MONOCHROMATIC

Phoenix has collected three of the most remarkable pianos on the planet, and in MONOCHROMATIC visionary artists will impart unique performances upon each - their dexterous fingers probing the infinite shades between the colour of ivory and the colour of night.  

As the first of Phoenix's Instrument Series, MONOCHROMATIC will delve into the unexpected. Pianists from the classical, jazz, and experimental spheres will explore bold performances of contemporary works and reinvigorated classics.

Love-Death Music / Sonya Lifschitz
Dream Images, Love-Death Music, Gemini / By George Crumb

Q:

What emotions does ‘Love-Death Music, Gemini’ arouse in you?

A:

For me, this music is very much about transcendence, about rapture, about otherworldliness. It's about suspension of time. There's something cosmic about it. And at the same time there's melancholy and there's nostalgia. So it's very much that juxtaposition between the heavenly and the earthly.

Q:

Describe ‘Love-Death Music, Gemini’ in colour.

A:

Magenta but magenta with a lot of swirl that captures the cosmic and heavenly, as well as lilac and violet. The incredible lighting designer managed to translate exactly what was in my imagination to what we actually had in reality, which is very rare.

Q:

How was your performance experience at Phoenix?

A:

The Phoenix is probably one of the most unique spaces I've ever performed in. It's an extraordinary space. It's amazing for Sydney to have a performance venue like this, where music can be presented in very new and unique and fresh ways. That gives the audience an opportunity to engage with music in unique and fresh and unusual ways. And for a performer it's just such a unique opportunity to perform in a space that was designed to be almost an artwork itself. So you feel like you're part of this larger art piece or art installation. So, incredible opportunity and a very unique space. I'm very grateful to be a part of this.