CDAustralian Monody : Reflections on light and darkness, love and loss / The Marais Project, Alice Chance, Susie Bishop, Gordon Kerry, Isaac Nathan, Henry Purcell, Marin Marais, Jennifer Eriksson, John Dowland, Carl Vine.
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The Marais Project is joined by international countertenor, Russell Harcourt, in a brilliant collection of largely Australian songs and instrumental works exploring light and darkness, love and loss.
The repertoire for Australian Monody spans from the greats of past eras - Henry Purcell, John Dowland, Marin Marais and colonial composer, Isaac Nathan - to works by living composers Carl Vine, Gordon Kerry, Alice Chance, and Michael Nyman.
Marais Project singer, Susie Bishop, also contributes an original song, as does ensemble leader, viola da gambist Jenny Eriksson, who composed a new final movement to a suite by Marin Marais, the group's namesake.
The original inspiration for the album came from renowned Australian composer, Gordon Kerry. He contacted Eriksson to say he had financial support from the late Marena Manzoufas to write a piece for The Marais Project which he titled 'Christchurch Monody,' referring to the massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand. The ensemble already had two songs by colonial composer, Isaac Nathan, in their repertoire, including 'The Aboriginal Mother.' This remarkable song, a setting of a poem by Eliza Dunlop, explores the infamous 1838 Myall Creek Massacre of up to 30 First Nations' people from the Wirraayaraay clan. Gradually the idea formed for a whole album of Australian songs, plus a sprinkling from overseas - all sung by Australians.
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