The Surge

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Immerse yourself in poignant social revelations and shameless ’90s nostalgia.

The Surge is a multi-layered feast of music, ideas, lessons from the past and hope for the decade ahead, brought to you by Australia’s prolific new music group Ensemble Offspring and leading guitarists Andrew Blanch and Vladimir Gorbach. Together, they reignite two ’90s classics by iconic Australians Peter Sculthorpe and Nigel Westlake, alongside five new commissions reflecting on the cultural, environmental and political situations Australia finds itself in today.

These thoughtful and engaging works – composed especially for The Surge by Aussies Robert Davidson, Felicity Wilcox and Jessica Wells – examine everything from human-induced climate change to the pervasive influence of the internet. With stunning live visuals by the ever-inventive Peachey & Mosig, immerse yourself in poignant social revelations and shameless ’90s nostalgia!

Paul Mac – Redfern Address (2019)
video

Peter Sculthorpe – Tropic (1992)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion

Jessica Wells – Diminishing Species (2021)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion

Felicity Wilcox – Tipping Point (2021)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion

Jessica Wells – Technophiles (2021)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, tape

Nigel Westlake – Tall tales but true (1992)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, tape

Jessica Wells – This is the Nineties (2021)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion

Robert Davidson – Netsurf (2021)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, tape

Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director, percussion)
Jason Noble (clarinets)
Susie Bishop (violin)
Sonya Lifschitz (piano)
Andrew Blanch (guitar)
Vladimir Gorbach (guitar)
Ben Ward (double bass)
Paul Mosig (video)

Duration: 70 minutes