Named after the wildflower season of Gariwerd, Petyan Quartet is a compelling ensemble of Yidaki, flute, viola and harp. The ensemble was formed by harpist, artistic director and concert curator Jacinta Dennett in 2021, and under her direction has performed to sell-out audiences across Victoria, including the Melba Hall Lunch Hour Concert Series in 2022, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival in 2023 and Music at the McClelland Series in 2024.
The ensemble consists of contemporary music trailblazers Amos Roach a proud Gunditjmara, Djab Wurrung and Ngarrandjerri man, Johanna Selleck, William Murray and Jacinta Dennett.
Petyan Quartet’s current program Connection is an art music pilgrimage inspired by Country, where evocative Australian soundscapes sit beautifully alongside self-confessed nature lover Claude Debussy’s enduring wonderland dreamscape, Deuxieme Sonate for flute, viola and harp, as inspiration and timeless reflections on the natural world.
Drawing on his proud Gunditjmara, Djab Wurrung and Ngarrandjerri heritage, Roach leads the way into the first part of this pilgrimage singing Ruby Hunter’s Welcome To All People. Continuing with his healing Songline The Six Seasons, Roach traverses the Indigenous seasons of Gariwerd through the soundscape of the Yidaki.
A collaboration between Roach and Murray titled Balliyang: Flying-fox: Bat recounts the creation story of the Kulin nation whilst Selleck’s HOON! Black Cockatoo continues the exploration of the natural sound world through the playful dialogue of the full ensemble with field recordings of birdsong compiled by ornithologist Graeme Chapman. Djagamara for flute and harp by composer and proud Dharug man, Chris Sainsbury, is a reflective tribute and celebration of the fulfilment of life.
Connection provides a captivating prism through which we contemplate the timelessness of Country and belonging amidst Australia’s physical and psychological landscape.
A newly commissioned work by composer and sound artist Miriama Young will be given its premiere in 2025.
