Silk, Metal, Wood | Musica Viva Australia
Monday 14 August from 7pm to 9pm Saturday 19 August from 2pm to 4pm
This program started with an invitation to the fascinating French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras – a human vessel of his instrument’s soulful beauty, and a musician known for his sense of artistic adventure. He leapt at the chance to work with one of Australia’s musical treasures: Satsuki Odamura, a grand master of the koto – a plucked Japanese zither – resident in Sydney for more than 30 years. They welcomed one of Adelaide’s young stars, cellist James Morley, into the mix – a trio of passionate musicians inspired by the love of their instruments and an endless delighted curiosity for finding new sounds to play.
Such a gorgeous palette of colours and textures is inspiration for Australian composer Jakub Jankowski, who will create a brand-new trio for them, nestled amongst solo suites by Bach and Britten, traditional and modern works for koto, and a gleeful duo from Offenbach
"Queyras plays … with extraordinary clarity and silken grace" — The Times (UK)
"There was strength and athleticism to Odamura’s playing … akin to seeing the graceful poise of an Olympic fencer"— Limelight Magazine
"James seemed completely at one with his instrument"— CutCommon