The Water Concerto @ the Holmes à Court Gallery

Both visually and sonically stunning, The Water Concerto by Tan Dun is an atmospheric evocation of the sounds of rural China, where the composer grew up. From the gentle rhythms of women washing laundry in the river to the excited splashes of children playing in the water, this is a piece that immerses audiences in the sounds of distant shores.

The soloist manipulates water through the use of instruments which have been specifically designed for this piece, and are accompanied by a small chamber ensemble of strings, clarinet and piano. Moments of the performance also respond to the surrounding Perth Festival exhibition, Strangers on the Shore, which explores the encounters between indigenous populations and European and Asian shipwreck survivors on the West Coast of Australia.

Performed and designed by Thea Rossen and Jared Yapp of the Ad Lib Collective in collaboration with the Holmes à Court Gallery @ no.10., on 25th and 26th February 2022.

“Dun’s sound-world was brought to life by Perth’s best musicians. Conducted by Kate Milligan and joined by Ashley Smith (clarinet & bass clarinet), Liam Wooding (piano), Sasha McCulloch (cello) and Libby Browning (double bass), it was exciting to witness a world-class production presented by local musicians. Soloist, Thea Rossen, was star of the show; I could have easily watched her weave her magic all night! Mesmerising throughout, her artistry and amazing theatrical gestures evoked an other-worldly experience. Rossen’s manipulation of the organic sound of water created the most incredible palette of sounds - whether the water was popping, plopping, dripping or swishing. My attention was captured and my imagination ran wild!”

Elise Chong - Cult Classical