Silk, Metal, Wood | Musica Viva Australia

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 

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