Taken - listening to Australia's Stolen Generations

Weve had the national apology, and now the real work begins. Reconciliation includes remembering our past. And remembering means listening. In this collaboration with Lafe Charlton and Roxanne McDonald, Topology and the Southern Cross Soloists listen to the voices of indigenous Australians as they perform Taken, by composers Robert Davidson and Paul Dean, to accompany stories from the Bringing Them Home report and interviews with Aunty Ruth Hegarty. Aunty Ruth tells stories of separation from her mother at the Cherbourg Mission, as told in her award-winning book, Is that you Ruthie?.

People will listen to Taken as a milestone, appreciating its art, and its politics. It leaves its dazed audience gasping for breath. - The Australian

Category:

Music

Tags:

• stolen generations
• reconciliation
• prosody
• intonation
• aboriginal
• indigenous
• composition
• chamber music

[Kookaburra1327]

Great!!!!!



[topologyrob]

@Kookaburra1327 Thanks! It's a draining show - the stories are so incredibly sad.

[Kookaburra1327]

@topologyrob Yes, they are indeed!!! I'm living in Australia 2 years now and I know about the Stolen Generations. My partner is Aboriginal and I feel really sad and upset when I hear or read stories like that. So, my enthusiastic comment is due to the artistic aspect of this very moving performance! I would like to know if there is more to watch. Have a nice evening!

[topologyrob]

@Kookaburra1327 Very glad you liked it. We do have the whole show on video but have not had the chance to get all the permissions from all the performers to upload it. It could happen soon though.

[magpiemayo]

Fantastic!!!

[Seigaihart]

A very powerful moving arrangement of music and voice.