To Listen, To Sing - Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers (CD)

Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers is an award-winning artist development program designed to build bridges for First Peoples musicians to step forward, further develop their composing skills, and connect with the art music sector. In partnership with Australia’s leading new music group, Ensemble Offspring, Ngarra-Burria has been working with First Peoples composers to bring these exciting, previously unheard voices into the spotlight. This album celebrates the creative vision of twelve of the program’s leading alumni: music of beauty, strength and passion.

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Ngarra-Burria (‘To listen, to sing’, in the Dharug language of the Sydney area) is an internationally award-winning program that builds bridges for First Peoples musicians to step forward, further develop their composing skills, and connect with the art music sector. Initiated by Dharug composer Chris Sainsbury in 2015/16, the program takes composers on a voyage of deep participation with mentoring, workshops, recordings and performances.

Performed by the brilliant artists of Ensemble Offspring, this album celebrates the creative vision of twelve of the program’s leading alumni: Eric Avery, Rhyan Clapham (Dobby), Marlene Cummins, Brenda Gifford, Tim Gray, James Henry, Will Kepa, Mark ‘Munk’ Ross, Troy Russell, Elizabeth Sheppard, Nardi Simpson and Aaron Wyatt. Each composer brings to their music the stories of their own country and peoples, as well as drawing on their extensive experience as established performing artists across a broad range of genres. "We're not new," says program director Chris Sainsbury: "Just previously unheard."

Ensemble Offspring is Australia’s leading new music group. The multi-award-winning musical trailblazer presents gripping programs of living new music and commissions more new works than any other ensemble in Australia. Ensemble Offspring is led by percussionist Claire Edwardes OAM, with a core line-up of fearless instrumentalists many of whom are featured on this album and have been involved with Ngarra-Burria since its inception.

TRACK LIST

1. TROY RUSSELL Nucoorilma (Apple Tree)
2. BRENDA GIFFORD Gambambarra (Spring)
3. ERIC AVERY Gliding
4. AARON WYATT Cirrus
5. RHYAN CLAPHAM Pitara Yaan Muruwariki
6. JAMES HENRY Zoom Meeting
7. BRENDA GIFFORD Djana
8. MARK ROSS Streets of Sydney
9. NARDI SIMPSON Burruguu
10. TIM GRAY Lupe! Scene 4: A Serial Killer’s Mind, Parts 1 & 2
11. MARLENE CUMMINS Starting Over
12. NARDI SIMPSON Wilga’s Last Dance
13. JAMES HENRY The Rains
14-16. ELIZABETH SHEPPARD Kooranginy
17. WILL KEPA Ailan Opping
18. BRENDA GIFFORD Bardju (Footprints)

Ensemble Offspring:
Lamorna Nightingale flute
Jason Noble clarinet / bass clarinet
Claire Edwardes vibraphone / percussion
and Artistic Director
Alexandra Osborne violin
Freya Schack-Arnott cello
Brendan Clarke double bass