Erwan Keravec – 8 Pipers for Philip Glass + Nat Bartsch

A musical odyssey that demands to be heard, witnessed and felt with every sense.

With the saturated sonic textures of eight bagpipes, 8 Pipers for Philip Glass invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world of haunting resonance and complex beauty. The powerful artistry of these French pipers, led by Erwan Keravec and his captivating arrangements, re-imagines some of Glass’ most visionary works.

Considered the master of French highland bagpipes, Keravec, alongside seven other pipers, connect Glass’ modern compositions with ancient musical roots, perfectly showcasing the raw, expressive power of the bagpipe.

To open this Dynamic Double Set performance, Melbourne Recital Centre’s 2024 Artist in Residence, Nat Bartsch, returns to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. Presenting a selection of works from her critically acclaimed new album Forever Changed, before ultimately leading listeners into the Philip Glass exploration with her mesmerising performance of the composer’s Etude No.2.

From Melbourne Recital Centre’s Marshall McGuire

‘I first heard this extraordinary performance late at night in a club in Berlin in 2024. Spending an hour in the company of bagpipes in a small space was perhaps not up there on my list of must-haves, but initial curiosity soon turned to intense amazement. This is music-making like you’ve never heard it before. These virtuoso Breton pipers take the music of Philip Glass and turn it into a swirling, mesmerising, intoxicating brew of chants and tunes and vibrations.

The crowd soon turned from initial curiosity to transfixed participants, each wave of sound moving the audience emotionally and physically. We all emerged changed, from a powerful, unique, beautiful and intense musical experience like no other. I look forward to sharing this experience with you, as we immerse ourselves in this beautiful and intoxicating performance in the unparalleled acoustics of Elisabeth Murdoch Hall.’

Support From 

L’Etat - Préfet de la région Bretagne - DRAC Bretagne, la Région Bretagne. L’Adami, le Centre National de la Musique, l’Institut Français, la Maison de la Musique Contemporain, Spectacle Vivant en Bretagne, Spedidam.

In residency at La Soufflerie, scène conventionnée de Rezé A Espaces Pluriels, Théâtre Saragosse, scène conventionnée de Pau.

This performance is generously supported by the Robert Salzer Foundation.