Flautist Sarah Nielsen's upcoming solo performance at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery is an artistic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The performance titled 'Last Man Standing' by the co-founder and concertmaster of the Australian Wind Symphony comes at a time when the artists were unable to deliver their usual concert season.
"The orchestra had put on a solo performance for a small number of philanthropists and artistically depicted different composers' take on solitude and isolation in a one-hour program of music composed exclusively for solo flute. This performance is now touring and will be held in Goulburn this month," she said.
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"There are 11 pieces in this recital and each one draws on the composer's expression of solitude and isolation. Through art, we aim to soothe, commiserate, or just provide the soul with something it didn't know it was missing."
The title piece 'Last Man Standing' was written by British composer Kit Turnbull with an idea of "telling the story of the last person on Earth, from an emotional point of view".
The recital at the gallery will also include JS Bach's Partita in A Minor. Sarah further said that at the time it was written, Bach was employed as a composer at a court where there was no formal church music.
"It is a musical depiction of Bach having free rein when left alone, but also uses juxtaposed melody with the illusion of harmony, a prominent element of many works for solo instrument, and a musical representation of the self-care we humans need take when isolated, the 'main theme', and the 'supporting melody'," she added.
Danish composition 'Jealousy' Tango by Jacob Gade will also be a part of her upcoming performance at the gallery.
She feels that during COVID-19, many of us felt that our souls needed nourishment.
"Music and the arts generally bring that nourishment into our lives through beauty. Beauty helps us work through the problems and challenges that are an integral part of the life experience, and I encourage the general community to step out and re-engage, encourage and support artists because they need it as much as you do," she said.
Sarah Nielsen is a graduate of the Canberra School of Music and co-founder and concertmaster of the Australian Wind Symphony. She teaches chamber music at the ANU Open School of Music, was the music director of the John Agnew band for six years, and is studying to become a registered music therapist.
The performance will be held on Friday, March 12 at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery.
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