Flowing seamlessly between past and present, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform Handel’s Water Music masterpiece alongside the world premiere of an original composition by Arnhem Land ocean and waterway custodian Rrawun Maymuru and acclaimed contemporary composer Nick Wales.
A profound meditation on the spiritual, cultural and environmental significance of water, the concert series marks the first time the Orchestra performs alongside a soloist in Yolngu language, and will take place at the Melbourne Recital Centre from 9 – 12 October and Sydney’s City Recital Hall from 14 – 18 October.
The lead singer of Aboriginal rock band East Journey, Rrawun Maymuru comes from a longline of Yolngu songmen from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land, and is the grandson of Dr Yunupingu, the original frontman of the iconic musical group Yothu Yindi. Singing in both English and Yolngu Mata, Maymuru’s music reflects a deep connection to country and culture, as well as his distinct perspective on the modern world.
Maymuru has previously collaborated with celebrated composer Nick Wales on the songs Yolngu and Nyapillilngu (Spirit Lady), blending ancestral Songlines with electronic and classical sound worlds. Known for his immersive and progressive music, Wales’s textural compositions traverse dance, film, theatre and visual art, with credits including ab [intra] for Sydney Dance Company, the feature film score for True Spirit, and collaborations with artists including Sarah Blasko, Ngaiire and Paul Mac.
In an innovative, genre-defying program, Artistic Director Paul Dyer explores the significance of water as an essential life force, inviting audiences to experience the convergence of ancient and contemporary musical traditions. At its heart is Handel’s exuberant Water Music, a celebration of abundance and grandeur, alongside the newly commissioned Water by Maymuru and Wales. Seasoned collaborators, Wales and Maymuru’s new orchestral work is a powerful ode to water that bridges Songlines of Arnhem Land with modern instruments. Maymuru will perform the piece in Yolngu language live on stage with the Brandenburg, marking his first performance with an orchestra. Maymuru’s voice, both ethereal and grounded, embodies the richness of Yolngu tradition and country.
The program also features Harbour Light, a previous composition by Nick Wales inspired by the shifting moods of Sydney Harbour, and the work Cloud Beneath the Sea by acclaimed Australian pianist and ARIA Award-winning composer Sophie Hutchings, that evokes the vast, arid beauty of central Australia while gazing towards new horizons.
Artist Rrawun Maymuru said: “The Yolngu people have been travelling and caring for the oceans and waterways for an eternity. We sing when the water is calm, when it’s rough, clear or when it turns brackish. We have names and songs for each of those elements and the creatures they contain. We know the boundaries of our waterways and those that belong to other clans. This work for Brandenburg comes from the Songline known as Nguy Gapu [the ocean].
“It is the right moment to perform this song for Brandenburg. It is an exciting point in the journey of sharing cultural knowledge. My collaboration with Nick Wales and the creation of this piece has arrived at the right time. Nick’s ability to tune into the spirit of this Songline and compose this classical composition feels like a cosmic connection – a blessing from my ancestral spirits. We look forward to sharing these stories with you.”
Artist Nick Wales said: “Traditional Yolngu song lines with the beauty of the Baroque orchestra – what an incredible opportunity to create something really special with Rrawun. The strength and power of Rrawun’s voice, his depth of connection to his culture and the rich sonority of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has really inspired me to create something really special. I have infused my lush and uplifting chamber orchestral textural composition with Rrawuns’ ancient songlines, and I hope audiences experience the same deep and elevating resonances I have felt throughout the creative process.”
Artistic Director Paul Dyer said: “Almost five years in the making, Water Music is a deeply personal project, a creative vision born from my passionate belief that water sustains, connects and inspires. It is a sonic reflection on the role of water as both a sacred and fragile resource, a rich, layered journey that is both celebratory and contemplative. My goal was to craft a program that speaks across time and cultures, uniting Baroque music with First Nations voices to illuminate the enduring presence of water in music, culture and life.”
More information and tickets available here: https://www.brandenburg.com.au/live-concerts/events/water-music/
