Rubiks Collective and Jane Sheldon

The nested problems of being human.

Experience an evening of music that is intimate and unexpectedly moving.

Praised for her ‘mesmerising emotional truth’ (The Australian), acclaimed vocalist Jane Sheldon and Rubiks Collective explore what it means to love, hope, and navigate an increasingly complex world.

Featuring three bold works by leading contemporary composers, Laura Bowler's award-winning ‘Wicked Problems’ pairs voice and bass flute in a meditation on humanity's greatest challenges, and our narrow odds of getting them right. David Lang's ‘How to Pray’ draws on the psalms, an atheist's take on the shape of prayer, its rhythms, its pacing, and its quiet hope for an answer. Thomas Meadowcroft's ‘Love Songs without Subjects’ sets French philosopher Lacan's writing on love and desire, threading unlikely pairs through its vocal line, ‘Dido's Lament’ beside ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,’ ‘Michelle’ beside ‘My Funny Valentine.’

Anchored by the beautiful and instantly recognisable lament bass sequence, the ensemble creates the slowly descending Shepard tone effect – always falling, never landing. Rather like love. Tackling love, religion, climate change and the agony of uncertainty, experience an evening of music that is searching, intimate and unexpectedly moving.

Praise for Rubiks Collective

‘The freshness and excitement generated by this ensemble’s commitment and passion for new music is infectious.’ – Classic Melbourne

‘It appears that only the sky is the limit for what these guys are capable of! Rubiks is a powerhouse of vibrance, versatility and vigorous virtuosity.’ – ClassikON

Tickets

Standard $45 ($40 Concession)

Please note, seating in the Primrose Potter Salon is General Admission.

A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.

Artists

Rubiks Collective
Tamara Kohler flutes
Kaylie Melville percussion
Gemma Kneale cello
Jacob Abela keyboards
Sophie Marcheff guitar

Jane Sheldon soprano 

About the Artist

Rubiks Collective is an Australian art music ensemble, commended for their ‘incredibly personal, strangely spiritual and ultimately deeply touching’ performances (Limelight) and celebrated as fearless innovators in the contemporary classical landscape. Established in Melbourne in 2015 and directed by Tamara Kohler (flutes) and Kaylie Melville (percussion), Rubiks is dedicated to the celebration and expansion of contemporary chamber music.

Rubiks reimagines classical music for the modern era by showcasing bold interdisciplinary artistic collaborations, sharing untold stories, and championing gender equity in the arts. The ensemble has collaborated with Australian and international artists including Marcus Fjellström (SE), Amy Zhang (US), BecPlexus (NL), Ashis Sengupta (IN), Kinds of Kings (US), Short Black Opera (AU), and Invenio Singers (AU).

In 2021, Rubiks was awarded the inaugural Percy Grainger Award from Melbourne Recital Centre, recognising their commitment to the commissioning and performance of Australian new music.

Program

David Lang
How to Pray 

Laura Bowler
Wicked Problems

Thomas Meadowcroft
Love Songs without Subjects