Backbone Bass
Dive into the sonic deep end for Arafura Music Collective’s finale performance of 2022, The Deep End – It’s All About the Bass. Set in the acoustic location of the NT Supreme Court, the chamber music program highlights the lyrical, flexible and harmonic qualities of instruments often relegated to the background.
By Kate Conway
If a piece of music were a person, the bassline would be the backbone or the heartbeat. Without it, none of the other instruments sound like they’re in time, and the deep, grounding rhythm provided by the bass section is essential to any composition, no matter the genre.
“Often people don’t actually realise how important the bass is. It adds depth of sound and tone, and makes it feel substantial,” says Arafura Music Collective Creative Director, Claire Kilgariff.
As well as bringing the bassline front and centre, the concert highlights the deep pool of talented bass musicians in the Territory, joining forces to present works from a wide range of composers including Pablo Casals, Ian Grandage and Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Written specifically for instruments including bassoon, cello, tuba, bass flute, bass clarinet and didgeridoo, Kilgarrif says the pieces showcase instruments audiences don’t always get to hear from.
“Arafura likes to bring music to our incredibly devoted audience that is really beautiful, but also different and interesting. When you approach music from this [bass] perspective, you come up with the most fascinating repertoire,” she says.
The perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, relax and settle in for a joyous celebration of instruments that are the heart, soul and rhythm of music.
The Deep End – It’s All About the Bass
WHEN SUN 20 NOV | 5PM
AT NT SUPREME COURT FOYER
COST $10-$38
INFO facebook.com/arafuramusiccollective
Photos: Paz Tassone
