Review: 10 Years
My first experience of the musical advocacy and talents of the Muses Trio was the memorable 2016 Spirit and the Maiden event at Boggo Road Gaol, also featuring principal artists Louise King (cello), Therese Milanovic (piano), and Christa Powell (violin). I was therefore absolutely delighted to see that the 2025 Anywhere Festival program included two special performances of music from the 2024 Muses Trio CD, 10 Years, at the fantastic Woolloongabba Brisbane Latvian Hall.
As a celebration of the first ten or so years of the musical Muses Trio journey, the collection features music that is composed by women, and is frequently written specifically for/commissioned by the Muses Trio. If you could not get to the concerts, I recommend checking out 10 Years. And perhaps also ‘follow’ the Muses Trio to find out when they are next onstage, as the experience of live performance—particularly when each piece is introduced with stories about the commission, composer, or memories of the artists—takes the music to a different level.
With composers whose work spans a wide range of genres—including classical, chamber, jazz, big band, and movie soundtracks—the 75 minutes flew by. I enjoyed every moment, but my three personal favourites were written by Louise Denson, by Nat Bartsch, and by Ella Macens. I was completely enthralled by Jazz pianist and composer Louise Denson’s sketches—particularly the lyrical Procession. Under the Thinking Tree, by ARIA-nominated composer and pianist Nat Bartsch, was made even more special after hearing Louise King’s introduction, which helped me to understand how the work explores the three steps or process of moving from introspection, through to thinking about a concept, and then finally getting to the point of arrival. Equally, hearing about the inspiration for Ella Macens’ The Brightest Star in the Night, commissioned by the Peteris Vasks Fund, only added to my experience of this moving piece.
Picture (L to R): Louise King (cello), Christa Powell (violin), and Therese Milanovic (piano). NOT a Creative Futures Photography image.
At the end of the show, which concluded with Elena Kats-Chernin’s powerful Solitudes, commissioned by Therese’s parents Mary and Alex Milanovic, Therese Milanovic spoke about the importance of such new musical commissions, and also how audiences might consider taking part. Established in 2023, Muses Inc is an Association in Queensland encompassing the management of Muses Trio as performing and recording artists, and advocates for music by women. Now also a registered charity, Muses Inc accepts tax-deductible donations to support the commission of new work by new and established Australian female composers. There is clearly a long way to go, and I look forward to seeing how the numbers change in the Muses Trio 20, 30, 40, and 50 Years performances!
Audience information: 10 Years, Brisbane Latvian Hall, 24 Church Avenue, Woolloongabba (2 August 2025, shows at 4:30pm and 7pm). Tickets $30-$45. PG. 75 minutes.
The reviewer attended the 2 August 2025 matinee (4:30pm) performance.