A celebration of music
"Though Compassion draws from the languages and cultural richness of two worlds, the overriding theme of the work is the wisdom and universality of compassion."
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and FOJAM will host A Night of Compassion, showcasing a range of musical talent, on Thursday, September 29.
With the MSO, Lior, Nigel Westlake, Emma Donovan, Paul Grabowsky, Billie Tumarkin and Alex Burkoy, the evening features an array of talented musicians and composers.
Composer Westlake and singer-songwriter Lior first debuted their award-winning song Compassion eight years ago and will reunite at the Melbourne Town Hall.
The song was created after the tragic death of Westlake’s son and is a meeting of contemporary and classical music.
The work draws on ancient Hebrew and Arabic poems, proverbs and texts that provide insights into a world struggling with divisiveness and how the main tenets of compassion can provide relief to this tension.
“Though Compassion draws from the languages and cultural richness of two worlds, the overriding theme of the work is the wisdom and universality of compassion,” said Lior.
“To be joined by other artists on the night performing in different languages and drawing from other cultures gives this concert an even more expansive outlook and is a large part of the reason why I am so looking forward to teaming up with the MSO and FOJAM for A Night of Compassion.”
Conducted by Westlake, A Night of Compassion also features Emma Donovan, Paul Grabowsky, Billie Tumarkin and Alex Burkoy in a program of original music and works that address themes of compassion and healing.
Pianist and MSO composer in residence Grabowsky and acclaimed Indigenous soul vocalist Donovan will perform a selection of songs from their most recent country and gospel collaboration, The Old Rugged Cross.
Classically trained, Ukrainian-Jewish-Australian duo, singer Tumarkin and multi-instrumentalist Burkoy will also perform.
Compassion’s world premiere at the Sydney Opera House spent over 10 weeks at #1 on the ARIA Classical Charts and received the 2014 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album.
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