Dark with Excessive Bright

— A new generation in an American musical dynasty, Samuel Adams’ music has been described as ‘mesmerising’ (The New York Times) exploring the space between directness and implication, silence and resonance, and emotional aftermath. In a world premiere commissioned by Omega Ensemble, Adams delivers a striking work of light, shade and ever increasing intensity.

— Titled after a phrase from Milton's Paradise Lost, Missy Mazzoli's Double Bass concerto Dark with Excessive Bright is a surreal and evocative work. Loosely based in Baroque idioms, the music slips between techniques from across centuries, twisting a repeated musical statement from delicate simplicity to pandemonium beyond recognition.

Jaan Pallandi, solo double bass
David Rowden, clarinet
Veronique Serret, violin
Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba, violin
Neil Thompson, viola
Paul Stender, cello
Vatche Jambazian, piano

Presented by Sydney Festival.

Samuel Adams’ Lighthouse commissioned by Omega Ensemble and originally premiered in 2024.