Brenda Gifford and Ensemble Offspring – Wadhu/Skin

Witness the world premiere of Wadhu/Skin, Brenda Gifford’s award-winning 2023 Merlyn Myer Music Commission.

Witness the world premiere of Brenda Gifford’s award-winning 2023 Merlyn Myer Music Commission piece, Wadhu/Skin, as it takes audiences on an immersive and thought-provoking journey through music, language, and storytelling. With a creative lineage spanning over 60,000 years, Gifford is an acclaimed composer whose music is culturally influenced by her beloved Yuin Country, the Australian environment, and its seasonal changes.

About the concert

Joined by the esteemed Ensemble Offspring, this collaboration presents an authentic and poignant performance as it delves into the intricate web of human connection. Composed for flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, piano and percussion, Gifford’s vision comes to life in a dynamic and innovative concert experience. Wadhu/Skin invites listeners to explore and appreciate the depths of cultural heritage. Illuminating the interconnectedness of human experience.

This presentation will be the fifth Merlyn Myer Music Commission, an initiative established in memory of Dame Merlyn Myer to support female composers in Australia. This prestigious commission offers a unique opportunity for a selected composer to create and present the premiere performance of a new musical work.

The 2023 Merlyn Myer Commission was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Aranday Foundation and the Yulgilbar Foundation.