The Grigoryan Brothers: This is Us

A musical reflection of Australia

Acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have created a suite of music inspired by objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection, tracing Australia’s diverse and complex history. The award-winning international guitarists are counted among the finest musicians of their generation, embracing a range of genres and drawing on classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.

A musical reflection of Australia was commissioned by the National Museum in Canberra to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Slava and Leonard Grigoryan chose 18 objects from the museum which they felt were a wonderful representation of what it meant to be Australian. Separated from each other in different States during pandemic lockdown, the brothers worked remotely to compose pieces together, representing each of the museum objects. The result is This Is Us.

The 18 museum objects which inspire this performance include a 65,000 year old ochre of the Madjebebe rock shelter, a gold mourning locket containing a portrait and lock of hair of boxer Les Darcy, Prototype No. 1 Holden Sedan and a stream anchor from Matthew Flinder's ship the Investigator. A digital programme detailing all 18 items will be downloadable through a QR code.

Between them, Slava and Leonard have received four ARIA awards and an incredible 25 ARIA award nominations. They have been touring internationally since 2003 and have recorded 12 albums as a duo. Incorporating all their influences from classical to jazz and contemporary music, performed on a variety of guitars (electric, 8 string tenor ukulele, 12 string and classical), audiences will see and hear the Grigoryan Brothers like never before.