27 August, 6.30pm
Australian National Academy of Music
210 Bank Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205
In his despairing Heiligenstadt Testament of 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven laments the loss of hearing he so famously suffered – “…how could I possibly admit such an infirmity in the one sense which should have been more perfect in me than in others…”. Brett Dean took this as the inspiration for his intense 12-viola work Testament (2002), which will fill South Melbourne Town Hall with visceral sounds and poignant recollections. This will follow a performance of Beethoven’s first Razumovsky quartet, heard anew via the enthralling music of renowned Hungarian composer, and mentor to Brett Dean, György Kurtág.
This project has been supported by the City of Port Phillip through the Cultural Development Fund.
This concert features Natalia Harvey and Alethea Coombe (violins), Alexina Hawkins (viola), Gemma Tomlinson (cello), Chiaroscuro (viola ensemble) and Dominic Harvey (conductor).
My interview with Brett Dean:
A great interview with Brett Dean by Andrew Aronowicz (Limelight Magazine), discussing his background and year as Composer-In-Residence at ANAM in 2014
The Heiligenstadt Testament (translated)
My teacher, William Coleman, speaking about his relationship with György Kurtág
Alexina Hawkins 