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Filmed at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and streamed by the Australian Digital Concert Hall this is an exciting , challenging and exuberant concert by Ensemble Offspring .
NGARRA-BURRIA are Dharug words translating as ‘to listen, to sing’. Begun in 2016 by Indigenous composer Christopher Sainsbury, the Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers program exists to support and mentor emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander composers in the classical music world.The program ,curated by Chris Sainsbury and Claire Edwardes , features works by seven notable composers Rhyan Clapham (aka DOBBY ), Brenda Gifford, James Henry, Aaron Wyatt, Eric Avery, Nardi Simpson and Mark Ross.
The performers of Ensemble Offspring were – Claire Edwardes the artistic director, busily having fun on percussion , Sonya Holowell voice, Lamorna Nightingale on exquisite flutes , Jason Noble playing both ‘ordinary’ and contra bass clarinets , Alexandra Osborne shimmering and delightful on violin , Rowena Macneish heartfelt on cello , Roland Peelman assured on piano and Maria Moles on drums . The masterful quality of their playing was superb and, while they were intently observing each other they were obviously having fun.
At times the concert was lyrical and reflective, at others sharp, spiky,bouncy and emphatic with staccato emphasis. Sometimes it rippled, bubbled and cascaded, at others it was haunting and quivering.Close attention was always paid to the structure of the music , which at times was a breathless group discussion , at others interweaving , spiky, atmospheric and incisive.
The opening work made this reviewer think of starry night skies . Occasionally there was a jazzy feel to the music and at one point there are perhaps possible allusions to the powerful Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. Handclaps, percussion sticks used as clapping sticks, sound similar to bird calls and strong underlying rhythms for some of the works are featured.
Meticulously curated , the concert includes musical arguments that appear to be concluded but surge in waves , and sweeping melodies .It has further encouraged development of artists and their great importance .
Program
Ensemble Offspring – Ngarra-Burria Wednesday 19 April 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall Ensemble Offspring Claire Edwardes artistic director, percussion Sonya Holowell voice Lamorna Nightingale flutes Jason Noble clarinets Alexandra Osborne violin Rowena Macneish cello Roland Peelman piano Maria Moles drums Brenda Gifford Bardju (Footsteps) Nardi Simpson Wilga’s Last Dance Troy Russell Nucoorilma (The Apple Tree) Rhyan Clapham Pitara Yaan Murawariki Nardi Simpson Of Stars and Birds Aaron Wyatt Cirrus Eric Avery Wind (of Ancestors) Gliding Nardi Simpson Burrguu (Time of Creation) Troy Russell Tenseri per mano (To hold hands) James Henry Zoom Meeting Mark Ross Streets of Sydney Brenda Gifford Mirriwa (Sky) Rhyan Clapham Talk to me I’m Listening
Running time allow 90 minutes no interval
https://australiandigitalconcerthall.com/#/item/106466
https://ensembleoffspring.com/
