The Musica Viva Festival returns 9th - 12th April at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Concert 3 Program:
BRYARS Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
In 1971, British composer Gavin Bryars was working on a documentary film about homeless people living in London. Among the people he recorded was an old man singing a religious song 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet'. Listening at home later, Bryars improvised a simple accompaniment to the first 13 bars of the man's singing - which later evolved into this 25 minute concert work. The recorded song is repeated throughout, but the instrument and the harmonies change. Bryars was 'convinced of the emotional power of the music... and a simple, though gradually evolving accompaniment that respected the tramp's nobility and simple faith. Although he died before he could hear what I had done with his singing, the piece remains as an eloquent, but understated testminony to his spirit and optimism.'
This special performance involves most of the Festival artists, and images from the exhibition 'Through Your Eyes' (2008): photographs taken by homeless people in Sydney of each other and their surroundings.
| Conservatorium Road | |
| Sydney | |
| +61 2 9351 2222 |