Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

In a post-truth world, where words can no longer be trusted, can we instead say it with music?

Guest horn player Deepa Goonetilleke – Brisbane-born and Frankfurt-based – joins Kupka's Piano to present works that resolve to mutual outcomes despite their unlikely differences. With its title taken from Australian composer Dan Thorpe's 2016 work [ false cognate ] for amplified bass flute and electric guitar, the final concert in Kupka’s ‘Words Fail’ series explores the breakdown of verbal communication and comfort found in unfamiliar situations.

On the program is a mix of recent and new works from Australia and abroad. György Ligeti's Horn Trio, subtitled as an "Hommage à Brahms" after the old master’s work for the same unusual instrumentation (horn, violin, and piano). Ligeti’s Trio highlights a mix of influences that assisted the composer in emerging from a crippling writer's block, including ironic distorted motifs, rhythms influenced by polymetric African music, and the sonic challenges presented by matching the equal-tempered piano with the natural-tempered horn. Brian Ferneyhough's Flurries is written for sextet, the ensemble is grouped into three intricate and contrasting duos that gradually morph into two antiphonal trios, attempting to converse with each other in different textural languages. The program will also feature an exciting world premiere by Australian composer Samantha Wolf.

Do not miss your chance to see Brisbane's own Kupka’s Piano one last time for 2017 at the Judy!

Featured non-Australian music: Ligeti, Ferneyhough

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• New work by Samantha Wolf
• Music of Daniel Thorpe
• Performer Kupka's Piano