annexia ensemble
an·nex·a·tion (latin ad, to, and nexus, joining) - the incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity.
The Annexia Ensemble is a medium sized 19-piece orchestra first assembled in 2009 by Perth based composer Christopher de Groot. Annexia is comprised of a transient group of professional West Australian musicians that come from a diverse array of backgrounds. The ensemble first performed de Groot's score for Dimitri Kirsanoff's silent masterpiece Ménilmontant [1926] in August 2009 to wide acclaim. The ensemble performed this score a second time at the bamBOO amphitheater in November 2009.
The standard line-up of the ensemble comprises of: flute/alto, clarinet/bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, accordion, electric guitar, percussion, keyboard/innovative playback devices, 3 violins, 3 violas, 3 cellos, 1 double bass.
De Groot has recently utilised an
augmented 23-piece Annexia ensemble line-up for Sam Barrett's
independent feature film Esoterica
[2010].
“Chris's live score for the French silent
film Ménilmontant is an
assured and well developed work of screen composition" - Philip Brophy [Australian
musician, composer, filmmaker, writer, and academic]
Ménilmontant is "...gripping
viewing that is very much
enhanced by de Groot's new score" -
Neville Cohn [The
West Australian]