Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Early music specialists, The Marais Project, and electric viola da gamba ensemble, Elysian Fields, both led by the versatile Jenny Eriksson, return to The Independent Theatre on January 28, 2018 in a once off program titled, “My heart so grieves”.

This innovative program features music inspired by the poets of the 16th century. The first half of the concert features The Marais Project – consisting of Dutch-born tenor Koen van Stade, lutenist Tommie Andersson and Jenny Eriksson, viola da gamba - performing songs of love and loss from the Elizabethan era including the incomparable John Dowland. Van Stade features on The Marais Project’s most recent CD, “Spinning Forth”.

After interval, Elysian Fields will play music including pianist/composer Matt McMahon’s gorgeous song cycle, “What shall I Say”, settings of poems by Thomas Wyatt, a courtier to King Henry VIII. Elysian Fields consists of some of Australia’s finest jazz musicians and composers including Matt Keegan, saxophones and Matt McMahon, piano. Joining them and Eriksson is legendary bassist, Jonathan Zwartz, singer, Susie Bishop and drummer, Finn Ryan.

John Shand, the Walkley-winning SMH reviewer, wrote of the world premiere of Matt McMahon’s song cycle: “Here was an enthralling dialogue between past and present. McMahon has preserved Wyatt's prevailing mood of courtly gentleness, but spiced it harmonically and texturally…The songs were exquisitely sung by Susie Bishop.”

Featured non-Australian music: John Dowland, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Esbjörn Svensson

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (02) 9955 3000 or by email to philippogson@theleadingpartnership.com.au

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Presented by Marais Project
• Performer Elysian Fields
• Music of Matt McMahon