Infinite Possibilities
I’m grateful for the many people involved in the commissioning and performing the new orchestral work Infinite Possibilities for Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Jessica Cottis and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
“Titled Infinite Possibilities, the concert opens with a CSO commission of the same name from Leah Curtis, who grew up in Canberra and works internationally out of Los Angeles.
A suite from Curtis’ score for To Rest in Peace featured in the CSO’s sold-out 2021 film music special. “Writing Infinite Possibilities has extended me into new sound worlds,” writes Curtis in the program note for her new piece. “Exploring movement, embodiment and what might emerge from the silence…imagining the distinctive virtuosity of each member of the orchestra.”
“With Leah’s piece we have these subtle, shimmering shifts that move through the orchestra. She’s interested in this idea of what Stravinsky and Sibelius do, which is taking sounds and ideas and translating that into music. So she’ll be exploring sound worlds and how her piece of music can bring out the quality of our orchestral players.
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“Curtis creates music that sits equally in the head, the heart and the gut. With a hushed beginning from the strings, then solo violin from concertmaster Kirsten Williams expounded a delicate melody that was soon taken up by the oboe and then flute. The piece built, cinematic in scope, full of tension until a playful tune broke through.
A sensitive and searching work, the CSO equally matched the quality of this expressive composition. Fitting many visual images sad and joyful, this graceful piece ended where it began in a hushed stillness.”
“I think audiences will find this an exhilarating work and a wonderful concert opener.”