Behind the music

Nick Batterham:

The soundtrack to the exhibition is a suite of three pieces of classical music featuring musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In response to Rone's concept of the abandoned function room with its two opposing ends being light and dark, the music features two separate ensembles that play off each other in a musical conversation of layered reflections and repetitions.

At the dark end of the room is the piano, augmented by wind and brass, while at the light end a string quartet plays. Melodies intertwine to form one larger ensemble before receding to their respective ends. The ensembles work both separately and together. At the light end of the room, the strings are mournful and sombre. Within the ensemble, each singular instrument is heard from a different seat at the dining table. The cello at one end, the violin at the other. The viola and bass fill the seats in between.

The suite of three pieces was written at the time of the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20 and reflects the sadness of these events. Prelude establishes the relationship between the solo piano at one end and the cello and viola at the other. Red Sun Sky is ominous and brooding: a ten-minute meditation on loss, conjuring the darkened skies, heavy with smoke and the deep crimson sun. As a very slow waltz, it alludes to a past when people danced in the now abandoned reception room. Dawn Chorus speaks of new beginnings, the resilience of nature and humanity. From the smallest signs of life, interwoven melodies grow to become a majestic fanfare. A sense of hope; a celebration of new life.

RONE in Geelong soundtrack

Prelude 2:23 mins

Red Sun Sky 9:54 mins

Dawn Chorus 5:37 mins

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