Poster images and design by Jen Pomphrey
Photo by Marina Bonofiglio
Photo by Marina Bonofiglio
About:
The Looping Glass is a creative project exploring the sound worlds that are produced with a solo violin and live electronic looping.
In early 2014, Helen started experimenting with a loop station and her violin and after grasping the basics had soon begun looking for repertoire to play. Discovering Ade Vincent's fantastic piece "The Clockwork Owls" (originally written for Sarah Curro), Helen decided to engage other composers to write for violin and loop station. The result was "Through the Looping Glass", a performance of three completely new works (by Grace Huie Robbins, Max Perryment and Charles MacInnes) as well as "The Clockwork Owls", followed by Q+A sessions for the audience to learn more about the project and the music.
Inspired by the incredible worlds of sound these new pieces created, Helen decided to take the project further and see how the four completely separate works could be transformed into a single sonic journey. Working once again with Charles MacInnes, a second pedal board was added as well as computer looping software Ableton Live. Months of creating, developing, reworking and experimenting (and the consumption of vast amounts of tea) resulted in "Lost in the Looping Glass", which premiered in Melbourne to fantastic reviews and audience response and went on to critically acclaimed performances in both Perth and Wellington, NZ.
The future of The Looping Glass is bright. Helen will continue to create new music for violin and live electronic looping and is always happy to hear from potential collaborators - composers, musicians, venues, artists.... Please feel free to get in touch.
In early 2014, Helen started experimenting with a loop station and her violin and after grasping the basics had soon begun looking for repertoire to play. Discovering Ade Vincent's fantastic piece "The Clockwork Owls" (originally written for Sarah Curro), Helen decided to engage other composers to write for violin and loop station. The result was "Through the Looping Glass", a performance of three completely new works (by Grace Huie Robbins, Max Perryment and Charles MacInnes) as well as "The Clockwork Owls", followed by Q+A sessions for the audience to learn more about the project and the music.
Inspired by the incredible worlds of sound these new pieces created, Helen decided to take the project further and see how the four completely separate works could be transformed into a single sonic journey. Working once again with Charles MacInnes, a second pedal board was added as well as computer looping software Ableton Live. Months of creating, developing, reworking and experimenting (and the consumption of vast amounts of tea) resulted in "Lost in the Looping Glass", which premiered in Melbourne to fantastic reviews and audience response and went on to critically acclaimed performances in both Perth and Wellington, NZ.
The future of The Looping Glass is bright. Helen will continue to create new music for violin and live electronic looping and is always happy to hear from potential collaborators - composers, musicians, venues, artists.... Please feel free to get in touch.
Show Photos:
Reviews:
On Lost in the Looping Glass...
“Lost in the Looping Glass takes the notion of a solo violin recital and flips it on its head... a thrilling re-imagining of sonic capabilities of the violin that makes for an enrapturing performance.” - Matthew Tomich, Buzzcuts, Melbourne Fringe 2015
“She very intimately brings you into her world, where you can happily let yourself go to the labyrinth of sounds.” - Erwan B,
The Plus Ones, Melbourne Fringe 2015.
“Bower has completely given herself over to the music.” – Myron My, Theatre Press, Melbourne Fringe 2015.
On Through the Looping Glass...
"It’s just one woman, a single violin; if your eyes were closed, I wouldn’t blame you if you thought somehow she was cheating."
- Alex Tate, Buzzcuts, Perth FRINGE WORLD 2015
"An unexpectedly beautiful and immersive musical experience." - Meg Crawford, BEAT Magazine, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
"Take one violinist and add a looping station. The result is a spectacular one-woman show that sees what happens when modern technology meets contemporary classical music." - Olivia Clarke, Mojo Monash Journalism, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
"Bower’s virtuosic and exhilarating performance encapsulates exactly what the Melbourne Fringe is about." - Caleb Garfinkel, Planet Arts Group, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
“Lost in the Looping Glass takes the notion of a solo violin recital and flips it on its head... a thrilling re-imagining of sonic capabilities of the violin that makes for an enrapturing performance.” - Matthew Tomich, Buzzcuts, Melbourne Fringe 2015
“She very intimately brings you into her world, where you can happily let yourself go to the labyrinth of sounds.” - Erwan B,
The Plus Ones, Melbourne Fringe 2015.
“Bower has completely given herself over to the music.” – Myron My, Theatre Press, Melbourne Fringe 2015.
On Through the Looping Glass...
"It’s just one woman, a single violin; if your eyes were closed, I wouldn’t blame you if you thought somehow she was cheating."
- Alex Tate, Buzzcuts, Perth FRINGE WORLD 2015
"An unexpectedly beautiful and immersive musical experience." - Meg Crawford, BEAT Magazine, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
"Take one violinist and add a looping station. The result is a spectacular one-woman show that sees what happens when modern technology meets contemporary classical music." - Olivia Clarke, Mojo Monash Journalism, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
"Bower’s virtuosic and exhilarating performance encapsulates exactly what the Melbourne Fringe is about." - Caleb Garfinkel, Planet Arts Group, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014
