Krakatoa Concert: Volcanic Cataclysm, Shockwaves & Sunsets

Based on the events of the very physical shockwaves embracing the eruption (and actually the complete explosion of the entire Island) of Krakatoa on 27th August in 1883, this new work Krakatoa - Volcanic Cataclysm, Shockwaves & Sunsets for solo violin in 5 movements describes the event through music, and the energy of shockwaves, volcanic ash and a huge Tsunami it sent out into the oceans and nearby lands, and for several years afterwards the red sunsets it caused all over the world from the volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

These sunsets have been recorded in paintings by famous painters such as William Ascroft in England and Edvard Munch in Norway and many others, documenting this volcanic event. So the sonata as much as with the science of seismology, vulnology and the stories of ships and seafarers also ends up with a deep connection to art, for it is in art in which humanity goes for sanctuary to restore themselves.

Seating is limited to people who really needs it (eg elderly and lesser-abled). Due to the unusual nature of the space the cocept it that this is a standing and moving around experience.

Rupert Guenther is a Perth-based Vienna-trained violinist-composer. His output of works since 2002 has seen over 35 albums and thousands of concerts premiering almost a thousand new works, entirely through improvisation, utilising tonal, free-tonal and soundscape modalities. He specialises in bespoke concerts of inspired new works and sonatas of his own breathtaking improvisations. Every concert takes audiences on an immersive wellbeing journey as much as a musical one, and each concert presents a new series of highly imaginative site-specific “spirit of place” works, drawing inspiration from thousands of years of human history, architecture, nature, significant events through time, landscape, science, astronomy, philosophy, paintings, poetry, geology, anthropology, ancient artefacts, the night skies, mystical knowledge and personal stories. He creates his music much the same as a painter paints their pictures with great consideration onto a blank canvas, and since 2003 has independently released over 35 albums of his evocative improvisations along these lines, including 5 albums of his sonatas and other collected works commissioned and recorded by Australia’s national broadcaster ABC Classic FM radio. He also produces many interesting projects beyond classical music each year.