From Sufjan Stevens & Jonny Greenwood to Szymanowski

Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, The National’s Bryce Dessner, and American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens were all influenced by great composers. In this program they join forces with the source of their inspiration, Polish nationalists Karol Szymanowski and Witold Lutosławski.

A favourite of Richard Tognetti’s, Szymanowski’s surging String Quartet No.2 is a fusion of neoclassicism and Polish folk music. Lutosławski’s Overture for Strings is an almost dizzyingly multifaceted experiment, with one foot in neoclassicism and the other in the avant-garde.

Bryce Dessner’s Réponse Lutosławski is a homage to Lutosławski, whom he credits with having illuminated the way forward in his own musical development. Jonny Greenwood cites another Polish composer, Krzysztof Penderecki, as contributing to his experimental musical language. The suite from Greenwood’s film score, There Will Be Blood, is foreboding, hopeful and beautifully evocative.

Sufjan Stevens is widely celebrated as an American indie luminary. Run Rabbit Run is a précis of his 2009 album Enjoy Your Rabbit. Rhythmic drive, catchy melodies and mesmerising string sounds make for an energising and immersive experience.

Australian Chamber Orchestra 2019 Season

ARTISTS

Richard Tognetti Director

PROGRAM

LUTOSŁAWSKI Overture for Strings
BRYCE DESSNER Réponse Lutosławski (Australian Premiere)
SUFJAN STEVENS (arr. Michael Atkinson) Suite from Run Rabbit Run
PENDERECKI Three Pieces in Baroque Style: I. Aria
JONNY GREENWOOD Suite from There Will Be Blood
SZYMANOWSKI (arr. Richard Tognetti) String Quartet No.2

TICKETING INFO

Under 30s Price $30
Under 40s Price $40

RUNNING TIMES

Finishes approx. 9.30pm
Includes 20 min. interval

Times are approximate and subject to change at any time.

Pre-Concert Talk 6:45pm
with Rosalind Appleby

FOOD & BEVERAGES

Café
Open from 5.30pm for pre-show dinner and barista coffee and cake post-show. Dinner bookings essential, click here for more info.

Grab & Go - Download Menu [PDF]

Presented by the Australian Chamber Orchestra