The Music Show

In 1961, the first elected leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was assassinated just months after the country’s newfound independence. Unbeknownst to themselves, US jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Dizzie Gillespie, Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln played an unlikely role in his death. Belgian director Johan Grimonprez joins us on The Music Show to explain the bizarre link between jazz and the CIA involvement in this Congolese coup, detailed in his new documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, playing as part of Melbourne International Film Festival. Sinking Cities is a new work from jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Rafael Karlen. It laments the 2019 flooding of 12,000-year old Türkish city Hasankeyf (one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world) to make way for a controversial dam. Karlen, who has never been to Türkiye, explains to Andrew Ford why this issue inspired him to write a large-scale piece of music for string orchestra, choir and saxophone.Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat, directed by Johan Grimonprez is showing as part of Melbourne International Film Festival on 12 + 24 August, and New Zealand International Film Festival on 15 + 17 August.Rafael Karlen's album Sinking Cities is out now on ABC Classic.Technical production by Ann-Marie DebettencorThe Music Show is produced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

With a voice comfortable singing baroque repertoire and world premieres, Roderick Williams is one of the most sought-after baritones in the UK. He’s also an arranger and composer (he wrote music for King Charles’ coronation), but tells Andrew Ford that his most important label is ‘musician’. He’s in Australia for concerts at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, the Newcastle Music Festival, and with the Adelaide and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras.“We who believe in freedom cannot rest, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes” — Bernice Johnson Reagon (from the lyrics to Ella's Song)The pioneering US civil rights activist, composer, scholar and singer Bernice Johnson Reagon died last week at the age of 81. The vocal group she founded, Sweet Honey In The Rock, has elevated the voices and music of Black women in America for decades. We'll hear again from a Music Show interview from the eve of the 2000 US election where Reagon explains what drives her, and how singing and protest are so intertwined. Roderick Williams' Australian performance dates:Friday 26 July - ACFM Opening Night Concert - Festival FeelingsSaturday 27 July - AFCM Ray Golding Sunset Series 1 -Spanish SunsetSaturday 27 July - AFCM Governor's Gala - Angels, Demons and other Nasties...Sunday 28 July - AFCM SPECIAL EVENT Sunday Night Concert - SchubertiadeMonday 29 July - AFCM Concert Conversations 2 withAlexandra Raikhlina, Christian-Pierre La Marca, Roderick Williams, Umberto Clerici and Stephen JohnsonWednesday 31 July - Roam with the Adelaide Symphony OrchestraThursday 1 August - AFCM Ray Golding Sunset Series 4 - Brothers in LoveThursday 1 August - AFCM Evening Concert 3 - Baroque TemptationsSaturday 3 August - AFCM Ray Golding Sunset Series 6-Distant BelovedSaturday 3 August - AFCM Closing Concert - Festival FarewellSunday 4 August - AFCM After PartyFriday 23 August - Newcastle Music Festival masterclassFriday 23 August - Newcastle Music Festival recital Thursday 29 August - Fauré's Requiem with the MSOSaturday 31 August - Fauré's Requiem with the MSO Sunday 1 September - Siobhan Stagg and Roderick Williams in recitalMusic in this show:Title: Ella's SongComposer: Bernice Johnson ReagonArtist: Sweet Honey In The RockAlbum: BreathsLabel: Cooking Vinyl COOK 008Title: The ShepherdComposer: Roderick Williams, words William BlakeArtist: Roderick Williams and Susie AllanAlbum: Vaughan Williams: A Birthday GarlandLabel: SOMM Recordings SOMMCD 0683Title: Be Thou My Vision, Triptych for OrchestraComposer: Roderick WilliamsArtist: The Coronation Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano conductorAlbum: The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla: The Official AlbumLabel: Decca 5574786Title: When I was one-and-twentyComposer: George Butterworth, words A. E. Housman, arr. Roderick WilliamsArtist: Roderick Williams, Hallé Orchestra, Mark ElderAlbum: A Shropshire Lad: English Songs Orchestrated by Roderick WilliamsLabel: Hallé CDHLL7559Title: We Are The OnesComposer: Bernice Johnson Reagon, words June JordanArtist: Sweet Honey In The RockAlbum: ...Twenty-Five...Label: Rykodisc RCD 10451Title: Ballad of the Broken WordComposer: Toshi ReagonArtist: Sweet Honey In The RockAlbum: Still On The JourneyLabel: EarthBeat! 