Sunday 7th December 2025, 2.30pm

Cheltenham Girls High School,

The Promenade, Cheltenham

Conductor: Joanna Drimatis

For tickets visit: https://thebeecroftorchestra.net.au/

This project has been supported by Australian Government via Music Australia, and APRA AMCOS Art Music Fund (in partnership with the Australian Music Centre and SOUNZ),

Photography by Lisa Alexander.

Program note:

In July 2022, I drove 1000km west from my home close to the easternmost edge of Australia to the tiny town of Quilpie in Channel Country.

I was struck by the space, the hugeness of vistas, the shimmering mirages on horizon, and the dotting of trees and fence lines that danced in the distance, and vibrant greens against red earth.  

This piece is inspired by my experience of this landscape. It is conceived as a series of sonic landscape paintings that depict various moods from storm clouds smothering the landscape, to the riotous wildflowers after rain, to the verdant green of budding plants sprouting out of red earth.

This version is composed for conductor Joanna Drimatis and Beecroft Orchestra, and is in 5 sections. 

1  Iridescent green dances across red earth

2  Gently blooming, a kaleidoscope of wildflowers turn to face the sun

3  Heavy clouds press the earth, stormbirds cry

4 Awaken dormant seeds and blanket me with colour (After the rains)

5 Horizon stretches far and wide

Movements 1, 2, 4 focus on plant life, growth, and cycles of emergence, beauty, liveliness and stillness/death with the changes of light, season and temperature. The first depicts tiny, vibrant green plants dotting the red earth, reaching for the sun, pursuing their cycle of growth, establishing roots. This opening movement hints at later ones, and ends with gentle contemplation of the sky.

The second – gently blooming – reworks a melody from my piece Desert Time for solo Pipa that’s inspired by lush beauty of bamboo silk repertoire, and the carolling of kurrawongs outside my window. This movement is the richest and depicts a riot of flowers blooming after the rain. I imagine this to be a sight of pure joy.  

Movements 3 and 5 are about the sky. The third depicts massive storm clouds rolling over the landscape and energised calls of birds. This version features bitey dissonant harmony and powerful repeated notes in an ecstasis of moody power that references many influences, heavy metal, Chinese drumming, Eastern European folk elements.

The fifth depicts the changing of a sunset or sunrise. It is characterised by a soft flow of changing colour and is a restful end of this work.

<p>The post Space Between Us with Beecroft Orchestra first appeared on Corrina Bonshek.</p>

In May 2025, I was in residence with Korvat Auki Ensemble in Helsinki Finland. Together we created Space Between Us evening of performances win the unique setting of Vapaan Taiteen Tila, a bomb shelter / exhibition space.

Performers were: Majella Clarke – Oboe / Producer, Niilo Junnikkala – Piano, Pilar Miralles – Flute / Producer, Iida-Maria Kuronen – Kantele Ariana Yekrangi – Percussion, Corrina Bonshek – Electronics / Lighting Design & Site Objects / Compositions/ Collaborative Direction.

The concert featured new arrangements of Heavy Clouds and Gently Blooming for quartet, improvised versions of Deep Blue Sky Pools, and and performance Horizon (video above). We had the opportunity to project Lisa Alexander Photography beautiful image of Channel Country entitle After the Rains.

This performance was assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

<p>The post Collaboration with Korvat Auki, Helsinki Finland first appeared on Corrina Bonshek.</p>

The gardens are described “serene escape from the bustling city, where you can wander along meandering pathways adorned with intricate pavilions, peaceful ponds, and lush flora. Each step reveals a new vista, a new moment of awe-inspiring beauty.”

Sunday 11 February at 12.30pm and 1.30pm
Peace Boat Pavillion
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Pier St Cnr of Harbour St
Darling Harbour

COST
$12 garden entry
The free program will be performed at 12.30pm and 1.30pm. 

NOTE: There are no seats for the event, but you can find plenty of places around the space to listen, or make a reservation for a table and banquet lunch in The Gardens tea room (garden entry price $8 for restaurant guests).

<p>The post The Silences Inside Me at the Chinese Garden of Friendship first appeared on Corrina Bonshek.</p>