Philip Glass: Piano Etudes + In the Upper Room

Performed by Maki Namekawa + Orchestra Victoria

A unique concert experience under the Dome celebrating the legacy of visionary composer Philip Glass.

Witness two major works by one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century. Widely recognised as a pioneering figure of minimalism, Glass’s music is characterised by cyclical patterns, driving rhythms and gradual transformation — though he resisted the minimalist label, preferring to define his work on its own structural terms.

First, Orchestra Victoria performs In the Upper Room, a rarely presented work of scale, intensity and layered sound, conducted by Fabian Russell. Originally composed for Twyla Tharp’s landmark ballet, this concert presentation places the focus squarely on Glass’s composition.

Then, world-renowned concert pianist Maki Namekawa brings Piano Etudes 1–10 to life. A leading interpreter of Glass’s music, Namekawa brings extraordinary clarity and intensity to these meditative studies. Having worked closely with the composer, she is widely regarded as the definitive interpreter of the Etudes, revealing profound emotional depth beneath their elegant structures.

Together, these performances span the intimate and the monumental: a hypnotic, ever-shifting journey through the revolutionary music of Philip Glass.

Presented with Museums Victoria.

Browse the full Now or Never program here.