9 42536-2Technical production by Ann-Marie DebettencorThe Music Show is produced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Kamilaroi and Tongan singer and musician Radical Son (AKA David Leha) has just released his second album, a full decade after his debut. Called Bilambiyal (The Learning) it demonstrates his growth as a songwriter with a knack for weaving personal stories alongside wider reflections on culture, community and Country. He's also a masterful collaborator, bringing in the voices of legends Frank Yamma and Emma Donovan and a crack team of producers to build out the album's lush sound.Christopher Cerrone's Nervous Systems is an aural exploration of systems; from flesh and blood, to tides and oceans, to the brutalist architecture of Pier Luigi Nervi. With the original work barely dry on the score, Omega Ensemble have commissioned a new arrangement that brings new colour to this sonic landscape. Chris joins us on The Music Show to discuss this work, as well as mentoring, opera, and dystopian insect drones.Radical Son's second album Bilimbiyal (The Learning) is out now, and he performs at CLANCESTRY Festival in Brisbane on 31 July.Christopher Cerrone's new arrangement of Nervous Systems will be played as part of Omega Ensemble's Alchymia, with two shows playing at ACO Pier 2-3 in Sydney July 27. Music in this program:Title: ElderArtist: Radical Son, Jida GulpililComposer: Andrew Robinson, David Bridie, David Leha, Jida Gulpilil, Marcus LongfootAlbum: Bilambiyal (The Learning)Label: Wantok MusikTitle: Dhuwan Baraay YuligiArtist: Radical SonPerformed live in the RN Breakfast studio Title: Yuluwirri Wandabaa (The Rainbow Dreaming)Artist: Radical Son, Emma Donovan, Frank YammaComposer: David Bridie, David Leha, Marcus LongfootAlbum:  Bilambiyal (The Learning)Label: Wantok MusikTitle:  Nervous SystemsArtist: CIM New Music Ensemble (Greg Hamilton – clarinet, Kayla Bryan – violin, Minchae Kim – violin, Tristan Wilson – viola, Annamarie Wellems – cello)Composer: Christopher CerronePerformed live on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Mixon Hall at the Cleveland Institute of MusicTitle: Scene 7: The Murdered Man, Channeled by a MediumArtist: Metropolis Ensemble and full vocal castComposer: Christopher Cerrone, Stephanie FleischmannAlbum: In a GroveLabel: Independent -- ICR028Title:  The Insects Became MagneticArtist:  Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester BerlinComposer:  Christopher CerronePerformed live by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester BerlinTechnical production by Russell Stapleton and Ann-Marie DebettencorProduced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn's Hamlet (2017) has been one of the most successful operas of recent years with performances at the Glyndebourne Festival, the Adelaide Festival, New York's Metropolitan Opera and the Bavarian State Opera. Now it comes to the Sydney Opera House in its original production by Neil Armfield, with the tenor Allan Clayton, who created the role of Hamlet, perhaps singing it for the last time. Brett Dean and Allan Clayton join Andrew Ford to talk about the opera's origins and its connection to Shakespeare's play.New York-based jazz bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh is back in Australia for a string of concerts with her husband, the Cuban American pianist Fabian Almazan, as well as the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (a nice full circle moment for the Perth-raised musician). She speaks to Andrew Ford about switching between electric and upright bass, incorporating her voice in compositions, and the environmental themes behind her piece Ephemeral Echoes which has just earned her a nomination at the forthcoming 2024 Art Music Awards. Hamlet runs from 20 July - 9 August at the Sydney Opera House. Linda May Han Oh performs 21 July at the Sydney Opera House, and 22 July at Church St Studios in Sydney.Music in this program:Title: Act I; Scene 4, ...or not to be (Live)Composer: Brett Dean, words William Shakespeare, libretto Matthew JocelynArtist: Allan Clayton, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Nicholas CarterAlbum: Brett Dean: Hamlet (Recorded Live at the Met, June 4 2022)Label: The Metropolitan Opera (digital release)Title: Spring Symphony, Op. 44, Part II. Waters aboveComposer: Benjamin BrittenArtist: Allan Clayton, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon RattleAlbum: Britten: Spring Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem, the Young Person's Guide To the OrchestraLabel: LSO Live LSO0830Title: