Tabula Rasa

This multi-sensory concert film from the Australian Chamber Orchestra captures the dangerous beauty of a tempestuous sea. Like a stormy ocean, Arvo Pärt's philosophical "Tabula Rasa" — meaning "clean slate" — shifts dramatically between gentle lulls and crashing waves of sound. Written while Pärt's native Estonia was under Soviet control, the piece is a profound exploration of spirituality and independence. It features the composer's signature tintinnabuli style, where one voice follows the notes of a central triad while the other moves stepwise, creating a meditative and harmonious sound reminiscent of medieval chant. Similarly, Shostakovich's powerful chamber symphony was defiantly dedicated "to the victims of fascism and the war," a supposed reference to both the atrocities of World War II and the composer's thinly veiled criticism of the Soviet regime. Together, these pieces capture a precarious beauty, like the steady defiance of a ship refusing to capsize. Filmed at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, this spectacular music film features dramatic video projections of choppy seas captured by renowned cinematographer Jon Frank and Beizj Studio, providing a stunning backdrop for the ACO players. This isn't your average chamber concert. Program: Tabula Rasa - Arvo Pärt Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op.110a - Dmitri Shostakovich