New Letters to Esterhazy with Rupert Guenther 2023

The New Letters To Esterhazy Sonata 1 is a set of exquisite improvisations for violin performed by the artist. Each movement depicts imaginary letters from the artist in 21st century Australia sent back in time to Austrian musician Joseph Haydn in the 18th century Austro-Hungarian court of Esterhazy.

Rupert Guenther is a new type of violinist-composer, specialising in bespoke performances of his own highly evocative improvisations. His unique form of creative artistry is a highly personal response to life, just as a painter paints his pictures onto a blank canvas. On this world premiere tour, the artist presents yet another full concert of his imaginative improvisations. He has independently released over 25 albums. This sonata was one of 5 new albums of the artist's improvisations commissioned and recorded by ABC Classic FM. The music of this sonata is full of sunlight, appreciation and hope, yet tenderly handles moments of despair, the winter darkness, and delicate new growth with great compassion.

The concert concludes with three short contemplative works 'Hakone Maple' styled on the ancient tradition of Japanese shakuhachi flute music, 'So Many Stars', an Arabic-influenced composition, and 'Wandjina', a short work describing the mythological Wandjina figure and its relationship with the Australian desert landscape and the ancient culture of the land.