This intimate cello and piano recital bring together a collection of evocative works by living Australian composers, tracing a journey through light, landscape, spirit, and elemental force. Performed by James Larsen (cello) and Andrew Rumsey (piano), the program celebrates the extraordinary breadth of contemporary Australian composition—music that is lyrical, atmospheric, and deeply connected to the landscapes and stories that shape our identity.

From the quiet introspection of Sally Greenaway's Poems and the luminous optimism of The Sky is Also Yours, the program unfolds through music of reflection and wonder. Lachlan Skipworth's Ode distils expression into elegant simplicity, while Kenneth Lampl's Mirrored from Far Away offers shifting perspectives that feel expansive, cinematic, and quietly melancholic.

As the journey deepens, Alicia Grant's Night Spell casts an atmosphere of mystery and enchantment before Ross Edwards' Valley Spirit evokes the ancient pulse of the Australian landscape, where rhythm, nature, and spirit become inseparable. Elena Kats-Chernin's much-loved Eliza's Aria provides a moment of lyrical tenderness, allowing the cello to sing with warmth and intimacy before the program reaches its powerful conclusion.

David Pereira's Wildfire for Cello and Piano close the afternoon with exhilarating intensity. Urgent, raw, and elemental, it captures both the destructive force and regenerative spirit of fire, bringing the program's emotional and musical journey to a compelling close.

Together, these works form a vivid portrait of Australia's contemporary musical voice—reflective yet adventurous, grounded yet expansive. Light, Land, and Fire is an invitation to experience classical music as a living art form: deeply expressive, unmistakably Australian, and resonant with the landscapes, memories, and emotions of our own time.

About Andrew Rumsey
Australian pianist Andrew Rumsey enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer, educator, and arts advocate. He has appeared in recital and chamber performances across Australia and internationally, with performances in China, Italy, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States, and making his Carnegie Hall debut in New York in 2017. Equally committed to the development of contemporary repertoire, Andrew frequently collaborates with living composers and curates programs that explore the evolving voice of classical music today. He has served as an Artistic Associate at the Banff Centre in Canada, deepening his engagement with international artistic communities. In addition to his performing career, Andrew is an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board. His playing is recognised for its clarity, tonal warmth, and thoughtful musical storytelling.

About James Larsen
Cellist James Larsen has established himself as a leading chamber musician and soloist, performing at festivals throughout Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and the United States. A central figure in Sydney’s chamber music scene, he is the cellist of the NOMAD String Quartet and is widely respected for his rich tone and deeply expressive playing. As a founding member of the Geist String Quartet, James was awarded the Llewelyn Travel Scholarship, Westheimer Fellowship, and Mary Valentine Prize, and undertook studies with Eberhard Feltz, the Kuss Quartet, and the Elias Quartet across Europe and North America. His additional honours include the Ruth Pfanner Cello Scholarship and the Margot Lewin Prize. Alongside his performing career, James is a dedicated educator and chamber music mentor, currently serving as Head of Strings at MLC School in Sydney.