The Twentieth Century In Music From The Australia Ensemble@UNSW

The Australia Ensemble@UNSW  presents its April concert themed around the American composer Martin Bresnick’s ensemble piece My Twentieth Century. This work by Bresnick (b1946) who teaches at Yale University, reflects, at times whimsically and reflectively, on the troubled century passed – a century of terrible conflict but also great discovery and renewal.

In musical terms, this troubled century covers an enormous expressive range from the late Romanticism of Elgar’s expansive Piano Quintet in A minor Op.84, written in 1814, through to the wit and neoclassical spark of Ravel’s Duo for violin and cello composed between 1920 and 1922.

Reflecting this is a witty and argumentative duo by the American Elliott Carter, whose life spans the twentieth century.

At the heart of the century – and indeed in the heart of Australia’s musical life – is Peter Sculthorpe’s Irkanda IV, in a special arrangement he made for the Australia Ensemble. This threnody written in memory of Sculthorpe’s father etched out a new musical language which defined the beginning of Australia’s post-war era in musical terms, and is a fitting memorial for our much-loved colleague and friend.

The programme:

Martin BRESNICK My Twentieth Century (2002)/ Peter SCULTHORPE Irkanda IV (1961) arr. by the composer for flute and string quartet/Maurice RAVEL Duo for violin and cello (1920-22)/Elliott CARTER Esprit rude, esprit doux (1985)/Edward ELGAR Piano Quintet in A minor Op.84 (1918)

Tickets: Adult $48/ Senior $35/ Concession $27/ Student rush $15

Bookings & enquiries: 02 9385 4874 www.ae.unsw.edu.au