Nat Bartsch: Hope

During 2020, neo-romantic Melbourne pianist/composer Nat Bartsch responded to the Black Summer bushfires and the extended Covid-19 lockdowns by writing her ARIA-nominated ABC Classic album, Hope. Exploring the space between hopefulness and hopelessness, she created a suite of chamber music pieces for piano, string quartet and electronics. The album was recorded as soon as restrictions lifted, in small spaces around Melbourne with fellow pianist/co-producer Luke Howard. The result is a beautiful album that both acknowledges our collective struggles and grief through the pandemic, and inspires healing, patience and optimism for the future.

Nat returns to The Street to perform Hope in collaboration with Canberra Strings some of the ACT region’s top professional string players dedicated to the performance of string chamber music, led by TSO concertmaster and Aria Award winner Barbara Jane Gilby as first violinist. 

“You feel as if she’s opening her heart and speaking via the keyboard to you personally. Not a single note is false” (Textura) 

“Soothing and life affirming.” (A Closer Listen)

 “by the time the ensemble reached the concluding title track, the audience was collectively breathing more deeply. Listening to Bartsch’s music is akin to feel a reassuring hand resting on one’s shoulder. It’s music that invites contemplation, and that radiates tenderness, empathy – and, yes, hope.” (Jessica Nicholas, The Age)

Nat Bartsch - piano, electronics
Canberra Strings:
Barbara Jane Gilby & Pip Thompson (violins)
Lucy Carrigy-Ryan (viola)
James Munro (cello)

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Street Three | Unreserved | Duration 60 Minutes
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