C11 American Modern
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Saturday, 4 May 2024
2:30 pm
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James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia
Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600
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In Association with
Presented in association with the National Gallery of Australia
When Nonesuch Records released 979 176-2 in the late 80s, no one quite suspected the enormous impact both Electric Counterpoint and Different Trains would have on popular culture and performance practices such as looping, now common across the board. The man behind it: Steve Reich, channelling the sounds of New York, the rhythms of central Africa and a healthy dose of Jewish history into meticulously constructed scores. Hear some of the most iconic works of the late 20th century inside the gallery that captured American minimalism in its heydays and bringing Rauschenberg and Warhol to our walls.
PROGRAM
Steve Reich, Clapping Music
Kate Moore, Spin Bird
Steve Reich, Electric Counterpoint
Meredith Monk, Gotham Lullaby
Steve Reich, Different Trains
ARTISTS
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam
Pavel Ralev, guitar
Florian Peelman, viola
Roland Peelman, piano
Florian Peelman is supported by Peronelle and Jim Windeyer
Roland Peelman is supported by Anna and Bob Prosser
ARTIST Learn more about the artist
Artist Roland Peelman AM
“His encyclopaedic understanding of performing and visual arts and his theatrical instinct place him in constant demand as a musician of flair and imagination.” – Antony Jeffrey, Many Faces of Inspiration.
Born in Belgium, Roland Peelman has been active in Australia over 30 years as a conductor, pianist, artistic director and mentor to composers, singers and musicians alike. He has established a reputation as one of Australia’s most innovative musical directors, awarded with numerous accolades. On the sidelines, Roland remained active as a pianist, putting his fingers in the service of social activism, in particular Human Rights.
Artist Pavel Ralev, classical guitar
“Pavel gave a spellbinding concert. His technique is so effortless, graceful and poetic. The audience went crazy, stood up, and cheered him. It was the best guitar concert I’ve been to in years.” – John Williams
Following the success of his Wigmore Hall debut for the Julian Bream Trust, Pavel Ralev returns to Australia for his second tour of the country in May 2024.
Through his programme “On Repeat” Pavel explores the effects of repetition and drones on human emotion and the perception of time. The music leads us through a wave of gradually dissolving material: dense harmonies by jazz guitarist Ant Law are followed by Bach’s second Violin Partita, culminating with the Chaconne – his longest solo instrumental movement, constructed of 64 variations on a four-bar theme. Domeniconi’s Koyunbaba utilises a deeply resonating open C sharp minor tuning to envelop us in a meditative atmosphere with droning basses and repetitive middle-eastern themes. To finish, Pavel will perform his take on Steve Reich’s modern classic Electric Counterpoint – the first acoustic performance since 1993 and a joyful celebration of the guitar (“an excellent recording. Bravo!” – S. Reich).
Pavel will appear at the Canberra International Music Festival, Queensland Conservatorium (Brisbane), University of Western Australia (Perth), Tempo Rubato (Melbourne), Wayville House (Adelaide) and a benefit concert for Ukrainian refugees supported by the United Nations at The Hedberg (Hobart, Tasmania).
Artist Dudok Quartet Amsterdam
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam is forging a reputation as one of the most creative and versatile quartets of its generation. With its ethos of “sharing the heart of music”, the quartet is committed to crafting unique and eclectic programmes in order to engage with its audiences in new and imaginative ways. In repertoire ranging from Ligeti, Shostakovich and Bacewicz through to Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven, the Dudok Quartet constantly strives to forge new pathways and connections in music. Their intelligent approach and flair for programming also sees them regularly perform their own arrangements of pieces and they have so far produced arrangements of composers including Gesualdo, Desprez, Shostakovich, Brahms and Messiaen. The Quartet is also committed to commissioning new works and have collaborated with composers including Joey Roukens, Peter Vigh and Theo Loevendie . Future commissioning projects include a new piece from British-Lebanese composer Bushra El-Turk.
Artist Florian Peelman, viola
Florian has played the violin since the age of five, and after absorbing the sound of gamelan in Indonesia, started formal training in Helsinki. At the age of 14 he continued his studies at Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Returning to his Belgian roots at the age of 18, he enrolled at the Antwerp Conservatorium and switched to the viola. He completed his Masters under Walter Küssner at the world leading ‘Hans Eisler’ Hochschule für Musik Berlin achieving the highest distinction and has since continued to work there as Assistant Professor.