
Australian National Gallery, James Turrell Skyspace
Percussionists from around the globe will converge on Canberra Australia to present the Australian premiere of Inuskuit by Alaskan composer John Luther Adams. This 75 - 90 minute Dawn concert will be presented at the James Turrell Skyspace, National Gallery of Australia and will feature and international ensemble of performers including; Allen Otte and John Lane (USA), Speak Percussion (Melbourne), Synergy Percussion (Sydney), DRUMatiX Percussion (Canberra) as well as a host of individual guest artists.
"Inuksuit" is the plural form of "inukshuk," which are human-built stones located in the Arctic Circle that Inuit tribesmen used as navigation tools. In the same way that Inuit people wandered around these stones, so does John Luther Adams envision for Inuksuit that audience members freely wander around the nine-to-99 (Adams's specification) percussionists situated in varying locations in a given space. This isn't the usual concert work where an audience sits down to listen and watch performers perform that work. Instead, we are put in the position of being active spectators, choosing where to go and what to perceive within the space in which the work is performed."
When: 25 June, at Dawn
Where: Australian National Gallery, James Turrell Skyspace
Composer: John Luther Adams
Performers: An international collaboration including performers from Australia, USA, & Sweden.
Artistic Director: Gary France
International Guests: Dr. John Lane
Professor Allen Otte
Synergy Percussion: Australia
Speak Percussion: Australia
08
Sep
2011
Us and Others
Beckitt Theatre, Malthouse
Voices en masse, the power of percussion – this is no ordinary choral work. Visionary vocalist, composer and performance artist Gian Slater convenes a hand picked group of singers to take on Australian contemporary music legends Speak Percussion in a two-night only performance of a brand new work that thrillingly dismantles the boundaries of vocal music.
Us and Others is a new show that harnesses 18 voices and a cracking percussion arsenal in a performance of devastating power, emotion and beauty. Gian Slater’s virtuosic score draws on the influences of Bjork, Carmina Burana, Squarepusher and Steve Reich to create a musical world of rich complexity, melodicism and potent rhythmic power. With the mercurial brilliance of Eugene Ughetti’s Speak Percussion and Slater’s own internationally acclaimed Invenio Singers, Us and Others brings singing, percussion and choreography into a new world of Australian contemporary music.
Bookings:
http://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/page/Us_and_Others
09
Sep
2011
Us and Others
Beckitt Theatre, Malthouse
Gian Slater’s Invenio Singers and Speak Percussion.
Us and Others.
Voices en masse, the power of percussion – this is no ordinary choral work. Visionary vocalist, composer and performance artist Gian Slater convenes a hand picked group of singers to take on Australian contemporary music legends Speak Percussion in a two-night only performance of a brand new work that thrillingly dismantles the boundaries of vocal music.
Us and Others is a new show that harnesses 18 voices and a cracking percussion arsenal in a performance of devastating power, emotion and beauty. Gian Slater’s virtuosic score draws on the influences of Bjork, Carmina Burana, Squarepusher and Steve Reich to create a musical world of rich complexity, melodicism and potent rhythmic power. With the mercurial brilliance of Eugene Ughetti’s Speak Percussion and Slater’s own internationally acclaimed Invenio Singers, Us and Others brings singing, percussion and choreography into a new world of Australian contemporary music.
Bookings: http://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/page/Us_and_Others#tab1DatesPrices
15
Sep
2011
Le Noire de l'Etoile
8pm at Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre, Perth
The Totally Huge New Music Festival presents Speak Percussion for the opening night of the festival, performing Gerard Grisey's masterpiece for six spatialised percussionists and interstellar pulsars.
Gerard Grisey (1946-1998) was one of the most significant composers of the 20th century and a co-founder of the Spectral movement. He explored the altered perception of time through music and considered sounds not as dead objects that you can easily and arbitrarily permutate in all directions, but as living objects with a birth, lifetime and death.
He was directly influenced by the great-grandfather of percussion composition Edgard Varese, and places himself in a class of composer, along with Xenakis and Stockhausen, that presents a complete sound-state in their works rather than a musical discourse or rhetoric.
Grisey’s epic percussion masterwork, Le Noire de l'Etoile, takes as its musical framework the cosmic pulses of rotating neutron stars 7 million light years away. These stars, known as pulsars, rotate at up to thirty times a second, emitting a beam of light that turns at the same time as the star, like a kind of cosmic lighthouse. The pulsating energy from a pulsar can be converted into a sound recording, which in Le Noire de l'Etoile is used as both a timekeeper and a template for the sound world of piece.
Spatialised on podiums surrounding the audience, the six percussionists act as conduits of interstellar sound. Pulsing textures build and deteriorate, resonances erupt into the space only to be subsumed by others. Le Noire de l'Etoile takes the listener on an hour-long journey in which sounds are experienced as having a life of their own, navigating through time and space.
