Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Celebrated Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin had already begun work on composing a symphony for Brisbane before the city embarked on its most eventful year in a generation.

But in January, as the waters subsided, she realised she had to start the special commission for Brisbane Festival 2011 from scratch. Symphonia Eluvium (Symphony of the Floods) came to life.

The composition of the symphony became Kats-Chernin's response to the devastation that destroyed so much, yet united people in so many ways.

It will tell the stories of these times in four movements, inspired by turbulence and noise, survival and loss, the mud army and resilience, optimism and moving on.

In what will be a special night for Brisbane and Queensland, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, led by internationally acclaimed conductor Asher Fisch, will bring Kats-Chernin’s richly symbolic work of art to life.

Audiences will also be treated to the Australian premiere performances of renowned Israeli composer Avner Dorman’s Variations Without a Theme and American composer John Adams’ stunning Grand Pianola Music.

Featured non-Australian music: John Adams, Avner Dorman

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured Australian Works

Symphonia Eluvium : for choir and orchestra (2011) by Elena Kats-Chernin and Erica Fryberg — World premiere — performed by Canticum Chamber Choir, The Brisbane Chorale, Asher Fisch and Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Featured artists

• Performer Kevin Power
• Performer Norma Marshke
• Performer Elizabeth Smalley
• Performer Laura Coall
• Performer Anna Smith
• Performer The Brisbane Chorale
• Performer Canticum Chamber Choir
• Conductor Emily Cox
• Performer Queensland Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor Asher Fisch