Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Three of Australia’s leading improvising bowed string players, Bowlines, will launch their new CD, Not All Who Wonder Are Last, on Sunday 7 October at Carlton Church of All Nations. Not All Who Wonder Are Last is a wellspring of sparkling improvised instrumental music created by Australia’s leading klezmer violinist, Ernie Gruner (Bohemian Nights, Melbourne Playback Theatre), with virtuoso players Helen Mountfort (cello; Fine Blue Thread, Cosmo Cosmolino) and Hope Csutoros (violin, viola; My Friend The Chocolate Cake, The Stiletto Sisters, Circus Oz).

The recording captures the trio’s inspired interplay, their musical brilliance, and the love, trust and respect they bring to each other, their music, and the moment. The CD is true to the trio’s collaborative and creative sensibilities in every way, with input from artists including storyteller Niki Na Meadhra. Niki’s choice of the title Not All Who Wonder Are Last is a beautiful word play on J R R Tolkien’s “Not all those who wander are lost” line from the poem "All that is gold does not glitter” (Lord of the Rings). It speaks to the notion that slowing down to wonder may be at first a delay, but ultimately it is an enhancement of pace, focus and direction in a creative journey. Like watching a flock of birds circling at dusk, engaging in an unexpectedly enlivening conversation with a stranger at a party, or turning—on a whim—to saunter down an unfamiliar path, Not All Who Wonder Are Last evokes a sense of exploration, playful whimsy and the inherent value of taking time to wonder and ponder.

The launch concert will be a theatrical and musical extravaganza, featuring improvised music from Ernie, Hope and Helen, along with creative contributions from Adam Simmons (saxophone), Karen Berger (hang drum), and members of the Melbourne Playback Theatre Company as well as Travel Art Dance Company. Bowlines concerts are a breath-taking experience for audiences, inviting them to dive into a rich and intense new world of ephemeral music. The players’ melodies curve and weave, together and apart, creating harmonies that fill the space and reach into the heart. In the words of one audience member, “… it’s inspiring to be in the presence of the communion, the communication, the listening, the connection between the musicians and to receive the gift of their musical creation, happening in the moment”.

Their CD launch will offer Melbourne audiences a rare opportunity to hear these three world-class string musicians creating new music in the moment, and inviting others to experience the magical and transformative power of collective improvisation.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on 0418 549 631 or by email to ernie@erniegruner.com

Featured artists

• Jazz/improvisation by Ernie Gruner
• Jazz/improvisation by Helen Mountfort
• Jazz/improvisation by Hope Csutoros
• Jazz/improvisation by Adam Simmons
• Jazz/improvisation by Karen Berger