Ways of Listening

“Where words fail, music speaks.” ― Hans Christian Andersen

Music moves us in ways that can both elicit and evade linguistic interpretation. If classical music was a colour, what colour would it be? In the music of everyday life, what would you choose to record, and to keep?

Take in an evening of speech and sound that moves from synth-pop to classical, and incorporates poetry, projection, live music, discussion and prose as six artists trace the roots of their musical influences.

From songs passed down through generations to sing us to sleep, to being intimidated by the rock boys or drawing inspiration from the sounds that surround us every day – the influence of music on our creativity runs deep.

Featuring readings and performances by our three Melbourne Recital Centre Writers in Residence Kiara Lindsay, Caitlin McGregor and Xanthea O’Connor.

Hosted by jazz singer, cabaret artiste and gender transcendent diva Mama Alto, accompanied by electronic musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist James Gales and violinist and writers’ mentor Adalya Nash Hussein.

Presented in partnership with the Melbourne Recital Centre

“Writing about music should render sounds into sensation into words.” — read writers’ mentor and Ways of Listening artist Adalya Nash Hussein’s ‘Writing about Music – Chance Sonic Mediations‘ on the EWF Blog.