Eighth Blackbird and I after out first rehearsal. Check out that trashy cymbal stack in the foreground!
The inimitable Eighth Blackbird gave the world premiere of my Lobster Tales and Turtle Soup on Monday night. Their Australian tour with Musica Viva kicked off in Perth, as part of the Perth International Arts Festival - the first of a string of dates across the country. The program includes Muhly's Doublespeak, Dessner's Murder Ballades, Hearne's By-By Huey and Andres' Checkered Shade. Lobster Tales was commissioned for Musica Viva with the support of Geoff Stearn and the Hildegard Project.
Some words (and hand actions) from me about the story behind Lobster Tales and Turtle Soup:
Looking as though I'm about to perform an impromptu 'Lobster Quadrille' after the premiere!
And some words about Eighth Blackbird's Perth show: