Details: Terra Nova, the second opus in the Poema series, explores themes of the search for meaning and the human experience. Alexander Shelley offers an interpretation of Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra that highlights the fragile balance between light and darkness, knowledge and mystery, inspired by Nietzsche's eponymous book. Canadian composer Ian Cusson's work, 1Q84: Sinfonietta Metamoderna, resonates with Strauss' work by drawing parallels between the world views of the German author and Japanese author Haruki Murakami, writer of the novel 1Q84. The National Arts Centre Orchestra delivers a performance that transcends music to reflect on our humanity.