Shed Series - Symmetries

Hamish McKeich, Conductor.

Brahms orch. Brahms, Hungarian Dances No. 1 & 3
Lissa Meridan, Tuning the head of a pin
Russel Peck, Drastic Measures II. Allegro
WA Mozart, Divertimento No. 11, Rondo
Birtwistle, Bach Measures
John Adams, Fearful Symmetries

Symmetries is an exhilarating mix of high energy works, all tied together by rhythm, phrase, structure and mathematics.

Brahms’ instantly recognisable Hungarian Dances and Rondo from Divertimento are short, perfectly structured pieces and irresistible to the ear.

New Zealand composer Lissa Meridan’s Tuning the head of a pin is a vibrant and rhythmic work, while British composer Harrison Birtwistle’s Bach Measures are his acclaimed arrangements of eight of Bach’s Chorale Preludes. Critics have likened this mesmerising work to eight miniature plays for an orchestra, as Birtwistle assigns the musicians, like actors, to different roles in each piece.

Adams’ Fearful Symmetries premiered in 1988 after his hit opera Nixon in China. Composed of “almost maddeningly symmetrical” four and eight-bar phrases, Adams sees it as closely allied to pop and minimalist rock. It’s also his most choreographed work, used by more than a dozen dance companies, including the Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet.