A new programme at the Malta Society of Arts organised by the National Agency for the Performing Arts is shining a spotlight on 32 years of chamber music by composer Ruben Zahra.
Rhythms of Vision on February 22 spans works from 1992 to 2024, showcasing how Zahra’s style has developed from early modernist experiments to immersive, multimedia compositions.
From early 12-tone explorations to complex multimedia pieces, the programme demonstrates his consistent drive to expand the boundaries of chamber music.
The programme
At the centre are three piano and clarinet duos: Mouse in the Machine (1992), Boiling Clouds (2018) and Catch My Breath (2023).
Mouse in the Machine reflects Zahra’s early engagement with Schoenberg’s 12-tone technique, while the later works demonstrate his contemporary approach, featuring rhythmic clusters, pulsating grooves and aggressive textures.
The duos chart a clear trajectory from formal experimentation to a highly personal musical language.
The programme also features Zahra’s interdisciplinary works for piano and video, a focus he has pursued since 2007.
These pieces integrate live performance with video, where the visual and sonic elements interact in real time.
The video’s sound design becomes part of the musical experience, expanding the piano’s expressive possibilities and creating an immersive audiovisual environment.
Kafka’s Insect (2020) and A Story Left Untold (2024) further extend the sonic palette by incorporating electronic backtracks.
These works move beyond traditional chamber music, combining the piano with cinematic textures and atmospheric soundscapes.
For audiences, the performance offers both historical perspective and immediate impact.
Rhythms of Vision, organised by the National Agency for the Performing Arts with works by Ruben Zahra, is taking place at the Malta Society of Arts on February 22 at 7.30pm. For tickets and more information, visit showshappening.com.