Electric Blue

Wednesday 26 / Thursday 27 April 2023

BOOK TICKETS

Ubiquitous and ever-present, blue encompasses the skies above and the oceans below. This program takes inspiration from Derek Jarman’s film Blue and highlights personal responses to this universal, all-permeating colour.

We open with a new work from Miriama Young, a New Zealand-born, Australian-based composer and sound artist. Bathed in blue, Young’s commission will explore and reflect colour through sonority.

In Scriabin’s colour system, blue was the key of F-sharp. While it’s doubtful he experienced neurological synesthesia – the simultaneous perception of sound and colour – Scriabin was a flamboyant and eccentric character, captivated by colour and steeped in a broader cultural fascination with its effects. His blue piano concerto is an utterly beautiful, tuneful, soul-cleansing balm of a piece.

The unmatched master of orchestration, Rimsky-Korsakov’s instrumental colours are as the brush strokes of an artist. One of the greatest hits of classical music, his Scheherazade is inspired by scenes from One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. A genuine synesthete, Rimsky-Korsakov experienced E major as a dark blue, which infuses the many sea-inspired tableaus and reflects his lifelong fascination with the ocean.

This program also features a world premiere from Harry Sdraulig, featuring CSO Principal Cellist Patrick Suthers.

Jessica Cottis image by Kaupo Kikkas

YOUR CONCERT EXPERIENCE

When to arrive
Doors to Llewellyn Hall will open at 6.15pm. The pre-concert conversation will run from 6.30pm to 7pm (approx.), with the concert commencing at 7.30pm. Please allow sufficient time for parking.

Box Office
The Box Office in the ground floor Athenaeum will be open from 6pm for ticket purchase and collection. The Box Office is card only (no cash). 

Accessibility
FM radio assisted hearing units are available in Llewellyn Hall. To reserve a unit, call CSO Direct at least 24 hours in advance on 02 6262 6772 (weekdays 10am – 3pm). Hearing units can be collected from the Box Office in the ground floor Athenaeum. For information about wheelchair seating and other accessibility requirements, call CSO Direct or enquire directly with Llewellyn Hall.

Cloaking
Cloaking is not available at this time. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Parking
Free after-hours parking is available in front of the ANU School of Music, behind the ANU School of Art and in the Baldessin multi-storey carpark off Childers Street.

Refreshments
Biginelli’s (Level 5, ANU School of Music) and the Athenaeum and Level 4 bars will be open pre-concert and at interval. The bars will accept card only (no cash).

Pre-concert conversation
Concertgoers are invited to attend a free, pre-concert talk from 6.30pm to 7pm (in Llewellyn Hall) with Jessica Cottis and our two commissioned composers: Miriama Young and Harry Sdraulig.

Interval
There will be a 20-minute interval from 8.20pm to 8.40pm (approx.).

Concert programs
Complimentary programs will be available throughout the venue. Read program notes online

Running order
6.00pm – Box Office opens
6.15pm – Doors to Llewellyn Hall open
6.30pm – Pre-concert conversation begins
7.00pm – Pre-concert conversation concludes (approx. timing)
7.30pm – Concert commences
8.20pm – Interval (approx. timing)
9.45pm – Concert concludes (approx. timing)

COVID SAFETY

The CSO is working closely with Aspen Medical to deliver concert experiences in line with ACT Government requirements.