Special Projects

Each season suddenlyLISTEN initiates special projects that fall outside our regular concerts, but still celebrate suddenlyLISTEN’s mandate to stretch the boundaries of music and music creation; and to encourage both musicians and non-musicians to listen to, explore, and participate in the making of new and experimental music.

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Special projects in 2012/13 will include the premiere of a new performance piece and a new collaboration:

The Cello of Mr. O

The Cello of Mr. O is a first foray into music-driven theatrical performance, and sL’s first project aimed specifically at families and the young. The Cello of Mr O, by American children’s author Jane Cutler, is a story built on themes that are timeless and increasingly relevant. The story touches on fear, wartime, community and the power of music to feed the soul and lift suffering. For over seven years sL has been working on developing a telling of this story, and will finally premiere the work on October 27th 2012. This piece will be a live performance for cello with narration and visuals that will bring the story to life. Halifax composer Steven Naylor (along with J.S. Bach) has composed the score, Norman Adams is playing the cello, Karen Bassett tells us the story, Lukas Pearse is providing the visuals and Theo Pitsiavas is directing. This new work will premiere at 2 and 8pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Bus Stop Theatre, Halifax. Tickets are available at the door, and are $20 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids under 12 or so, and $35 for families of 4 or more. For more information check our Facebook event.

The Hourglass Ensemble

The Hourglass Ensemble is a new ensemble of some old friends of suddenlyLISTEN! The ensemble is made up of British composer/conductor Peter Weigold, bass clarinetist/composer Jeff Reilly, cellist Norman Adams, and other super-exciting artists, to be confirmed. The Hourglass Ensemble performs using a combination of conduction, improvisation and one page scores. The Ensemble will premiere at the Open Waters Festival in January 2013, at The Sir James Dunn Theatre, Halifax. Stay tuned for more details.