In Conversation At Melbourne Recital Centre

What is Rebetiko? ​It is the music of passion, pain and love. It is a tapestry woven of Byzantine, Turkish, Roma, Jewish and other musical forms, created in the Piraeus 100 years ago by Greek refugees from Asia Minor and has grown to become a globally respected musical style.​ Cat McGauran speaks with Con Kalamaras about Rebetiko music and its history. Con Kalamaras has had a long history within the world music community in Melbourne and in Community Radio. His background is as an active musician within the Greek Community, playing primarily in the Melbourne Rebetiko Ensemble, and has also produced many concerts in Melbourne. His ensemble has been a staple in many local and interstate festivals. Con’s passion for music also extends to his obsession for collecting rare European 78 records and for his ever growing LP and CD collection. Fascinated by the history of recording technology, Con has thrown himself deeply into researching the musical history of recordings and how these tie in with the mass movements

Known for his deeply resonant voice and musical sensitivity, Gawurra catapulted onto the music stage in 2016 following the release of his critically acclaimed, and multi-award winning debut album, Ratja Yaliyali. The Melbourne-based via Arnhem Land musician joined Double J’s Caz Tran in conversation, discussing the stories behind his music, his passions and influences, and his story.

Nkechi Anele and Lucille Cutting are friends who connected through difference. As two Nigerian-Australian women of a similar age and background, Nkechi and Lucie had vastly different upbringings. One grew up in an urban environment surrounded by many cultures and the other in a small town in country Victoria. Questions about race, identity and culture form the basis of their friendship and led to the development of The Pin – an online discussion platform run by biracial Australians for all Australians. Everyone deserves to feel safe to THINK about who they are, MEET amazing people and EXPRESS themselves. In October 2017, a lineup of thought-provoking guests joined award winning journalist and moderator Santilla Chingaipe for Where We At? — a live forum exploring contemporary thought on race, identity and culture in Australia

In October 2017, we welcomed Jane Davidson and Jody Evans to the Salon to discuss what music audiences want and feel; how music audience experience contributes to well-being; and what can be done to improve music audience experiences.

Like Running Water brings together Ella Thompson, Sui Zhen and Clio Renner in a multi-dimensional arrangement that intersects sound, sight and scent. 3RRR’s Lauren Taylor joined Ella, Clio and Sui Zhen for an In Conversation event to hear insights into the creative process behind the group’s new Melbourne Festival show, musings on their careers.

In this Soundescapes podcast presented by Melbourne Recital Centre, we learn about the extraordinary story of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir and the choral tradition that has survived for nearly 150 years. Hosted by Cat McGauran featuring choir master Stuart Morris and director of the documentary film 'The Song Keepers' Naina Sen. To discover more stories behind the music, the musicians and people that make Melbourne Recital Centre the best place to hear, visit soundescapes.melbournerecital.com.au

In this Soundescapes podcast presented by Melbourne Recital Centre, we explore J.S. Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier as part of the 48 Ways of Looking at Bach concert series. Hosted by Cat McGauran and featuring Marshall McGuire, Liz Anderson and Paul Grabowsky. To discover more stories behind the music, the musicians and people that make Melbourne Recital Centre the best place to hear, visit soundescapes.melbournerecital.com.au

In this Soundescapes podcast presented by Melbourne Recital Centre, we look at the different ways music can help different people recover from trauma. Hosted by Cat McGauran and featuring James Richmond, Michael Mosley and Samantha Dieckmann. To discover more stories behind the music, the musicians and people that make Melbourne Recital Centre the best place to hear, visit soundescapes.melbournerecital.com.au

In April 2017, we welcomed Professor Felicity Baker, Dr Samantha Dieckmann and James Richmond to Melbourne Recital Centre to discuss Music and Trauma.

Song is perhaps the oldest form of musical communication, with the earliest surviving manuscript dating from 3400 years ago. Song has accompanied rituals associated with spirituality, labour, education, entertainment and, of course, expressions of emotion such as love and grief. In this presentation, some of these functions will be explored through examples of plainsong, polyphony, ballades, madrigals, chansons, lieder, and modern works. We shall see how, at various times, the entwining of text and music has favoured one element over the other, and how each language’s rhythm and inflection influences the melodies created.

Australia is home to the world’s oldest indigenous musical culture, and the site of major developments in various genres from folk through rock to art music. On Monday 24 October, leading Australian composer Katy Abbott Kvasnica and her internationally esteemed colleagues who form the ensemble Three explored some of the key works that make up the contemporary art music landscape, including insight into the world premiere of Ross Edwards’ work for solo guitar.

Discover how music can have positive effects on the minds of people with disability. Dementia poses significant challenges for all those it affects. This presentation investigates the benefits of music for persons with dementia and their carers on memory, mood and behaviour. Three of the country’s new National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Research Council Dementia Research Development Fellows Drs Amee Baird, Jeanette Tamplin and Sandra Garrido offer critical insights into how music can have positive effects on the minds of PWD.

A rare up-close and personal discussion with American visionary Zola Jesus. Equally commanding and fragile, Zola Jesus transcends genre with her shape-shifting mix of cinematic synth pop and dark anthemic balladry. Her mix of the traditional and futuristic has seen her heralded among America’s most compelling young musicians and, at just 27, performed with Fever Ray, The XX and collaborated with David Lynch and M83. For her fifth studio album, 'Taiga', Zola relocated to Vashon Island in the Puget Sound in an effort to immerse herself in the natural world. Taiga is an undeniable transition for Zola Jesus described by the artist herself; ‘The music on the record is massive, with big brass and beats, crystal clear vocals.’ In this recording, Zola Jesus shares insights into her creative processes and musings on her career. This was a unique opportunity for an intimate audience to participate in the creative conversation and learn from this remarkable musician.

A rare up-close and personal discussion with banjoists Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn Banjoists Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn have mastered the deceptively intricate art of the duet. Their performances embrace a diversity almost unthinkable – coming from just two banjos and one voice. Fleck, a 15-time Grammy winner, has collaborated with Chick Corea, Oumou Sangare, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Dave Mathews, Earl Scruggs, and the entire Cleveland Orchestra for his Banjo Concert ‘The Impostor’. Washburn’s banjo has taken her far beyond the usual old-timey comfort zone, musically and geographically. An alumnus of Uncle Earl, the powerhouse all-female string-band, Abby’s adopted second homeland is China, and her music resounds with echoes of Appalachia and the tidal wave of emerging Chinese cultural influence. Together, Fleck and Washburn employ the relatively rare 3-finger and claw hammer banjo duet to create an explosion of musical white heat. Melbourne Recital Centre presents the opportunity for a rare u

In Conversation is a creative conversation about artistic processes, musical influences, career highlights and more, recorded live at Melbourne Recital Centre. On Wednesday 29 June, vocalist Lisa Gerrard and Melbourne songwriter Dave Graney joined an intimate group of fans and fellow musicians in the Salon for a rare ‘In Conversation’ event at Melbourne Recital Centre. About Lisa: Over a career that takes in almost two decades with Dead Can Dance, award-winning movie soundtracks and a series of acclaimed solo and collaborative albums, Lisa Gerrard has established herself as one of Australia’s most ground-breaking and in-demand artists. About Dave: Dave Graney hails from the 80s post punk scene with fellow travellers Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Apartments and the Laughing Clowns. Join the conversation! And for more information visit melbournerecital.com.au