Act I; Scene 4, Get thee to a nunnery (Live)Composer: Brett Dean, words William Shakespeare, libretto Matthew JocelynArtist: Allan Clayton, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Nicholas CarterAlbum: Brett Dean: Hamlet (Recorded Live at the Met, June 4 2022)Label: The Metropolitan Opera (digital release)Title: Wring from him the cause (from Gertrude Fragments) Composer: Brett DeanArtist: Lotte Betts-Dean, Andrey LebedevRecording supplied by Brett DeanTitle: Firefly, from Ephemeral Echoes (Live)Composer: Linda May Han OhArtist: Linda May Han Oh, Steve Richter, Iain Robbie, Genevieve Wilkins, Fabian Almazan, Ben VanderwalLive recording from Perth Festival 2023, with thanks to Finding Our VoiceTitle: HatchlingComposer: Linda May Han OhArtist: Linda May Han OhAlbum: The Glass HoursLabel: Biophilia RecordsTitle: ArchComposer: Vijay IyerArtist: Vijay Iyer, Tyshawn Sorey, Linda May Han OhAlbum: CompassionLabel: ECM 2760Technical production by Russell StapletonProduced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

This program contains strong language throughout. Before Madonna brought voguing into the limelight, the queer community had been quietly putting on balls and celebrating this form of expression since the 1970s. Far from the ballroom of waltzes and tangos, queer ballroom is an artform, a community, a form of protest and its very own genre of music. You might have seen the seminal documentary Paris is Burning, or seen ballroom referred to on RuPaul’s Drag Race, or seen the drama Pose – but even if ballroom is brand new to you, Australia’s unique queer community has created its very own style of ball – and the music you’ll hear there.You’ll hear from US “king of vogue” Dashaun Wesley, as well as local icons Xander Khoury (overall father of the House of Silky), DJ Mirasia (overall mother of the House of Silky), and multi-hyphenate artist Jamaica Moana.Thanks to ABC Arts for their interview with Jamaica Moana, featured in this episode.Technical production by Simon BranthwaiteThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Andrew Gurruwiwi leads the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band in what they call 'Yolŋu funk', a mix between reggae, heavy metal, and funk in language from across the region. Andrew tells us about his music-making, his career as a radio presenter, and explains the stories behind some of the tracks on the band's dynamic debut album, Sing Your Own Song."He basically invents the rules of jazz. He shows you 'this is how to play a solo, this is how to sing, this is how to phrase, this is how to tell a story, this is how to swing. Ok, this is jazz. And now I'm going to break all those rules.'" - Ricky Riccardi on Louis ArmstrongTowards the end of the 1960s Louis Armstrong's performances were hit-and-miss. Plagued by health issues and pushing 70, the veteran entertainer was determined to keep playing, singing and touring, despite calls from his doctors to slow down. But in 1968, with a burst of vitality, he performed for BBC TV with hits spanning his remarkable five decades in music. This included What A Wonderful World, a song that had made him a household name just weeks prior. The concert recording of Armstrong's "last great performance" has been rediscovered, and now released as live album Louis In London. Ricky Riccardi is Director of Research Collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and joins Andy to talk about the great trumpeter and why we're still talking about him over 50 years after his death.You can hear the Louis In London album in full on ABC Jazz program Jazztrack Live this Saturday 20 July at 4pm.Music heard in the program:Title: A Kiss To Build A Dream OnComposer: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein IIArtist: Louis ArmstrongAlbum: Louis In London Label: Verve 602465686128Title: Bare Necessities Composer: Bruce Reitherman and Phil HarrisArtist: Louis ArmstrongAlbum: Louis In London Label: Verve 602465686128Title: When It's Sleepy Time Down SouthComposer: Clarence Muse, Leon René and Otis RenéArtist: Louis ArmstrongAlbum: Louis In London Label: Verve 602465686128Title: Gatjumak (Dance Battle), Go To Sleep (The Legend of Ŋamini Baŋ Baŋ), Wata MäwiComposer: Andrew GurruwiwiArtist: Andrew Gurruwiwi BandAlbum: Sing Your Own SongLabel: Gaga MusicTechnical production by Simon BranthwaiteThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

