Get ready to step into the future of sound this April as Ensemble Offspring kicks off its 30th birthday season with Lumen Machine, a mind-bending collision of cutting-edge technology and virtuosic musical performances. In a thrilling collaboration with London-based ‘cyborg pianist’ Zubin Kanga, two revolutionary chamber concertos will make their world premiere in Sydney and Newcastle.

This isn’t your typical classical concert. Lumen Machine is an explosive, high-tech extravaganza where instruments interact with light, motion, and even the body itself. Kanga, known for pushing the boundaries of piano performance, will wield an array of futuristic tools, including a microtonal keyboard, motion sensor ring, light control sensors, and an old school analogue synthesiser. Imagine a concerto where the soloist controls sound not just with their fingers, but with movement, light, and electronic wizardry.

“Kanga is an equally exciting pianist, effortlessly virtuosic and in complete command of this (quite literally) electrifying modern repertoire.” – Limelight

A Concert Like No other

The program promises an immersive auditory experience that crafts narratives of virtue and villainy, journeying over the ridges and valleys of a microtonal landscape with techno-social hallucination introspects, an innovation between classical technique and electronic innovation. 

Musicians will take the stage during the 70 minute show to showcase the power and exhilaration of music.

Hot Take by Tristan Coelho 

Casts Kanga as a digital-age antihero, his motion-sensor ring transforming him from a noble protagonist into a sinister villain. Think Black Mirror meets concert hall.

Dream Garden by Amanda Cole 

Harnesses the revolutionary Lumatone keyboard, expanding the tonal palette with an intricate 48-note scale. The result? A hypnotic, shape-shifting chaconne unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

New Work by Brigitta Muntendorf

Turns Kanga into a creature of pure light, using sensor technology to shape sound in real-time, conjuring a “monstrous techno-social hallucination.”

From the Machine by Zubin Kanga

Goes retro-futuristic, unleashing a rhythmic whirlwind of old-school synthesiser arpeggios to spin a vibrant, whirling dance.

And just when you think you’ve heard it all, Ensemble Offspring will hit the accelerator with Bumps Per Minute by Anna Meredith, an electrifying closer that’s been compared to the likes of “drinking several very strong cups of coffee in fast succession.”

Ensemble Offspring: Who Are They?

Ensemble Offspring, Australia’s trailblazing contemporary music group, is renowned for its fearless exploration of new musical territories and commitment to commissioning innovative works. 

Throughout its history, Ensemble Offspring has been committed to nurturing Australian composers and showcasing contemporary works that challenge and inspire. Lumen Machine is a testament to this mission, featuring compositions by artists that confront the traditional music space, forming a catalyst for the evolution of sound. 

By consistently embracing new ideas and technologies, Ensemble Offspring not only honors its rich legacy but also paves the way for the next generation of musicians and composers. Lumen Machine stands as a celebration of the ensemble’s journey and its unwavering commitment to innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music.

A Glimpse into the Future of Music

Lumen Machine isn’t just a concert, it’s a glimpse into what music can become when it embraces technology with open arms. It’s bold, it’s exhilarating, and it’s unlike anything else on the Australian stage. 

Whether you’re a contemporary music lover or simply curious about what happens when classical instruments meet the digital age, this is one event you will not want to miss.

Ready to experience the sound of tomorrow? Step into the Lumen Machine and hear the future unfold.

Who: Ensemble Offspring 

What: Lumen Machine 

When: Saturday 12 April 7:30pm, The Neilson ACO On The Pier (Pre Concert Talk at 6:45pm)

Sunday 13 April 3:30pm, Newcastle Conservatorium of Music

For more information and to find tickets click here