Stories of Silence
The series Stories of Silence examines the idea of silence as a presence loaded with meaning, rather than as an absence of sound.
It listens for the stories a young woman communicates without speech (El's Story) and the peace that a composer creates through music (Blue Silence). It tells of experiences that are indescribable (Silenced by the Unspeakable), witnesses who refuse to come forward (Silence of the Cyclists), and a family who has made a commitment to silence (Blood Stinks).
Stories of silence is about the truth and the lies contained in silence, and the many layers of meaning encompassed in a single word. Silence.
Transcripts for this series are available at the Stories of Silence website.
1. El’s Story
El is a 27-year-old woman who has a rare anxiety disorder known as selective mutism. Unable to speak to anyone except immediate family, El communicates by writing notes or using a keyboard.
In 'El's Story', El's written diary is given a 'voice' by actor Pia Miranda. We hear about El's attempts to obtain and maintain meaningful work: El is given the opportunity to interview a psychologist who specialises in selective mutism in children.
CREDITS
Natalie Kestecher, Producer
Steven Tilley, Sound engineer
Elena Kats-Chernin, Music
2. Blue Silence
Elena Kats-Chernin is one of Australia's leading composers. More than a decade ago, Elena's son Alex was diagnosed with schizophrenia. At the time, he was 14 years old.
In 2006, Elena was asked to compose music for the launch of the exhibition and book For Matthew and others, featuring artworks by and about people with schizophrenia. Several of her son's drawings were included. Elena wrote and performed three pieces: Triptych for Silence made up of ‘Blue Silence’, ‘Nonchalance’ and ‘No Silence’.
In this radio feature, Elena Kats-Chernin talks about how her style of composition has changed since Alex's diagnosis. Through music, she has tried to create the silence she imagines her son craves.
CREDITS
Natalie Kestecher, Producer
Steven Tilley and Andrei Shabunov, Sound engineers
Elena Kats-Chernin, Music
3. Silenced by the Unspeakable
Lilly has never been able to tell her sons what really happened to her in Auschwitz. They know some details but according to Lilly, those are just facts. The feelings that surround her experiences cannot be represented by words so they remain unspeakable, indescribable.
Rochelle is the daughter of holocaust survivor Peter Hersch. Despite the fact that her father has often spoken about his war time experiences, Rochelle has always been aware of the presence of silence around those events too painful to describe.
In this radio feature, two generations directly affected by the Holocaust speculate on what can and can’t be said, and on the consequences of not being able to find the words.
CREDITS
Natalie Kestecher, Producer
Andrei Shabunov, Sound engineer
Elena Kats-Chernin, Music
4. Blood Stinks
German writer Corinna Waffender is obsessed by silence. Her family, and indeed many Germans, have, according to Corinna, made a commitment to silence. This silence has taken the form of not being able to speak about war time experiences, not being able to listen to the experiences of others, and in keeping secrets.
In ‘Blood Stinks’, Corinna remembers her childhood in Central Germany. She remembers the songs of the famous Jewish tenor Joseph Schmidt, who was ultimately silenced by the Nazis. In particular, she remembers the man she knew as her grandfather – and the secrets, the sexual abuse and the silences that her family held close.
CREDITS
Natalie Kestecher, Producer
Andrei Shabunov, Sound engineer
The story ‘Blood Stinks’ is read in English by Regina Hellmann
5. Silence of the Cyclists
Alice Sherlock was alone one evening enjoying a leisurely bike ride when a pack of racing cyclists literally ran over her. The accident resulted in her needing extensive surgery but more painful, for Alice, was the silence that followed when she tried to find out who was responsible.
Her experience resulted in her doing a Masters degree and then a PhD that explored definitions of silence. Rather than being the absence of sound, as it is most commonly understood, Alice came to view silence as a very definite presence.
CREDITS
Natalie Kestecher, Producer
Andrei Shabunov and Steven Tilley, Sound engineers
Elena Kats-Chernin, Music