Speak Percussion
coming to Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2022
Speak Percussion has shaped the sound of 21st century Australian percussion music through the creation and presentation of ambitious arts projects. Internationally recognised as a leader in the fields of experimental and contemporary classical music, Speak is constantly seeking to redefine the potential of percussion.
Ranging from solo concerts to massed sound events, Speak Percussion’s “breathtakingly impressive” (The West Australian) work is presented throughout the world in concert halls, theatres, galleries and site-specific locations.
Speak Percussion has been responsible for over 130 commissions and premieres of new percussion works, contributing new 21st Century masterworks to the global percussion repertoire.
Speak Percussion has been responsible for over 130 commissions and premieres of new percussion works, contributing new 21st Century masterworks to the global percussion repertoire.
POLAR FORCE
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Imagine being on the Antarctic ice shelf, housed inside a temporary shelter where you are intimately observing sound research using the raw polar energies collected from outside.
Imagine being on the Antarctic ice shelf, housed inside a temporary shelter where you are intimately observing sound research using the raw polar energies collected from outside.
In an
investigation of extreme wind and ice, pristine Antarctic field recordings
combine with live industrial percussion to envelope the audience in a visceral
soundscape and performance environment.
New high fidelity field recordings including a 100 knot blizzard,sea ice and glaciers made in the Australian Antarctic Territory are augmented by custom built musical instruments made to manipulate pressurised air, water and ice.
New high fidelity field recordings including a 100 knot blizzard,sea ice and glaciers made in the Australian Antarctic Territory are augmented by custom built musical instruments made to manipulate pressurised air, water and ice.
Polar Force references climate change and global geopolitical tension including the exploration and exploitation of frontier territories. It is a sophisticated example of hyperrealism where recorded sound is choreographed with musical performance.
BEFORE NIGHTFALL
Before Nightfall is a series of new artistic encounters between Speak Percussion and invited guest artists. Each guest artist works with Speak artists intensively across one day, experimenting with a range of musical concepts. In the evening, these investigations culminate in an intimate live performance.
Before Nightfall is a series of new artistic encounters between Speak Percussion and invited guest artists. Each guest artist works with Speak artists intensively across one day, experimenting with a range of musical concepts. In the evening, these investigations culminate in an intimate live performance.
MARCH STATIC
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March Static
is a contemporary marching work for massed wind, drum and percussion players by
internationally acclaimed composer Thomas Meadowcroft (AU/DE), performed by an
ensemble of local student and volunteer players from across the community and
directed by new music luminaries Speak Percussion.
March Static
is a contemporary marching work for massed wind, drum and percussion players by
internationally acclaimed composer Thomas Meadowcroft (AU/DE), performed by an
ensemble of local student and volunteer players from across the community and
directed by new music luminaries Speak Percussion.
Ethereal
chords wash gently over the audience, interrupted by fragments of marching
percussion motifs.
The project reimagines the concept of a marching band, celebrating community and peace over representations of military might.
March Static is a site-specific work which can be performed indoors or outdoors, adapting to the unique architectural or environmental features of each performance location. Designed to activate a main street or site of community significance, March Static is a great festival work. Speak will work directly with the performers to create bespoke choreography, moving the performers around the audience or allowing the audience to move amongst the players to create unique listening experiences.
The project reimagines the concept of a marching band, celebrating community and peace over representations of military might.
March Static is a site-specific work which can be performed indoors or outdoors, adapting to the unique architectural or environmental features of each performance location. Designed to activate a main street or site of community significance, March Static is a great festival work. Speak will work directly with the performers to create bespoke choreography, moving the performers around the audience or allowing the audience to move amongst the players to create unique listening experiences.
Thomas Meadowcroft / Composer (Berlin)