MotherSong*, MotherLand

A poetic and musical response to motherhood and migration, longing and belonging, seeking connection to people, culture and place. *(Previously titled MotherTongue, MotherLand.)

MotherSong, MotherLand is a multi-faceted piece that draws on improvisation and a deep sharing of stories and musical traditions. During and between lockdowns a group of musicians, from very different cultural backgrounds, gathered to collaborate on creating a poetic response to motherhood, migration, longing and belonging. Some were stranded, dislocated and isolated from family, and the process had a powerful effect, emotionally and in broadening each woman’s creativity.  The music is restless and exploratory, with language and traditional instruments finding new ways of expression in difficult times. The act of improvisation itself is transient and ephemeral, aptly echoing the impermanence of belonging, migration and motherhood. Despite the transience inherent in the work there is a strong sense of connection in MotherSong, MotherLand – connection across generations, across cultures and across musical languages.

Sunny Kim's powerful voice anchors the ensemble’s sound, blending eclectic influences of jazz, and traditional Korean singing.

Aviva Endean expands the ensemble’s soundscape with clarinets and invented woodwind instruments, crafting unexpected layers and textures.

Mindy Meng Wang plays the Chinese guzheng with bold textures and innovative techniques, creating a sound that bridges ancient traditions and contemporary expression.

Gelareh Pour plays the Iranian bowed string instruments: kamancheh and qeychak. She reimagines the kamancheh, often described as the soulful voice of Persian classical music, as both a storyteller and a sonic adventurer.

“We began by talking.  We talked about loss, about motherhood, about our own mothers, our homelands, and the intense longing felt by those of us who had left behind birthplaces, with languages and cultures as the backdrop to daily lives.  We interviewed our mothers, in our mother tongues, Mandarin, Farsi, Korean and English. 

We listened intently to the interviews — absorbing rather than interrogating and when we came together to compose, the result was a disquieting yet riveting 53-minute piece for instruments, song and spoken voice that seamlessly amalgamated the background and personal experiences of each of us.” 
- Sunny Kim

“Sunny Kim's gentle, generous artistry is balm for our times. She invites us into her radiant, powerful creations with intelligence and care.”
– Genevieve Lacey, artistic director Finding Our Voice

Commissioned by Sydney Opera House and presented in association with UKARIA and Finding Our Voice. Supported by UKARIA  and the Australian Government's RISE Fund.