Above/Below
SONYA LIFSCHITZ, piano/voice/concept
CHRISTINE JOHNSTON, voice/musical saw/OHP/concept
MAX LIFSCHITZ, poetry
PROGRAM
GEORGE CRUMB – Makrokosmos, Book 1
P. I. TCHAIKOVSKY – The Seasons, op.37a
“Lifschitz performs the prepared piano, inside and out, with grand gestures, finely honed expertise, huge tonal sensitivity and a feeling of occasion.” – Adelaide Advertiser
The field shimmering with flowers,
the stars swirling in the heavens,
the song of the lark
fills the blue abyss.
– Apollon Maykov (1821–1897)
Ukrainian-Australian pianist Sonya Lifschitz is at the forefront of cross-disciplinary collaboration in Australia. Innovative and fiercely creative, Sonya re-contextualises the classical canon and pushes the boundaries of conventional concert practice.
Conceived as a reflection on the cyclical nature of life, 'Above / Below' pairs the poetic, lyrical vignettes of Tchaikovsky's The Seasons, Op. 37a (based on the twelve calendar months of the year) with the abstract mysticism of George Crumb's Makrokosmos, Book I (based on the twelve signs of the zodiac).
Joining Sonya is renowned performance artist Christine Johnston (known affectionately as 'Madame Lark'), whose uncanny ability to mimic Australian bird calls – along with her gift for narration – has seen her appear at festivals and concerts across the country and abroad. In this project, she plays the musical saw, imitates the song of the lark, and recites poetry as Sonya juxtaposes two widely divergent musical voices, allowing them to speak to each other in surprising and illuminating ways.
Above/Below has toured nationally and internationally at UKARIA Cultural Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre, Adelaide St. John Feast of Music Festival, Australian Digital Concert Hall, Bargemusic (New York, USA), Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada).
“Lifschitz performs the prepared piano, inside and out, with grand gestures, finely honed expertise, huge tonal sensitivity and a feeling of occasion.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“During their well over an hour’s relentlessly concentrated rapt presentation you could have heard a pin drop.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“Johnston is a vocal wizard whose broad sonic repertoire from whistles to birdcalls extended the more traditional musical saw sonorities into much deeper realms.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“Lifschitz captured this Romantic-era passion, in particular shining in June and November; both movements featured a comfortable sense of rubato (passionate, flexible timing) supported by great physical fluidity, capturing the atmosphere of each piece excellently.” – The Sydney Morning Herald
“Lifschitz performs the prepared piano, inside and out, with grand gestures, finely honed expertise, huge tonal sensitivity and a feeling of occasion.” – Adelaide Advertiser
The field shimmering with flowers,
the stars swirling in the heavens,
the song of the lark
fills the blue abyss.
– Apollon Maykov (1821–1897)
Ukrainian-Australian pianist Sonya Lifschitz is at the forefront of cross-disciplinary collaboration in Australia. Innovative and fiercely creative, Sonya re-contextualises the classical canon and pushes the boundaries of conventional concert practice.
Conceived as a reflection on the cyclical nature of life, 'Above / Below' pairs the poetic, lyrical vignettes of Tchaikovsky's The Seasons, Op. 37a (based on the twelve calendar months of the year) with the abstract mysticism of George Crumb's Makrokosmos, Book I (based on the twelve signs of the zodiac).
Joining Sonya is renowned performance artist Christine Johnston (known affectionately as 'Madame Lark'), whose uncanny ability to mimic Australian bird calls – along with her gift for narration – has seen her appear at festivals and concerts across the country and abroad. In this project, she plays the musical saw, imitates the song of the lark, and recites poetry as Sonya juxtaposes two widely divergent musical voices, allowing them to speak to each other in surprising and illuminating ways.
Above/Below has toured nationally and internationally at UKARIA Cultural Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre, Adelaide St. John Feast of Music Festival, Australian Digital Concert Hall, Bargemusic (New York, USA), Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada).
“Lifschitz performs the prepared piano, inside and out, with grand gestures, finely honed expertise, huge tonal sensitivity and a feeling of occasion.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“During their well over an hour’s relentlessly concentrated rapt presentation you could have heard a pin drop.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“Johnston is a vocal wizard whose broad sonic repertoire from whistles to birdcalls extended the more traditional musical saw sonorities into much deeper realms.” – Adelaide Advertiser
“Lifschitz captured this Romantic-era passion, in particular shining in June and November; both movements featured a comfortable sense of rubato (passionate, flexible timing) supported by great physical fluidity, capturing the atmosphere of each piece excellently.” – The Sydney Morning Herald
