CONTENT COURTESY ROB HAO
London-based pianist Rob Hao returns to Australia in April to premiere Nicholas Vines’ extravagant 50-minute musical portrayal of hipster subculture Indie Ditties. The 12-part book of ‘preludes’ reflects upon pockets of contemporary culture with humour, satire, and affection in movements with titles such as organic, vg, fairtrade, skinny, skinny jeans, and my love is a dead, dead pose.
Although he is based in Sydney, Vines’ music has been performed across the globe and described as “exquisite” (Gramophone), “riveting” (The New York Times), “compellingly original” (Boston Phoenix) and “full, extravagant and wild” (Sydney Morning Herald). Vines has been commissioned by groups such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Apex, Callithumpian Consort, Guerilla Opera, and Acacia Quartet. A selection of his works have been recorded for Navona Records, compiled under three albums: Hipster Zombies from Mars, Loose, Wet Perforated, and Torrid Nature Scenes.
Vines’ fun-filled yet thought-provoking new work is programmed alongside a performance of Frederic Chopin’s legendary Ballade No. 1 in G minor, a selection of Impromptus by Franz Schubert, and other works by both composers, exploring some of the most lyrical music in the piano repertoire.
Rob Hao performs this program at the Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room* on April 8, and at Tempo Rubato, Melbourne on April 20. Tickets available now!
*This concert at the Sydney Opera House is eligible for the NSW Government’s Discover NSW and Parents NSW vouchers.
Program
Nicholas Vines – Indie Ditties (2017)
-interval-
Chopin – Three Mazurkas Op. 63
Schubert – Erstarrung from Winterreise D911 (transcribed by Liszt)
Schubert – Du bist die Ruh (transcribed by Liszt)
Chopin – Impromptu no. 3 in G-flat major, Op. 51
Schubert – Impromptu in G-flat major, Op. 90 no. 3
Schubert – Impromptu in A-flat major, Op. 142 no. 2
Chopin – Ballade no. 1 in g minor, Op. 23
