Commissioned by Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the performance celebrates one of the world’s most prolific contemporary composers.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra will join forces with Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto to give the first-ever performance of New York composer Nico Muhly’s highly-anticipated new violin concerto, Shrink.
In a special one night only appearance, Kuusisto and the ACO Collective will tackle an exciting program including Missy Mazzoli’s You Know Me From Here, Steve Reich’s Duet and Andrea Tarrodi’s Birds of Paradise, before unveiling the centrepiece: Muhly’s Shrink.
Straddling various genres and having collaborated with the likes of Björk, Bryce Dessner and Sufjan Stevens, Muhly is a visionary, to say the least. His work is set to shine in this December performance, which will feature an ensemble of Australia’s most talented emerging and established musicians, led by Kuusisto.
“Nico is remarkable,” says Kuusisto. “Ever since our first collaboration together, several years ago now, we made a pact to keep working together, and the latest fruit from that is this new concerto.
“It’s rare for a composer to be completely at home arranging folk songs, writing operas, writing film scores, writing violin concertos… it’s very inspiring to witness. He’s also very in-demand so we’re extremely fortunate that he was available to write this piece that will be premiered here in Australia.”
Muhly will also make an appearance for a pre-show conversation, as well as joining Kussisto on the piano following the concert for a special duet in what is set to be a truly unparalleled event.
It’s happening on Wednesday December 4 at Melbourne Recital Centre. Find more information and tickets here.
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