A ‘Plug’ For The Gamba -The Marais Project Goes Electric

Through 2014,  viola da gambist, Jenny Eriksson and her ensemble The Marais Project have been celebrating 15 years of continuous music making. The theme for The Marais Project’s anniversary year is Re-imaginings, a concept which has shaped their concerts for the year driving a ‘re-imagining’ of the viola da gamba in a range of contexts. This all comes to an innovative climax at the October performance, the final one for 2014, which is also called Re-imaginings.

Along with music for the conventional viola da gamba and harpsichord, Re-Imaginings will see the formal debut of Jenny’s Ruby Electric Viola da Gamba, pictured above, which is believed to be the only instrument of its kind in Australia. The audience at this concert will be able to hear the electric gamba, meticulously hand-crafted in Holland, in company with the acoustic original. 

Jennifer’s collaborators in this concert include jazz musicians and composers, Matt McMahon, Paul Cutlan and Siebe Pogson as well as harpsichordist Raymond Harvey.  

The programme features music by Marin Marais and several world premieres, which include a new suite for viola da gamba and harpsichord by Paul Cutlan, a new work for electric viola da gamba and piano by Matt McMahon, a new piece for electric viola da gamba and bass guitar by Jenny’s son, Siebe Pogson and several new arrangements by Matt McMahon.

The performers: Matt McMahon – composer and keyboards/ Paul Cutlan – composer and bass clarinet/ Raymond Harvey – harpsichord/ Siebe Pogson – composer and bass guitar/ Jennifer Eriksson – viola da gamba and Ruby Electric Gamba.