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The use of electronics in Julian Day’s Father offered a fresh soundworld. Blue Heat was a mix of extreme softness, transparent textures and simmering energy, released finally in a frantic race to the end.
#SIMULACRA 2 THEME PLUS#
The blend of marimba, piano and clarinet created a woody warmth from which sprang soloistic sections for piano and clarinet plus an interlude of piano and marimba droplets sounding just like a music box. In a nod to American minimalism Turley’s work was built around repeated semiquaver patterns gently rising and falling in layered waves of sound. The ensemble members came together for the first time for the world premiere of Alex Turley’s Blue Heat. The work was anchored by its conclusion, a section of soft, hymn-like multiphonics where the simulacra theme was clearly apparent each note was shadowed by notes in the harmonic series reverberating simultaneously in a musical and technical masterstroke. Rapid soft passages were interrupted with explosive outbursts, followed by quirky micro tunings, folksy pitch-sliding, slap tonguing and more.
#SIMULACRA 2 THEME FULL#
Entr’acte explored extremes of pitch, dynamics and speed and Smith delivered the full spectrum of bass clarinet sounds and effects with intensity and suppleness. This was followed by an equally impressive bass clarinet solo as Smith relished the challenge laid down by WA composer Chris Tonkin. It was an astounding display of fierce independence married with precise synchronisation. For a few brief bars in the centre of the work the parts aligned before the phase shifted again in a strange dance of tugging unity. Two repetitive melodies duelled on piano and vibraphone with patterns of notes grouped in threes, fours or fives hammered up against each other in parallel motion. Green-Armytage and Devenish opened the programme with a breathtaking performance of American composer Hannah Lash’s C. The group comprises Lachlan Skipworth, co-founder and artistic director, Louise Devenish, percussion, Ashley Smith, clarinets and Emily Green-Armytage, piano. Intercurrent formed in 2016 and their vitality, unique instrumentation and enthusiastic commissioning of composers has already set them apart in Australian chamber music practice. Simulacra by definition refers to a representation or likeness – an intriguing theme for Intercurrent’s Tuesday night concert – part of Tura New Music’s Scale Variable series – which explores musical doubles, echoes and shadows.