Pianist-composer Belle Chen brings her unique immersive live performance to EartH Theatre, reimagining her whimsical and imaginative album ‘Ravel In The Forest’ live with her modern chamber ensemble.
 

This special performance will be presented in L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound by L-Acoustics.

Notes fall like raindrops, quickening pace as the clouds gather. The piano melody splish sploshes into the electronic soundscape; the trees become denser, the journey more profound. Belle Chen's new album ‘Ravel In The Forest’, leads the listener through ancient woodland, quiet clearings and tropical canopies. We're accompanied by birds, a chameleon, a dragonfly – the wonder of the natural world is imbued into this imaginary space.

Praised as an artist that is “Original and provocative… feels like the sense of discovery” (Brian Eno), the Australian Music Prize-nominated artist’s latest album charted at #7 UK Chart (Specialist Classical) and #15 Australia ARIA Chart (Classical).
 

In her live shows, Belle takes a quirky, yet tender approach to musical storytelling. With the unmistakable influences of Maurice Ravel, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Joe Hisaishi’s melodic sweetness shining through, Belle blends sonic synth explorations and free flowing improvisations that feel equally at home on jazz or experimental stages.

In this special performance, Belle is joined by a string quartet from the award-winning Engines Orchestra led by Phil Meadows (Metropole Orkest, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia), multi-instrumentalist Brendan Cox (Imogen Heap, Guy Sigsworth, Patrick Wolf), and Korean piri artist Seayool.

Line-up

Belle Chen Piano, Keys, Synth

Phil Meadows MD with the Engines Orchestra String Quartet

Brendan Cox Keys, Guitar

Seayool Piri, Vocals

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With Anna Phoebe

Opening the evening is multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and presenter, Anna Phoebe. Her solo performances are centred around the violin, building visceral soundscapes which are not just heard, but experienced. Anna’s live performance envelopes the audience in a sonic landscape that is at once raw and beautiful, familiar and otherworldly, and serves as a rich immersive musical response to the natural world. 

Anna's music has been championed heavily by the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music and KEXP. 2024 highlights have included selling out her first solo tour of the UK, Radio 3 performances with Jools Holland and a standout hybrid DJ and live collaboration with DJ Mary Anne Hobbs at the BBC 6 Music Festival. 

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