SILENT INSPIRATION – FLINDERS QUARTET

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How do composers handle deafness?  How does hearing loss influence their creativity?  Everyone knows that Beethoven became profoundly deaf, but what about composers today living with the same challenges? Flinders Quartet presents a concert program of works by three composers affected by hearing loss: Beethoven, Smetana, and the modern-day Australian composer Calvin Bowman.

‘Silent Inspiration’ poses the question: what is it like to not be able to hear your own work of genius? The Flinders Quartet selection showcases three landmark composers: Elegy by Australian composer Calvin Bowman; Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 135 in F major, the last substantial work he completed before his death; and Smetana’s semi-autobiographical String Quartet No. 1 in E minor From My Life, in which he describes the tinnitus he was experiencing in graphic musical detail.

Beethoven’s deafness resulted in him retreating into his own world and creating new sounds that were so pivotal in the development of western music. 39 year old Calvin Bowman is the first Australian to graduate with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale, and he is going through hearing loss as his career blossoms.

‘Silent Inspiration’ presents short readings of the words of all three composers as well, providing a window into the composer’s world and a deeper understanding of the person behind the music. Flinders Quartet has been nominated for numerous national awards including ARIA, APRA, Limelight and the Melbourne Prize, over their 11 year history as a chamber ensemble. Their 2012 season features collaborations with Australian jazz icon, Vince Jones; the world premiere of a new cross-platform work in collaboration with Red Stitch Actors Theatre; and a move to a new concert venue in the celebrated Melbourne Recital Centre.

Click here to view Flinders Quartet performing www.youtube.com/flindersquartet

Bursting the boundaries of what people can expect at a “classical” concert, Flinders  Quartet hope that the Melbourne Recital Centre’s hearing loop, as well as the concert program, will enhance the audio experience for hard of hearing  audience members who may not have attended chamber music concerts before. Patrons will be delighted with a Q&A session with composer Calvin Bowman immediately after the performance.

Event Details

Start Date:
28-05-2012
Finish Date:
28-05-2012
Event Times:
Monday 28th of May 2012. 6.30 pm
Type of Event:
Performance
Venue Name:
Melbourne Recital Centre
Address:
31 Sturt Street Southbank
Contact Phone:
0417 798 523
Email:
admin@flindersquartet.com
Website:
http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whatson/buytix?perfid=3157&tab=BuyTix
Region:
Melbourne Metro
Access information:
  • Assistive Listening
  • Companion Card accepted
Visual elements:
100% Visual Content
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