Tabula Rasa | Richard Tognetti | Australian Chamber Orchestra

ACO StudioCasts are beautifully shot, cinematic films that capture the musical breadth and daring virtuosity for which the ACO is renowned around the world. Brought to life on screen by director Matisse Ruby, with 5.1 surround sound, you’ll see and hear the ACO like never before. Directed by Matisse Ruby and filmed at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, this spectacular concert film features Artistic Director Richard Tognetti leading the ACO through performances of Arvo Pärt's Tabula Rasa and Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, integrated with imagery and video projections by cinematographer Jon Frank and Beizj Studio. Estonian Arvo Pärt is one of the most performed living composers, and his extraordinary music is revered by musicians and non-musicians alike around the world. Written while his Estonian homeland was under Soviet control, Tabula Rasa strives to break free and start afresh through spirituality and independence. Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony is a lament for victims of fascism and war, but also an act of self-reflection as it moves from elegy to brutal force into haunting acceptance. “Tabula Rasa is such a beloved piece of music,” said Ruby, on making the film. “We wanted to create a multi-sensory film which encapsulated the piece’s meditative and trance-like moments – even in the turbulence, there is this notion of coming back to stillness and tranquillity – through integrating the music with otherworldly projections created by Beizj Studio and Jon Frank.” ARTISTS Richard Tognetti Director & Violin Satu Vänskä Violin Australian Chamber Orchestra FILM CREDITS Matisse Ruby – Director Antonia Farrugia – Executive Producer Drew English – Director of Photography Tyson Perkins – Director of Photography Phoenix Chisholm, – Editor Beizj Studio, Matthew Adey, Andre Vanderwert with Sam Whiteside – Visual Content and Creation Jon Frank – Additional Footage Bernard Rofe – Recording Producer and Editor PROGRAM 00:00 – ARVO PÄRT Tabula Rasa 29:09 – SHOSTAKOVICH (arr. Barshai) Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op.110a