"Grisey's music: a mysterious lever—without secrets—inviting one on luminous voyages of listening towards a metamorphosis. Voluptuous irritation of the experience of sound and time—in perpetual transformation, decomposing and crystallizing: Phoenix and ashes at the same time. Grisey's music always astonishes the senses and mind differently and surprises itself at the same time." — Helmut Lachenmann
BOOKINGS
9484 1133 www.bocsticketing.com.au
17
Sep
2011
Flesh and Ghost
8pm at Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre, Perth
The Totally Huge New Music Festival presents Speak Percussion in concert, performing provocative percussion works recently composed for the group by three of Australia’s finest composers.
The program is bookended by two large-scale works by Australia’s wunderkind of the avant-garde, Anthony Pateras. Refractions moves between fierce and fragile textures, using sounds of bamboo whirring through air, ceramic tiles being struck, and the crackling of plastic wrapping to create a rich musical landscape. In the haunting Flesh & Ghost, 12 percussionists throw undulating waves of sound above a bed of chattering fragmented material.
Surface Given Radiance by Luke Paulding utilises exclusively pitched resonant metal instruments including 80 microtonally tuned aluminium tubes. The trio creates tightly woven textures with explosive force and the blazing resonance of metallic overtones.
This new trio by Berlin-based composer Thomas Meadowcroft, The Great Knot, is inspired by the lo-fi sounds of a Casio keyboard and builds rhythmic textures with sonorities that evoke a forgotten sound world. It demands a peculiar physical approach to percussion whilst alluding to a domestic environment.
PROGRAM
Anthony Pateras - Refractions
Luke Paulding - Surface Given Radiance
Thomas Meadowcroft - The Great Knot
Anthony Pateras - Flesh & Ghost
BOOKINGS
9484 1133 www.bocsticketing.com.au
20
Sep
2011
Syncretisms
WAAPA, Perth
for more info visit:
http://www.tura.com.au/totally-huge-music-festival/about
24
Sep
2011
ANDREW BYRNE in profile w. Astra
Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Centre Southbank
2 pm Saturday 24 September
IWAKI AUDITORIUM, ABC Southbank
ANDREW BYRNE IN PROFILE
performance/ broadcast for choir, percussion ensemble & solo piano
Andrew Byrne, WHISPERS AND CRIES (2008)
soloists, choir, percussion ensemble and keyboards
with
NEW WORKS (2011)
for percussion ensemble "A Ringing World" and solo piano
first performance
Speak Percussion – Artistic director: Eugene Ughetti
Michael Kieran Harvey, piano
The Astra Choir and soloists conducted by John McCaughey
New works by New York-based Australian composer Andrew Byrne (New York) are the focus of this concert / live broadcast / recording project in collaboration with ABC Classic FM.
19
Oct
2011
CITY JUNGLE
Seymour Centre (Sydney) & TBC (Melbourne)
CITY JUNGLE
This groundbreaking and unlikely project brings together the two major forces in contemporary Australian percussion, Synergy (Sydney) and Speak Percussion (Melbourne). An all-new double-bill event, CITY JUNGLE is presented in collaboration with major artists Terminal Sound System and Noxious Aquatic. CITY JUNGLE explores the dramatic and intricate sound world of Jungle and Drum’n’Bass, two of the hallmark British electronica genres that have their roots in the Amen-break played in 1969 by drummer G.C. Coleman for funk and soul band ‘The Winstons’.
That many percussionists have a fascination with DnB, is perhaps not surprising. When at its best, it weaves complex webs of syncopated rhythms and textures, its funk and soul heritage intensified by contemporary technology. Despite these connections and appeal, the music’s fast tempi have kept its performance largely the domain of DJs in nightclubs. Until now.
DETAILS Event held in Sydney at the Seymour Centre and Melbourne in October 2011.
Performance dates and venues are to be confirmed.
SUPPORTERS
Speak Percussion is supported by Arts Victoria through it's Annual Operations program.
24
Nov
2011
CITY JUNGLE
Melbourne Planetarium
Presented by Melbourne Planetarium and Big West Festival in conjunction with the new music network,
City Jungle is a groundbreaking and unlikely project bringing together the two major forces in contemporary Australian percussion, Synergy (Sydney) and Speak Percussion (Melbourne), in collaboration with the hypnotic beats of Terminal Sound System and Noxious Aquatic to explore the dramatic and intricate sound world of Jungle and Drum’n’Bass.
Over two distinct sets, virtuosic live percussion and digital programming will thrash it out on stage to breathtaking visuals projected across the night sky in Melbourne’s one and only Planetarium.
CREATIVE TEAM
Performers: Speak Percussion & Synergy (feat. Jared Underwood & Evan Mannell)
Composers: Terminal Sound System (arr. Speak Percussion) & Noxious Aquatic
Visuals: Sabina Maselli & Tokyo Love-Inn
Sound: Marco Cher-Gibard
Planetarium Production Design: Warik Lawrance
Project Management: Martin Bush
VENUE
Melbourne Planetarium
2 Booker Street, Spotswood
DATES
Thu 24 Nov, 8pm
TICKETS
$20
BOOKINGS:
Click here
SUPPORTERS:
new music network
arts victoria
australia council for the arts
nsw arts ministry