Understanding and subtly in eight works from “one of Australia’s most fearless musical ensembles.”

Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre
November 10, 2014

Decibel was recently described by ABC Classic FM presenter Julian Day as “one of Australia’s most fearless musical ensembles.” Indeed, not everyone is cut out for the unique challenges of performing music composed by the notoriously reclusive and mysterious Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988). An independently wealthy member of the Italian aristocracy, Scelsi was able to compose without financial constraint and enjoyed success in the 1920s and 30’s. He studied with Alban Berg and associates of Scriabin, but his writing took a momentous turn after a devastating mental breakdown in the late 1940s. Scelsi became increasingly fascinated by the properties of individual notes, to the point where, as Christopher Fox explained in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, “he would spend days repeatedly playing single notes on the piano, developing a new, intensely focussed mode of listening.”

The eight works performed by Decibel for their Inner Space programme all demonstrated a profound concern with subtleties of overtone and harmonic shading. This was explored in various ways,...