Pyrotechnic spectacle. The longest night of the year.

An experimental percussion score transposed from London into a pyrotechnic symphony in nipaluna / Hobart, inspired by Dante’s Inferno and other concepts of chaos and crisis.

A collaboration between pyro artist Alex Podger, London-based drummer Gareth Brown, music producer Benjamin Yellowitz, and Stuart Bensley from Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics. 

This piece was recorded in Gareth Brown's studio in London, with each drum hit transposed and interpreted by pyro designer Stuart Bensley, referencing imagery from Dante's Inferno and the moment he leaves Hell and see the stars again - the moment things change for the better.

Gareth Brown is one of the UK's leading percussionists, and has worked with Lily Allen, Rhianna, Shirley Bassey, Donna Summer & Hans Zimmer, to name but a few. 

Through the 6 hour recording session, we considered the different pitches of the pyro technic explosions, and key moments in Inferno that conjured images of present day chaos.

The project was delivered by Howard and Sons Pyrotechnics, Australia and produced by Darklab - Bodhi Aulich-Croll

Thence We Came Forth To Rebehold The Stars - Original Drumming Score by Gareth Brown

Live recording of the soundtrack of 'What We Learned From The Sky', the Closing Ceremony (Fire Event) of the Woodford Folk Festival 2016/17.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Nick Lavers

SOUND DESIGNER
Josh Wilkinson

FIRE CHOIR DIRECTOR
Beat Lehmann

COMPOSERS
Keir Nuttal 
Linsey Pollack
Andrew Veivers
Josh Wilkinson

FEATURED ARTISTS
Sasta
Kavisha Mazella
Keir Nuttal 
Linsey Pollack and Lizzie O'Keefe
Josh Wilkinson
Bob Robinson
Sean O'Siocru
The Viola Cloning Project (Richard Grantham)

THE PEOPLE'S ORCHESTRA
Orchestra Director: Andrew Veivers
Conductor / Brass Leader: Mal Webb
Stringers Leader: Andrew Clermont
Percussion Leader: Zaia Kendall
Woodwind Leader: Rick Halstead

CLOSING CEREMONY DIRECTOR
Alex Podger

9. Balvaj (Trad Romani) - The Fire Choir

8. Adrift - Linsey Pollack

7. The Comet - Keir Nuttal & Band, Josh Wilkinson

6. Curley Hill - Sasta

4. The South Town - Andrew Veivers & The People's Orchestra

3. An Ocean On Fire (Arroyo) - Linsey Pollack & Lizzie O'Keefe

2. Firelighting Ceremony - Bob Robinson

1. Comet Overture - Josh Wilkinson

5. The North Town (Anemone) / North and South - Linsey Pollack & Lizzie O'Keefe

Alex Podger

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