Australian Series: Play of Light

Hear the CSO Chamber Ensemble in the final instalment of our 2023 Australian Series. This program explores the organic, ephemeral nature of music, playfully bending sound and colour.

We feature an energetic new commission from Yuwaalaraay storyteller Nardi Simpson, inspired by the interaction of light and the stories it tells us. In Lightsense No. 1, Lisa Illean explores the nuanced interplay of light and shadow; working with sonority and subtlety, Illean’s music often ventures beyond traditional tuning systems.

A susurrus is a whispering or a rustling; this shimmering solo work by Connor D’Netto explores the timbral possibilities of the violin, with poignant, spacious passages interspersed by rapid acrobatics. Composed in two movements, Paul Stanhope’s All Air and Shadows is similarly concerned with music’s transience, drawing inspiration from the breath.

Andrew Ford’s Soave sia il vento (May the winds be gentle) highlights the contrasting timbres of the vibraphone and the marimba. Meanwhile, Kate Moore’s Fern for flute, clarinet, percussion and recorded sound reflects her fascination with what lies beneath the surface. This intricate, enchanting work mirrors the rich fertility of the forest floor.