Strung Out - Jonathan Ng

Newly returned from a national tour with the Cat Empire, Brisbane-based Jonathan Ng brings his violin, a piano and a diverse range of music from the late 20^th Century to the turbine platform. Featuring works by Philip Glass, John Adams, Frederic Rzweski and Arvo Pärt, this concert will challenge, provoke and inspire the audience.

More about Strung Out:

Philip Glass’s Strung Out relates both to the idea of stringing a violin and the expression “at the end of one’s tether”. Coincidentally this phrase also has drug-related implications.

Relaxed Groove, Meditative and 40% Swing are the three movements of John Adams’ Road Movies. Scored for violin and piano, Jonathan performs violin with his own pre-recorded piano accompaniment.

Based on Oscar Wilde’s prison letters to his lover, De Profundis by Frederic Rzewski explores the life of an artist and challenges the performer to new heights - while playing, the pianist recites text, sings, hums, whistles and uses his body as a percussion instrument. ‘People point to Reading Goal and say, “That is where the artistic life leads a man.” Well, it might lead to worse places.’ - Oscar Wilde

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel is constructed from the most basic elements producing a meditative effect of innocence to end the program.