Southern Cross Soloists: Maps and Journeys

Guest artists Chris Williams (trumpet and didgeridoo) and Eddie Ayres (narrator) join Southern Cross Soloists to explore musical works inspired by the concept of navigating by the sky, sea and land.

Navigation is one of the greatest challenges that humans have faced since the beginning of time, although with today’s technology we take it for granted. However, it actually took centuries of trial and error for man to find ways to navigate the world we live in through charting the sea, the land and the sky.

Long before Europeans set foot on Australian soil, Indigenous Australians had rich astronomical traditions, and extraordinary navigational abilities. Through their unique understanding of the star constellations and their creation of star maps and Songlines, they were able to establish sophisticated trade routes covering vast distances across the Australian continent. Likewise, European explorers were using star navigation to explore the unknown east and southern hemispheres.

Maps and Journeys will explore the routes of both these cultures and their eventual intersection, through music and insightful narration from ABC radio personality, Eddie Ayres. The concert will also feature a world premiere of a new work called Ginan: the Southern Cross star given a new indigenous name to recognise Aboriginal astronomy.

Guest Artists
Eddie Ayres – narrator
Chris Williams – trumpet, didgeridoo

Program
Vivaldi La Tempesta di Mare RV433
Sculthorpe Earth Cry
Ravel Miroirs No. 3: Une barque sur l’océan
John Rotar Ginan: Songs of Knowledge World Premiere
Debussy/Jolivet/Sculthorpe Terra, Luna, Astra: selections of solo instrumental works
Khachaturian Adagio from Spartacus
Debussy La Mer L. 109