John McCaughey: Musical Director

 

Tom Johnson’s Rational Melodies (1982)

With new responses (2022) from composers

Warren Burt, Andrew Byrne, David Chesworth,
Wally Gunn, Kate Neal, Catherine Schieve

Celebrating the rational in two performance events

Curated by Andrew Byrne

A milestone of the American experimental-minimalist tradition, Tom Johnson’s Rational Melodies receives its first Australian performance in arrangements for a glittering mix of keyboards and more.

Also featured are works by Australian experimental-minimalist composers who come together for the first time to offer individual reactions to Tom Johnson's landmark piece.

Kim Bastin, Peter Dumsday, Joy Lee, Jennifer Yu keyboards
Alexander Meagher percussion
Vahideh Esa qanun

Instruments: celeste, clavichord, harmonium, harpsichord, melodica, organetto (portative organ), piano, positiv organ, qanun (zither), regal, thumb-piano kalimba, toy piano, with untuned percussion & tabla

 

GATHERING AT THE GRAINGER

duos in motion, with rational words

Saturday 20 August, 5 pm (limited tickets)
The Grainger Museum
Gate 13, The University of Melbourne
Royal Parade, Parkville

BOOKINGS

Solo and duo performances occupy multiple discrete spaces within the corridors and rooms of the unique Grainger Museum on Royal Parade, temple of Australian experimentalism. With performances of a number of Rational Melodies and commentary by Andrew Byrne, the ‘concert in motion’ is an introduction to Johnson’s landmark work.

 

CONCERT AT CAN

full program of arrangements & new works

Saturday 27 August, 7 pm
Church of All Nations
180 Palmerston Street
Carlton

BOOKINGS

The complete programme of Johnson’s Rational Melodies with six newly commissioned works performed by seven musicians on the full collection of keyboard and percussion instruments.

 

Introduction to Rational Melodies

Curator's Statement

Composer biographies

   

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