‘Builds an atmosphere of sinewy, evocative mystery, resembling music of the baroque as if remembered in a dream…’ (Sydney Morning Herald on Dark with Excessive Bright)
Spinning past and present into a vibrant collision of styles and forms, this programme pairs one of the most distinctive voices of contemporary American music with cherished works by Mozart, Beethoven and Elgar.
New York-based composer Missy Mazzoli writes adventurous music with nods to classical, indie rock and pop. Co-commissioned by Aurora and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, her new work Dark with Excessive Bright is a soaring double bass concerto rooted in Baroque idioms that swirls with brooding intensity and relentless momentum. While Mazzoli’s music is very much the sound of the moment, it also harks back to the classical greats; she cites Beethoven as her ultimate musical love, and has been referred to as ‘Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart’ (Time Out).
Referencing these inspirations, we place Mazzoli’s music in dialogue with Beethoven’s daring and compact Eighth Symphony, continuing our journey through the composer’s symphonic works at Kings Place. Also included in the programme is Elgar’s Serenade for Strings and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 (‘Elvira Madigan’) performed by Yeol Eum Son, whose thrilling performance of this concerto at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011 catapulted her to global stardom.
Related events:
In conversation: Yeol Eum Son & Ben Griffiths
6pm – Free, but ticketed in the St Pancras Room
The Lock-In: Sticks and Keys
9.15pm – Late-night performance of Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, featuring Aurora’s Principal Players
Missy Mazzoli’s Dark with Excessive Bright is co-commissioned by Aurora Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Aurora’s performance of the new work is generously supported by Kate Green.
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 is generously supported by Suzanne Szczetnikowicz.
Mozart’s Piano is generously supported by:
The Parabola Foundation (principal supporter)
An Anonymous Donor
Nicholas & Margo Snowman
Aurora Orchestra’s Concerto Patrons & Friends