First Nations listeners are advised that this program contains the names and voices of people who have died.At the start of NAIDOC Week, The Music Show explores the legacy of the late Ruby Hunter – short in stature, a giant in music, and a mentor and parental figure to so many First Nations musicians in subsequent generations. We’ll hear Ruby from the archives, and catch up with Emily Wurramara and Dan Sultan, both of whom have sung a tribute to Ruby Hunter alongside their fantastic new albums.Dan Sultan reunites with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra  to perform 12 & 13 July, before playing Yabaardu in Ceduna SA on 19 July.Emily Wurramara is performing at Live in the Gardens on 13 November.Music in this programTitle: Kurongk Boy, Kurongk GirlArtist: Ruby HunterAlbum: Thoughts WithinLabel: Mushroom – MUSH32309.2Title: Proud, Proud WomenArtist: Ruby HunterAlbum: Thoughts WithinLabel: Mushroom – MUSH32309.2Title: Midnight BluesArtist: Emily WurramaraComposer: Bed Edgar, Caiti Baker, Emily Blinter (Wurramara), James MangohigAlbum: NARALabel: ABC MusicTitle: Lordy LordyArtist:  Emily Wurramara, Tasman KeithComposer: Emily Blinter (Wurramara)Album: NARALabel: ABC MusicTitle: It’s OkayArtist:  Ruby HunterAlbum: Feeling GoodLabel: Mushroom – MUSH332672 Title: True LoversArtist:  Ruby HunterAlbum: Feeling GoodLabel: Mushroom – MUSH332672 Title: Nobody Knows Artist:  Dan SultanAlbum: BlackbirdLabel: Liberation Music – LMCD0238Title: Ringing in My Ears Artist:  Dan SultanComposer: Chris Collins, Dan Sultan, Joel QuartermainAlbum: Dan SultanLabel: Liberation Music – LRCD0040Title: Chance to Lose Control Artist:  Dan SultanComposer: Dan Sultan, Joel QuartermainAlbum: Dan SultanLabel: Liberation Music – LRCD0040Title: Sister YappaArtist: Ruby HunterRecorded live at WOMADelaide 1995Technical production by Russell StapletonProduced on Gadigal, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Gundungurra Country

Russian-American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya comes to Opera Australia to conduct Puccini’s Il trittico, a rare triptych of operas which span tragedy, farce, and religious fervour. Lidiya is at home with the operatic canon but she’s also conducted a swathe of new opera world premieres. She joins Andy to talk about finding the same passion for the music through new and old works.Three of India's most revered instrumentalists have formed trio Triveni. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain (who's played with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Béla Fleck) joins Kala Ramnath's singing violin and Jayanthi Kumaresh's Saraswathi veena. The musicians drop by the studio in the midst of a whirlwind Australian tour to talk about their shared language of improvisation and how they seamlessly blend North (Hindustani) and South (Carnatic) Indian musical traditions.Il trittico is on at the Sydney Opera House until 19 July. Triveni perform in Melbourne on Friday 5 July and Sydney on Sunday 7 July.Music in this program:Live concert recording: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore, India 2022Artist: Zakir Hussain - tabla, Jayanthi Kumaresh - veena, Kala Ramnath - violinTitle: O Mio Babbino Caro (from Gianni Schicchi)Composer: Giacomo PucciniArtist: Victoria De Los Angeles, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, conducted by Gabriele SantiniAlbum: The Very Best Of Victoria De Los AngelesLabel: EMI Classics 5 75888 2Title: Now, at the BeginningComposer: Ricky Ian Gordon, libretto Frank BidartArtist: Jennifer Zetlan, Nathan Gunn, Aeolus Quartet, Evan Premo, conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya Album: Ellen WestLabel: Shiny Bright ThingsTitle: Forty Days and Forty NightsComposer: Kamala Sankaram, libretto Jerry DyeArtist: Chicago Opera Theater, conducted by Lidiya YankovskayaAlbum: Taking Up SerpentsLabel: Chicago Opera Theater digital releaseLive concert recording: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore, India 2022Artist: Zakir Hussain - tabla, Jayanthi Kumaresh - veena, Kala Ramnath - violinTechnical production by Russell Stapleton and Richard GirvanProduced on Gadigal, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Gundungurra Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this program contains the names and voices of people who have died.Neal Peres Da Costa’s most recent recordings include a Mozart piano concerto and a Robert Schumann song cycle, each using a model of piano its composer would have recognised. But as he explains on today’s show, there’s much more to this music than getting the instrument right – there’s also the matter of historical style. Mozart would have expected his soloists to embellish their music and Schumann’s singers would have been more melodramatic than their modern counterparts. Can modern ears adjust to this? And... Croeso i Rhaglen Cerddoriaeth! Jenny M Thomas might be best known to Music Show audiences for her band Bush