Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Queensland Symphony Orchestra joins forces with poet Luka Lesson, composer Heather Shannon (The Jezabels), composer Gordon Hamilton and conductor Sarah-Grace Williams for an evening of exhilarating new music for chamber orchestra.

Australian poet of Greek heritage, Luka Lesson applies his unique blend of performance poetry and lyricism; dissecting the legacy and effect left by Major General Lachlan Macquarie on the Australian communities, in a collaboration with composer Gordon Hamilton, who is co-creator of several previous hit shows for Queensland Symphony Orchestra with beatboxer Tom Thum and producer Sampology.

Next up is a work by classically-trained rock star composer Heather Shannon, titled Study in Morbid Fragments, which explores the struggle between the truths and falsehoods told by those in power. Alongside her ARIA award-winning work with The Jezabels, Heather Shannon has composed film music, orchestral works and chamber music. This is her first collaboration with Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Closing the show is American composer John Adams’ contemporary classic Chamber Symphony, written way back in 1992. Inspired by Schoenberg’s work of the same name and the hyperactive music of old school 1950s children’s cartoons, John Adams’ music will send you home on a high!

"Luka is a genuine artist of high quality whose poetry is powerful and poignant. I salute his prophetic witness!" - Dr Cornel West

* Heather Shannon has composed Study in Morbid Fragments, but will not be performing with Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams
Poet Luka Lesson
Composer Heather Shannon
Composer Gordon Hamilton

Program

Hamilton Macquarie - World Premiere
Performed by Luka Lesson
Shannon Study in the Morbid Fragments - World Premiere
Adams Chamber Symphony

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (07) 3833 5044 or by email to bookings@qso.com.au

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Luka Lesson
• Performer Queensland Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams