Simulacra by definition refers to a representation or likeness – an intriguing theme for Intercurrent’s Tuesday night concert – part of Tura New Music’s Scale Variable series – which explores musical doubles, echoes and shadows. Intercurrent formed in 2016 and their vitality, unique instrumentation and enthusiastic commissioning of composers has already set them apart in Australian chamber music practice. The group comprises Lachlan Skipworth, co-founder and artistic director, Louise Devenish, percussion, Ashley Smith, clarinets and Emily Green-Armytage, piano.

^{Simulacra By Intercurrent. Photograph © Bohdan Warchomji}

Green-Armytage and Devenish opened the programme with a breathtaking performance of American composer Hannah Lash’s C. Two repetitive melodies duelled on piano and vibraphone with patterns of notes grouped in threes, fours or fives hammered up against each other in parallel motion. For a few brief bars in the centre of the work the parts aligned before the phase shifted again in a strange dance of tugging unity. It was an astounding display of fierce independence married with precise synchronisation.

This was followed by an equally impressive bass clarinet solo as Smith relished the challenge laid down by WA composer Chris Tonkin. Entr’acte explored extremes of pitch,...