BY ARCKO SYMPHONIC ENSEMBLE
“Til we meet again, if not in this world, in the next.”
This is how a young soldier, a Bendigo boy, ends his letter to his mum.
Six months later, Private Leslie Robins was killed in action on the Western Front in World War I.
And now, decades on, his letter inspired great-great-nephew Andrew Harrison to compose an extraordinary work, If Not in This World, which the Arcko Symphonic Ensemble will premiere at two major concerts of the same name in Bendigo and Melbourne.
“This work is very powerful, and it’s made more poignant by the family connection of the subject and composer,” Arcko founder and conductor Timothy Phillips says.
At the same concert, Bendigo-based composer Rohan Phillips’ new work Meditations on der Krieg will be performed. It’s inspired by a series of etchings by German artist Otto Dix. These artworks were based on the diary sketches Dix made as he fought on the Western Front.
“The etchings were made by someone who experienced the horrors of trench warfare first-hand,” Timothy says.
“We are celebrating the anniversary, but everyone suffered. Both losers and the winners suffer in war, and that’s why we were keen to have something from both sides of the conflict.”
As well as the two new works, the concerts feature two solo piano pieces. The Drumfire Was Incessant (also by Andrew Harrison) depicts the Battle of Pozieres. Menin Gate by revered composer Helen Gifford is a musical interpretation of Longstaff’s eerie painting Menin Gate at Midnight.
These two emotionally charged concerts will be performed by the acclaimed Arcko Symphonic Ensemble on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.
“So many Australians have a personal connection to this conflict and the ones that followed. Remembering is about honouring the suffering of everyone involved, and hoping that remembering will help foster peace in the future.”
Arcko, featuring 25 virtuoso Melbourne musicians, has forged a reputation for delivering original, memorable and creative concerts presenting new Australian music.
Arcko Symphonic Ensemble Presents concerts in Bendigo and Melbourne to commemorate Armistice Day and the end of WW1. St Paul’s Cathedral, 7.30pm November 10 in Bendigo; and Church of All Nations, 7pm November 11 in Carlton. Bookings online or cash sales at the door.
Images supplied. Featured image by Graham Farr.
