Following his sold out and critically acclaimed performance in 2010, Rhian Sheehan presents this opulent, conceptual masterpiece in its full multifaceted glory for the very first time on 28 May at Auckland's Mercury Theatre.
A stunning audio and visual performance, Standing In Silence sees 15 contemporary, classical and electronic New Zealand musicians perform live alongside a filmic backdrop of moving images that were shot all over the world by Gareth Moon, specifically for the Standing In Silence show. The combined effect of this is one of surreal beauty, isolation & innocence.
The breath-taking, texturally rich performance will feature a selection of talented musicians including Sheehan’s key collaborator, Jeff Boyle (Jakob), Steve Bremner (NZSO, Strike), Raashi Malik (Rhombus), Andy Hummel (The Woolshed Sessions), Pete Hill (The Woolshed Sessions), Jane Pierard, The SIS String Quintet & special guests.
Inspired by a photo he took in India of a lone man standing on a hill amongst pollution, Rhian Sheehan based Standing In Silence around the question: “Is it possible to be surrounded by a mass of humanity, a bustling sea of lives, and still stand in silence?”
Sheehan’s proposition extends visually into emotive, original photographic and moving images, which are interwoven throughout the performance, portraying the lives and environments of individual people living in megacities throughout Asia using state of the art projection techniques by Nektar films.
The debut performance was described as “amazing, people were stunned to silence, moved by the depth of emotion in the music - and the fact that something world class was being presented to a lucky few.” - The Dominion Post
“The show is all about reflection and contemplation. I would describe Standing In Silence as drifting through some future megatropolis city through the eyes and innocence of a child.” – Rhian Sheehan
The music encapsulates Rhian Sheehan’s original instrumental compositions, which incorporates sonic experiments with the sounds of found objects not usually heard in music. Such objects include wine glasses, bowed & plucked piano strings, tailor made music boxes, tongue drums, body percussion, the sound of bustling crowds and children at play.
Standing In Silence, Rhian Sheehan’s fourth album was released in 2009 as a growing project, which challenges the form of electronic music by taking a more filmic and ethereally esoteric approach with an emphasis on communicating current global and cultural issues through music and imagery.
