PATTERNS OF PLANTS 2

植物文様

Music of Mamoru Fujieda

with traditional Japanese and Baroque music

Astra continues its collaboration with Japanese composer Mamoru Fujieda in Patterns of Plants 2 (植物文様), the latest chapter in this ongoing project. The program features new vocal arrangements by Fujieda and the debut of Astra's new chamber vocal ensemble, Astral Voices. Performances take place this June at the Hall at Northcote Uniting Church.

At the heart of the project is a cross-cultural ensemble bringing together musicians from Australia and Japan. Traditional Japanese instruments (koto and shō) are heard alongside early music instruments (viola da gamba, baroque violin and recorder). The result is a highly distinctive sound world, drawing on centuries of Japanese and European musical tradition.

These new multi-voice works by Fujieda, performed by Astral Voices, build on material created for this ensemble since 2023, including a 2025 Tasmanian tour. The program also draws on selections from Fujieda’s long-running Patterns of Plants series, as well as music spanning centuries and cultures — from Northern European baroque solos and duos to traditional Japanese repertoire.

Miyama McQueen-Tokita, koto & voice

Laura Vaughan, viola da gamba

Julia Fredersdorff, baroque violin

Brandon Lee, koto

Ryan Williams, recorders

Henry Liang, sho

Alexander Ritter, countertenor

with Astral Voices

Lily Flynn, soprano

Catrina Seiffert, soprano

Alexander Ritter, alto

Alex Gorbatov, tenor

Directed by Andrew Byrne

Doors open - 5:00PM and 7:30PM respectively; drinks available for purchase before and after the performance.

Contact the host of Patterns of Plants 2