Latest news with #Inventions
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
William Dart review: Auckland Philharmonia dazzles with Mozart's Jupiter Symphony finale
George Benjamin's 2021 transcription of three Purcell Fantasias allowed the 16th-century originals to provide their own modernisms, their volatile harmonies delicately tinted with intricate voicings and exotic colours, including Korean temple bell. Australian recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey would use five different instruments in Elena Kats-Chernin's Re-Inventions, a witty and elegantly energetic romp, fashioned around Bach's two-part Inventions for keyboard. Lacey's ownership of this work, developed in improv sessions with its composer, was apparent from the irrepressible bubbling of its first movement. There were moments of mysterious poetry when lower-pitched instruments were used and it was impossible not to be caught up in the infectious rhythmic play as Lacey sparred with the orchestral strings. Most delicious of all were passages which strayed into territory closer to bossa nova than Bach. Lacey's encore, two short evocations of Australian birdlife by John Rodgers, took us from concert hall to the great outdoors, an illusion only momentarily shattered by the intrusion of an impudent cellphone. Mozart's Jupiter Symphony was predictably the grandest of grand finales, blending nobility and high spirits through Hussain's extremely lively tempi. Exquisite detail and phrasing made for a memorable andante cantabile and, before the audience was carried away by Mozart's final contrapuntal apotheosis, the minuet took time out for a freewheeling dance, spurred on by a few extra timpani flourishes from Steven Logan.
CBC
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
This Murdoch Mysteries prop master makes incredible inventions from household items
For fans of Murdoch Mysteries, the show's intricate gadgets and devices are as iconic as its gripping weekly sleuthing storyline and historical charm. But what many don't realize is that nearly every prop seen on screen owes its existence to the creative mind and skilled hands of Craig Grant, the series' longtime props master. Over 18 seasons Grant has built up an impressive catalogue of inventions. "Every single prop you've seen on the show probably touched my hands or came from my brain," he shares in a recent behind-the-scenes video shared on social media. His passion for detail and ingenuity has brought the Murdoch Mysteries universe to life, blending historical accuracy with the show's unique steampunk aesthetic. The Situation Room: A New Hub for Murdoch's Inventions Season 18 introduces viewers to the Situation Room, a brand-new set designed to serve as Murdoch's personal workshop. It's almost a museum-like display of his many devices. Among the standout pieces is a giant laser from the 200th episode (episode 1311, Staring Blindly into the Future), a device that Grant reveals is made primarily of everyday items. "A lot of this device you could buy at Home Depot, Canadian Tire — wherever — because they're just plumbing parts. Other than plumbing parts, you know, we've got an Ikea lampshade and a tea strainer." he explains. But the laser isn't the only example of Grant's ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Another of Grant's memorable creations is Murdoch's lie detector. A blend of historical inspiration and modern creativity, the machine's base originated as an Edison cylinder machine, enhanced with 3D-printed details and carefully arranged light bulbs. However, what viewers don't see is the behind-the-scenes operation. "When we're using this on set, somebody either myself or one of my team has to lie under the table and operate this thing," Grant reveals, giving a glimpse into the manual process behind the magic. In episode 1003, William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) reminds us that this lie detector, which Crabtree (Jonny Harris) calls the "Truthizer", is more aptly called the "Autonomic Response Indicator." Grant's personal favourite? A taser, or "weaponized capacitor" as it's referred to in the series. The prop was originally introduced at the end of Season 8 (episode 818, Artful Detective). "The base of this is actually a tranquillizer dart gun," he says, adding that (again) plumbing parts and creative assembly turned it into the striking steampunk invention we see on the show. As the Situation Room fills with more of Murdoch's creations, Grant's work continues to inspire and remind us of the craftsmanship behind every detail we see on screen in Murdoch Mysteries. According to Grant, "Anything can become a cool-looking prop if you treat it right."
