Voices At The End

This powerful programme by acclaimed NZ composer John Psathas, merges digital soundscapes and synchronised cinematic projections, bringing new depth to Michael Houstoun’s remarkable live performance on the piano.

Following the stunning world premiere at the 2021 Auckland Arts Festival, John Psathas has created a new Voices at the End (originally for six pianos) for a solo pianist, an epic cinematic audio soundtrack, and a brand-new full-length synchronised film that weaves in around the music. 

Voices at the End was inspired by the film Planetary by author and environmental activist Joanna Macy. 
 
In his latest work, Second-Hand Time, Psathas explores an entirely new format by combining the emotional power and excitement of virtuosic musical performance with a pre-recorded cinematic audio soundtrack (drawn from real and electronic worlds). He integrates these with synchronized projected text that delivers social commentary on current and crucial issues, such as runaway economic models and their impact on society, education, climate change, current life and culture, and the future prospects of the human race. 

Second-Hand Time draws from the documentary work of Adam Curtis, and the writings of Henry Giroux, Brad Evans, Svetlana Alexievich, and Noam Chomsky.

John Psathas will be giving a pre-concert talk before each performance.