Barton & Brodsky (William Barton with Brodsky Quartet)

The pairing of incomparable didgeridoo/yidaki virtuoso William Barton together with the musicians of the Brodsky Quartet is a sensational combination resulting in a musical feast for audiences. The project unites icons of the classical canon with Barton’s own music, alongside Andrew Ford’s quartet written during the bushfires of late 2019. Australian composer Peter Sculthorperesonates alongside New Zealand’s Salina Fisher and Brisbane’s own Robert Davidson, with Janáček and Stravinsky keeping the energy and excitement of this remarkable program high from start to finish.

William Barton is Australia’s most celebrated didgeridoo artist. The sounds he creates from this apparently simple, elemental instrument are extraordinary; his performances generating awe. His virtuosity has earned him the honour of performing with prestigious orchestras that include the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle.

With over 50 years of music making to their credit, Britain’s Brodsky Quartet are phenomenal collaborators, joining forces with artists such as Elvis Costello, Björk, Dawn Upshaw and Katie Noonan. The Brodskys, who for a long time have been enthusiastic advocates of Sculthorpe’s quartets, fulfilled their long time wish to perform with William Barton through several collaborations in recent years, including a hugely successful tour of New Zealand.