Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Join Australia’s leading contemporary music ensemble, Synergy Percussion, in this special Australasian premiere of Steve Reich’s Mallet Quartet at City Recital Hall. Often described as ‘America’s greatest living composer’ (Village Voice) Reich was a pioneer of minimalism and continues to be a driving force in all music circles. The historical importance and the unique freshness of Reich’s musical spirit is the focus of this celebratory premiere. Mallet Quartet (2009) is an unashamedly optimistic and radiant work, full of the driving rhythms, catchy melodies and beautiful harmonies for which Reich is famous. His highly repetitive experimental works of the 1970s are far behind, yet his music retains its ritualistic and trance-like quality, particularly in magnificent acoustics. The work has been described as ‘a beguiling, beautiful and sometimes perplexing creation’ (Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle Music Critic). Since its formation in 1974, Synergy Percussion has delivered exceptional performances of the greatest percussion music from Australia and around the world, often premiering new works by outstanding composers.

'Synergy Percussion has shown a capacity for reinvention, driven by talent and imagination while sticking to strong artistic values, honouring giants of the past, as well as the young and the bold.' Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald

Performers: Synergy Percussion (Timothy Constable AD, Alison Pratt, Joshua Hill), joined by Eugene Ughetti, guest solo guitar, Carl Dewhert, guest pianists, Jo Allan and Colin Piper

Associated Event of the ISCM World New Music Days

Featured non-Australian music: Steve Reich

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on 61282562222 or by email to info@synergypercussion.com

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Synergy Percussion