a day ago
Singing the Aphrodite myth, and a new take on golden age of Persian contemporary music
Growing up in Iran, Ashkan Shafiei would listen to 'forbidden music' on cassette tapes—songs recorded before the revolution, or by Iranian artists living overseas. Ashkan plays the rubab, a plucked-string instrument popular in Afghanistan, but rarely heard in Iran despite having an ancient history there. Now living in Australia, Ashkan's own music blends 'forbidden music' influences with traditional Persian music and his love of jazz and funk. His new EP Hunter was developed as part of the Artist Accelerator Program by Music in Exile — an initiative supporting artists from non-English language backgrounds to launch music careers in Australia.
Is it Aphrodite's fault that the beauty industry has never been more powerful? That's the question that Aphrodite , a new work by American composer Nico Muhly and Australian playwright Laura Lethlean, asks in its world premiere by Sydney Chamber Opera. Starring Sydney Chamber Opera stalwart Jessica O'Donoghue, and Puerto Rican soprano Meechot Marrero in her Australian debut, it's an exploration of beauty and pleasure underscored by Omega Ensemble. Jess, Meechot and SCO Artistic Director Jack Symonds join Andy to give a sneak preview of the work.
We say farewell to Terry Harper who is retiring after 49 years tuning the pianos in the ABC studios in Sydney. His work has been heard on thousands of recordings and live performances across Radio National, Jazz, Classic, local radio and more. We'll hear from Terry about the two essential skills that every piano tuner must have.
Plus, a track to remember Sly Stone who died this week at 82.
Aphrodite is presented by Sydney Chamber Opera at Carriageworks in Sydney 20 – 28 June
Ashkan Shafiei is performing at the Stay Soft Studio Winter Solstice Night Market at Collingwood Yards in Melbourne on Saturday 21 June
Music heard in the show:
Title: Madhouche
Artist: Ashkan Shafiei
Composer: Ashkan Shafiei
Album: Hunter (EP)
Label: Impressed Recordings/Music in Exile
Title: Extracts from Aphrodite
Artist: Jessica O'Donoghue, Meechot Marrero (singers), Jack Symonds (piano)
Composer: Nico Muhly, text Laura Lethlean
Performed live in The Music Show studio
Title: Dance to the Music
Artist: Sly & the Family Stone
Composer: Sylvester Stewart
Album: Dance to the Music
Label: Epic Records
Title: Madhouche
Artist: Ashkan Shafiei
Composer: Ashkan Shafiei
Album: Hunter (EP)
Label: Impressed Recordings/Music in Exile
Title: Camel on Mars
Artist: Ashkan Shafiei
Composer: Ashkan Shafiei
Album: Hunter (EP)
Label: Impressed Recordings/Music in Exile
Title: Chi Begam
Artist: Ashkan Shafiei
Composer: Marzieh
Album: Hunter (EP)
Label: Impressed Recordings/Music in Exile
The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country
