When Composers Collide: Bach Off, Brahms!<\/p>\n
The Staves are drawn for this year\u2019s Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) and<\/p>\n
Artistic Director Jack Liebeck is bringing some of classical music\u2019s biggest beefs to the stage!<\/p>\n
From the polite applause of concert halls to passive-aggressive piano sonatas and seriously shady letters, classical music has had its fair share of beef. Forget Kanye vs. Taylor Swift \u2013 the OGs of musical rivalry wore waistcoats, carried quills, and composed sonatas with side-eye.<\/p>\n
This July, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville-Gurambilbarra will bring them all together in one gloriously dramatic, harmony-breaking showdown:\u00a0Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!<\/p>\n
We all know the Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles and Oasis vs. Blur. But how about\u00a0Tchaikovsky\u00a0calling\u00a0Brahms\u00a0a \u201cconceited mediocrity\u201d? Or Brahms famously dozing off during\u00a0Liszt\u2019s\u00a0epic sonata? The egos were enormous, the talent even more so.<\/p>\n
Tchaikovsky vs. Brahms vs. Liszt<\/p>\n
One hated the other’s symphonies. The other probably didn\u2019t notice. Tchaikovsky once said of Brahms:\u00a0“It angers me that this conceited mediocrity is regarded as a genius.”\u00a0Brahms once fell asleep during one of Liszt\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n
Debussy vs. Ravel<\/p>\n
Both French, both brilliant, both accused of copying each other. Critics often mistook their work, much to their mutual frustration. Ravel once said, \u201cDebussy’s music is a beautiful sunset mistaken for dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mozart vs. Salieri<\/p>\n
Fuelled by legend and Hollywood, the drama between these two has sparked centuries of speculation.<\/p>\n
Brahms vs. Wagner<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t just about music\u2014it was a philosophical war and they threw daggers\u2026 through symphonies.<\/p>\n
To modern day – Philip Glass vs. Steve Reich<\/p>\n
Minimalist maestros, former classmates, then… the silent treatment for 40 years.In a true story: they once ran a furniture-moving company together! Their cold war ended in 2012 with a handshake and a performance.<\/p>\n
AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck says, bring the duels on! \u201cDuelling Composers: Staves Drawn!\u00a0is AFCM\u2019s mischievous musical mash-up of clashing egos and colliding styles. It\u2019s fun, and surprisingly relevant. Because whether it\u2019s 1785 or 2025, musicians just can\u2019t resist a little drama. Don\u2019t miss this rare chance to enjoy centuries of sass, spite, and symphonies\u2014all played with passion and precision by the incredible artistic flying in from all around the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfbb\u00a0WHAT:\u00a0Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn\ud83c\udfbb\u00a0WHEN: Wednesday 30 July, 7.30pm\ud83c\udfbb\u00a0WHERE: Townsville Civic Theatre
\ud83c\udfbb\u00a0WHY: Because musical feuds are timeless, delicious \u2013 and strangely inspiring.<\/p>\n
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Australian Festival of Chamber Music<\/p>\n
25 July \u2013 2 August<\/p>\n