Having established an admirable reputation since their formation in 2015, Rubiks Collective is attracting an enthusiastic and growing audience for their high quality performances of contemporary compositions, many which include Australian or world premiere performances, unconventional and challenging soundscapes, and always, a balanced relationship between acoustic, technological and audio visual sound sources. With the audience seated in the round in the Primrose Potter Salon, and musicians Tamara Kohler (flutes) Gemma Tomlinson (cello) Jacob Abela (piano, keyboard) and Kaylie Melville (drum kit, percussion) centrally placed with a fine spread of instrumental sound sources, a close connection with the audience was guaranteed. Further anticipation for this event was also enhanced by the praiseworthy annual commission by Rubiks, for a project by an Australian female or gender nonconforming composer – the Pythia Prize – with the 2018 winner, Christine McCombe, being present for her work Waiting, which opened the program.

Rubiks Collective

Almost like a haiku poem, the flowing text – “Beneath the noise – Quiet voices unheard – Waiting For the Pause” – signposted a two-part structure for this programmatic soundscape. Its opening was full of gusto, as the quartet pushed their instruments into a...