EDIT: The last performance in the current season of this piece has now taken place. The reviews have been generally extremely positive: they are listed on the ACO website. Thank you to the incredible soloist, Maxime Bibeau, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra who truly are one of the world’s great ensembles.

A new work, Crime and Punishment has recently been completed. This 10 minute piece was commissioned by Barbara Blackman for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, with soloist, Maxime Bibeau. It will be performed in March across the country.

It has been an enormous pleasure to work with Maxime on what is a very virtuosic piece. It includes techniques from the electric bass world, including slap-pizz and dead-notes, combined with some extraordinary lyrical moments. Maxime is a wonderful player who has contributed enormously to the piece.

Below are the programme notes:

Much of contemporary media seems obsessed with crime and punishment. This particularly applies to dramatic action on TV, film and video games. In reality being a victim of such crime is never a pleasant experience, and society rightfully expects that the perpetrators of violent crimes are made to pay for their actions. We, the public, demand justice be delivered in one for or another.

In relating these concepts to this musical work. the solo double bass largely assumes the role of the criminal. This repeat offender demonstrates great virtuosity and skill within an often menacing environment. Yet it is capable of tenderness and beauty, even when surrounded by brutality. Even as a child it was loved by someone.

It is not my intention to glamorise criminal intent – in fact, quite the opposite. As will become quite apparent, perhaps the solo double bass part, with its extremely strenuous demands upon the soloist, is a form of punishment in itself. The string orchestra ‘chorus’ demands nothing less.