“The penultimate evening of the festival brought the audience an unusual experience in the form of the European premiere of the composition Dark Well by the Australian composer Andrew Schultz (*1960). Kateřina Ochmanová and Martin Smutný confidently guided us through a magically dark composition for two pianos. This proven piano duo was able to empathize with the changing moods of the composition and to concentrate completely in the demanding fast passages.

The blending of the sounds of both instruments, the gradual emergence of new themes and patterns, extreme dynamics, constant movement, compulsive dissonance, waves of tension and relaxation, great sound color, repeated high tones evoking raindrops or heavy lower frequencies – these are just some of the significant moments of the sixty-minute composition. inspired both by the real object of the well and by mental states and lost emotions.

The only visual effect that was used during the evening was the occasional gradual turning on of the lights and the re-falling into almost complete darkness, from which the outlines of baroque statues of saints and angels emerged ghostly in the space of the Corpus Christi Chapel. The role of “illuminator” was taken on by the author of the composition himself, who was personally present at the festival. Dark Well can be characterized as a tantalizing insight into the interior of the players and the audience … its enthusiastic reactions after the music ended spoke for everything.”[Festival Opera Schrattenbach 2023: Od baroka k experimentu, Opera+, 11 December 2023.]

Předposlední festivalový večer přinesl divákům nevšední zážitek v podobě evropské premiéry skladby Dark Well (Temná studna) australského skladatele Andrew Schultz (*1960). Magicky temnou kompozicí pro dva klavíry nás s jistotou provedli Kateřina Ochmanová a Martin Smutný. Toto osvědčené klavírní duo se dokázalo vcítit do nálad proměňující se kompozice i se naprosto zkoncentrovat v náročných rychlých pasážích.

Prolínání zvuků obou nástrojů, postupné vynořování nových témat a patternů, extrémní dynamika, neustálý pohyb, nutkavé disonance, vlny napětí a uvolnění, velká zvuková barevnost, repetované vysoké tóny evokující kapky deště či tíživé spodní frekvence – to jsou jen některé výrazné momenty šedesátiminutové kompozice, inspirované jak reálným objektem studny, tak duševními stavy a zjitřenými emocemi.

Jediným vizuální efektem, který byl v rámci večera použit, bylo občasné postupné rozsvěcování světel a opětovné upadání do takřka úplné tmy, z níž v prostoru Kaple Božího Těla přízračně vystupovaly obrysy barokních soch světců a andělů. Role „osvětlovače“ se ujal sám autor skladby, který byl na festivalu osobně přítomen. Dark Well lze charakterizovat jako dráždivý vhled do nitra hráčů i publika, které sice nebylo početné, leč jeho nadšené reakce po doznění skladby mluvily za vše. [Festival Opera Schrattenbach 2023: Od baroka k experimentu, Opera+, 11 December 2023.]

Interior of Corpus Christi Chapel Olomouc, Czechia (photo: Jan Beránek)

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Some unsolicited comments follow from audience members who were at recent European and Australian performances:

“Dear Andrew, Katerina and Martin,

Thank you so much once more  for your excellent performance of the very impressive and deeply touching oeuvre Dark Well!

It was an amazing, concentrated and unforgettable experience to listen and follow this masterpiece last night.

I am really very happy and thankful for this.

Vit”

Vít Zouhar

Prorektor pro studium | Vice-Rector for Education

Professor of Music

Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Palacký University Olomouc | Czech Republic

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“Dear Andrew,

When I entered the Nickson Room [in Brisbane], I was exhausted…. But then the piece began [performed by Stephen Emmerson and Bernard Lanskey] unfolding in the mysterious dim light.

At first, I was worried that my tiredness would make me fall asleep. But instead, the shimmering sounds of the two pianos transported me to another dimension, taking me on a journey through water. It was a truly unique, mysterious, and dreamlike experience—almost like being bathed in piano sound.

After the concert, I felt refreshed, awakened, and at peace…Thank you for creating music that is deep, beautiful, powerful, yet delicate at the same time.

Nozomi”

Nozomi Omote

Percussionist and Composer, Australia

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“Dear Andrew,

And thank you for yesterday, for writing such a beautiful and important two piano work, a wonderful addition to the repertoire…Thank you for a beautiful experience.

Liam”

Professor Liam Viney

Head – School of Music

Member of Viney-Grinberg Piano Duo

University of Queensland, Australia

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Bernard Lanskey & Stephen Emmerson rehearsing Dark Well in Brisbane, March 2025 (photo Andrew Schultz)

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