Compassion

Contemporary Music/Song Cycle

COMPASSION

Nigel Westlake and Lior

Compassion is a gift to a world struggling with divisiveness and conflict

Compassion is a collaboration between two treasured Australian artists, the celebrated composer of films and symphonies Nigel Westlake and the acclaimed, luminous-voiced performer Lior.

“At times pulsating and riotous, at others reflective and textural, (Compassion) draws upon the myriad of influences the two of us bring from our incredibly diverse backgrounds. With the utmost respect, we have tried to imbue the ancient texts with a contemporary interpretation, adhering to the purity of a single voice and orchestra.” – Nigel Westlake

In collaboration Lior and Westlake drew from the rich worlds of Judaism and Islam to create a collection of profound and poetic messages around the idea of compassion. Commissioned by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Westlake’s music is set to ancient texts in both Hebrew and Arabic. Its universality is undeniable – Compassion is a gift to a world struggling with divisiveness and conflict.

Led by the work’s creators, the orchestra is made up of some of the stars of Australia’s classical music world, including players from the Goldner String Quartet, and members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellowship, with Sydney Symphony Principal Percussion Rebecca Lagos, Stefan Cassomenos on piano, Rohan Dasika on double bass, and members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Liisa Pallandi (violin) and Timo-Veikko Valve (cello).