Adelaide Festival premieres works by Outi Tarkiainen and Missy Mazzoli, along with performances of iconic works by the powerhouse duo William Barton and Veronique Serret.

Outi Tarkiainen

An Ancient Song: Friday 10th March

Poème: Sunday 12th March

The Australian premiere of The Lustful Mother, a song cycle by Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen, takes place in the festival’s An Ancient Song program. The chamber work chronicles becoming a mother through its primitive, matriarchal beat with an earthy solo viola accompanying Judith Dodsworth’s mezzo-soprano part, sizzling strings by the Australian String Quartet and piano by Konstantin Shamray, conducted by Jeffrey Means.

Another Tarkiainen Australian premiere will take place in the Poème concert. Without a Trace is a piano solo work which will be performed by pianist Paavali Jumppanen to whom the work is dedicated. Inspired by the painting Immortal Prints by Richard Pousette-Dart and a collection of Nordic poetry by Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, the work’s reflective, listening episodes give way to a swiftly flowing stream gliding through time and nature undefiled.

Missy Mazzoli

Fantastical Journeys: Saturday 18th March

Jennifer Koh: Sunday 19th March

The Fantastical Journeys concert will be the Australian Premiere of Procession, a violin concerto of symphonic dimensions by Missy Mazzoli. The work will be performed by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra together with violinist Jennifer Koh for whom this work was commissioned. Written partly in response to the pandemic, the soloist acts as a soothsayer, sorcerer-type character who leads the orchestra through five movements centring on the theme of healing. Each part is connected through spells which mend, cure and cast out evil spirits.

Koh also performs two Missy Mazzoli works in her solo program. The haunting Dissolve, O My Heart, which is anchored in references to Bach’s Chaconne, spins into an off-kilter series of chords that ultimately dissolves in a torrent of fast, dizzying passages. Similarly, Mazzoli’s Kinski Paganini pays homage to the late German film maker Klaus Kinski and his devilish portrayal of Paganini’s feverish and passionate 24th Caprice.

William Barton and Veronique Serret

Heartland: Thursday 16 March

Heartland takes the audience on a meditative and uplifting journey through blending song lines and storytelling in this compelling collaborative work. The program features Didge Fusion by William Barton and Kalkani by William Barton and Veronique Serret. Violins, didgeridoo and guitar are joined by soaring vocals, ethereal loops and electronic effects in a distinct evocation of the Australian landscape.

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