Octandre Ensemble

Christian Mason Shadowy fish (Hommage á Schubert)
Nicola LeFanu Night Song with Frogs
David Lumsdaine Blue Upon Blue
Schubert Piano Quintet in A, D. 667 (‘The Trout’)

Of Frogs and Fish; Shadows and Schubert

Grawemeyer Award-winning York alumnus Christian Mason returns with his critically acclaimed Octandre Ensemble in a programme celebrating nature, friendship and song, without a (human) vocalist in sight! From the distant hills of Australia, Blue Upon Blue, a solo cellist sings David Lumsdaine’s song of home, while Lumsdaine’s own recordings of frogs from the Darling River form the basis of Nicola LeFanu’s harpsichord nocturne. A one-time student of LeFanu, Mason looks deeper into the river with the UK premiere of Shadowy fish – all shimmering surfaces and hidden depths – setting a Pablo Neruda poem for an imaginary voice ‘somewhere behind (or beyond) the music’. Schubert’s evergreen ‘Trout’ Quintet is the source from which this all flows and is sure to bring the evening to a memorable conclusion.