Violinist María Dueñas and percussionist Claire Edwardes

Spanish violinist María Dueñas makes her Australian debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Signed to Deutsche Grammophon since she was nineteen, her distinctive style of playing, her expressiveness, and her youth have all captured audiences. She talks to Andy about embracing canonical repertoire like Beethoven, and new music like the work she's premiered by Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. 

Claire Edwardes is an old friend of the show: one of Australia's pre-eminent percussionists, a composer, and the artistic director of new music group Ensemble Offspring, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Her new album, Dual Attractor, is a celebration of marimba and vibraphone, as well as the music of women composers and arrangers... and it ends with a bang. 

María Dueñas performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra March 13 & 14, and with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra March 19, 20, & 21. 

Claire Edwardes launches Dual Attractor in Melbourne, Amsterdam, Adelaide, and Canberra between now and July. 

Asteroid Ekosystem launch Sounds Have Dreams in Sydney 20 & 21 March.