The Art of Fugue
in London

Following acclaimed performances across Australia in 2025, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra brought The Art of Fugue to London in a landmark international presentation at the Southbank Centre. In collaboration with internationally acclaimed contemporary circus company Circa, the production offered a distinctly Australian interpretation of Bach’s final masterpiece, transforming the composer’s intricate and unfinished work into an immersive experience combining live baroque performance with breathtaking acrobatics and physical theatre.

Performed on period instruments under the direction of Paul Dyer, Bach’s intricate score was paired with Circa’s gravity-defying choreography, led by Yaron Lifschitz. Together, music and movement intertwined to explore the connection between mind and body in a way that moved far beyond the traditional concert format. In The Art of Fugue, Bach’s complex counterpoint was translated into movement, balance and human connection, with musicians and acrobats sharing the stage throughout the performance.

Concert photography by Pete Woodhead

For the Brandenburg, the London performances represented an opportunity to showcase Australian artistic innovation on the international stage. The production reflected the Brandenburg’s long-standing commitment to reimagining Baroque music for contemporary audiences while remaining deeply connected to the emotional and intellectual power of Bach’s writing. Presented as part of the Southbank Centre’s acclaimed Multitudes Festival, the performances introduced new international audiences to the Brandenburg and Circa’s unique cross-disciplinary approach, reinforcing the strength and global relevance of Australian performing arts on one of the world’s leading cultural stages.

The Art of Fugue was met with strong critical and audience response both in Australia and abroad. Australian performances drew packed houses and widespread praise for the ambition and originality of the collaboration, with reviewers describing the experience as “breathtaking”, “jaw-dropping” and “a triumph” of artistic partnership. London audiences responded with equal enthusiasm, recognising the production’s bold fusion of historical music-making and contemporary performance.

Behind-the-scenes photography by Brandenburg team.

Through this landmark collaboration, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Circa demonstrated the power of Australian artistic innovation on the global stage. The London performances of The Art of Fugue not only reimagined one of classical music’s most enigmatic works for contemporary audiences, but also highlighted the ambition, creativity and international calibre of Australia’s performing arts sector.