Decibel new music ensemble tours the UK as part of the UK/Australia Season 2021-22

 

­ ­ Decibel new music ensemble from left to right: Tristen Parr (cello), Louise Devenish (percussion), Aaron Wyatt (viola), Cat Hope (director), Lindsay Vickery (reeds). Photo by Edify Media ­ Dear Nat Decibel New Music Ensemble have been selected to participate in the UK/Australia Season 2021-22 - a landmark cultural exchange celebrating the diverse and innovative artist communities and cultural sectors of each nation.    A collaboration between the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Season spans theatre, film, visual arts, dance, design, architecture, music, literature, higher education and public engagement across 2021 and 2022.   As part of the season, Decibel new music will tour five concert programs across six venues in November, with highlights including appearances at the prestigious Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Café Oto in London.    The concert repertoire includes the ‘2 Minutes from Home’ program recently premiered in Australia featuring 20 x 2 minute graphic score works, music by Lionel Marchetti and Cat Hope, and animated notation programs featuring music by Australian and British composers.    Decibel will also partner with London chamber orchestra Ruthless Jabiru led by expat Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady, for a world premiere of a new piece by Cat Hope, “Never At Sea” who will be featured on electric bass. They will also hold workshops and seminars at universities during their visit.   This will be the first visit to Britain by the ensemble who have previously toured Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and around Australia.    “It's so exciting to be able to tour these programs to Britain on our first visit there,” says Decibel’s Artistic Director Cat Hope. “We look forward to not only showcasing our work, but exchanging ideas and learning about the British scene.”   Of note is also the breadth of programs. “The range of programs we are presenting on this tour really show the breadth of what we do,” says Hope. “The tour program features international commissions, work we have developed with Australian artists and with UK artists on arrival. I think it reflects our collaborative nature as a group."   ­

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­ Animated Notation program A selection of compositions by Australian and UK composers featuring the Decibel ScorePlayer app (developed by the ensemble, available in the Apple App store). The Music of Cat Hope A selection of works by Victorian composer Cat Hope, featuring the Decibel ScorePlayer app, and from the release ‘Cat Hope: Decibel’ (Ezz-Thetics Switzerland, CD, 2022) 2 Minutes from Home 21 x 2 minute compositional miniatures for the Decibel ScorePlayer app, presented on screen as films designed by Karl Ockelford. Commissions supported by the Australia Council. Lionel Marchetti 'Inland Lake' A major 40 minute composition performed by Decibel by this French composer, featured on an upcoming release by Australian label, Room 40.  ‘The Holy Presence of’ Collaboration with Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady and Ruthless Jabiru. Featuring a special ‘low end’ orchestra, with world premiere of a new work by Cat Hope, European premieres of West Australian composers Lindsay Vickery and Pedro Alvarez (WA), Kaija Saariaho conducted by Indigenous artist/Decibel member Aaron Wyatt, and further works by Tansy Davies and Julius Eastman. More info ­ ­ ­ ­

­ Decibel are a new music ensemble that focus on the integration of acoustic and electronic instruments in chamber music performance, founded in Western Australia in 2009. They are world leading interpreters of graphic notations and pioneer digital score formats for composition and performance. This includes the ongoing development of their successful Decibel ScorePlayer App for iPad, enabling coordinated performance of graphic notation. Whilst rooted in Western Art music tradition, Decibel aim to remove stylistic boundaries in their commissioning and performance approaches.    Decibelnewmusic.com