Gothic, but this time she’s back with The Côr of the Matter, a Welsh language choir based in Naarm/Melbourne. Jenny joins Andy to delve into the complex and contradictory darkness and warmth of Cymru/Wales and its culture.The late Ruby Hunter first performed in public at Bondi Pavilion in 1988, and an array of great artists are now coming together to that same venue to play tribute to her in a concert called Proud, Proud Woman. Emily Wurramara and Dan Sultan are part of it and talk about her legacy. Neal Peres Da Costa plays with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for a Night in Versailles, 5 – 14 July in Sydney and Melbourne.The Côr of the Matter performs at Melbourne Welsh Church on 6 JulyBush Gothic performs at Selby Folk Club on 5 July and at Port Lounge 23 AugustMusic heard in the show:Title: MyfanwyComposer: Joseph ParryArtist: Rhos Male Voice ChoirAlbum: Music from the Welsh Mines, Songs of Peace & GoodwillLabel: Moochin’ About Title: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K488; II. AdagioComposer: Wolfgang Amadeus MozartArtist: Neal Peres Da Costa, Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra/Rachael BeesleyAlbum: Heavenly MozartLabel: ABC Classics 197190404852Title: Dichterliebe, Op. 48; No. 1, Im wunderschönen Monat MaiComposer: Robert SchumannArtist: Koen van Stade, Neal Peres Da CostaAlbum: Schumann: DichterliebeLabel: Deux-Elles DXL1193Title: Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor (after Vivaldi), BWV1065 - II. LargoComposer: Johann Sebastian BachArtists: Kenneth Gilbert (harpsichord), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (harpsichord), Nicholas Kraemer (harpsichord), The English Concert/Trevor Pinnock (director/harpsichord)Album: JS Bach: The Concertos for 3 and 4 HarpsichordsLabel: DG Archiv 4000412Title: MyfanwyComposer: Joseph ParryArtist: Jenny M Thomas, The Côr of the MatterCourtesy of Jenny M ThomasTitle: Si hwi hwiComposer: Trad.Artist: Jenny M Thomas, The Côr of the MatterRehearsal recording courtesy of Jenny M ThomasTitle: Proud, Proud WomanArtist: Ruby HunterAlbum: Thoughts WithinLabel: White – MUSH32309.2Title: It’s OkayArtist: Ruby HunterAlbum: Feeling GoodLabel: Mushroom Records - MUSH332672Technical production by John Jacobs and Michelle BarryThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

British singer songwriter Grace Petrie has an EP called “There’s No Such Thing As A Protest Singer” – but if there was such a thing she would definitely be one of the preeminent ones. Her musical career started in the early years of the UK Conservative Party’s now 15 years in government, and she’s railed against injustice throughout those years. She’s on The Music Show to talk about hope, activism, and cynicism and to play live in studio.Unsound is a Polish festival with an adventurous spirit. Co-director Mat Schulz has made Adelaide Unsound's Australian home for the past ten years, and he joins us on The Music Show to talk about the genesis of the festival, the similarities between jazz and grimy electronica, and why he was accused of Satanism.Unsound Adelaide runs from 19 - 20 July at Dom Polski Centre, Adelaide SA.Grace Petrie tours Australia from 25 September to 4 October playing Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. More details here. Music heard in the show:Title: Pandemonium InstituteComposer: Lee GambleArtist: Lee GambleAlbum: Diversions 1994-1996 Label: IndependentTitle: King & Country Composer: Grace PetrieArtist: Grace PetriePerformed Live in The Music Show studioTitle: Fixer UpperComposer: Grace PetrieArtist: Grace PetrieAlbum: Build Something BetterLabel: The Robots Needs Home Collective TRNHC013Title: Black Tie Composer: Grace PetrieArtist: Grace PetriePerformed Live in The Music Show studioTitle: Our Good Deeds Will Lead to a Better Life for the Next GenerationComposer: TraditionalArtist: Yeshi, Bhutan BalladeersAlbum: Your Face Is Like the Moon, Your Eyes Are StarsLabel: IndependentTitle: CruisingComposer: Bendik GiskeArtist: Bendik GiskeAlbum: CracksLabel: Smalltown Supersound STS381Title: Yuangan (Dugong)Composer: Fred Leone, Sam PankhurstArtist: YirindaAlbum: YirindaLabel: Chapter Music CH187LPTitle: Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor (after Vivaldi), BWV1065 - II. LargoComposer: Johann Sebastian BachArtists: Kenneth Gilbert (harpsichord), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (harpsichord), Nicholas Kraemer (harpsichord), The English Concert/Trevor Pinnock (director/harpsichord)Album: JS Bach: The Concertos for 3 and 4 HarpsichordsLabel: DG Archiv 4000412Technical production by John Jacobs and Michelle BarryThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Land