48 Colours of the Full Moon
Kama, Avidya, Karma & Vidya The Unmanifested
Red Kama (2023) 6'
Flute, clarinet, vibraphone, violin, cello
Moon of Desire
The eclipsed moon is a mysterious entity. There was a time when it was thought to represent all that is inauspiciousness, a time in the cycle where the moon was devoured by demons. The Red Moon is the one that reveals to us our deepest most private desires. When our desires are fulfilled, our hearts have their fill of red.
Silver Avidya (2023) 6'
Flute, Bass Clarinet, Marimba, Large Gong, Cymbal, Triangle, Wood Blocks, Wind Chimes, Violin, Cello
Moon of Ignorance
The middle of the night is a time of deep sleep. We are embraced by the dark. It is said that at this time, the night creatures of our mind pay us a visit. There is no way our conscious mind can grasp or comprehend the absurdity of late night games. But one thing is certain - the shimmering light of the silver moon likes to shine on our allusive minds. Our subconscious has no choice but to come and play.
Undulating Forces for String Quartet (2023)
Movement I
Undulating Forces for String Quartet (2023)
Movement II
MADRE (2024)
(The First Seven Poems)
Poetry by Jessica Chapnik Kahn
MADRE is a very personal exploration of the mysterious unfolding of becoming a mother. This raw collection of poems and drawings honour the mystical process of creation, transformation and expansion. They are never far from the grief inherent in joy, as well as the inseparable nature of birth and death.
1. First Music
2. The Altar of Love
3. The Loneliness is Deep
4. Mornings is the Most Compassionate Time
5. Kol'D Mama
6. Divine Light
7. Mother, you the First Guru
Jessica Chapnik Kahn is an Argentinian-Australian writer, actor and singer-songwriter. She has appeared in plays, films and TV, worked with some of Australia's finest musicians, as well as releasing two solo albums under the moniker Appleonia. She is the author of children's book Lenny and the Ants and poetry collection MADRE, and co-author of the biography A Repurposed Life, which was nominated for an ABIA award for Biography Book of the Year 2021.
Bio
Anna was captivated by Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Beethoven’s 6th Symphony from as early as she can remember. Growing up in Sydney Australia, Anna gave nothing less than her all to music, diligently studying the piano, French Horn and singing with the Australian Children’s Choir throughout her childhood and teenage years.
After completing her degree in music composition at the University of Sydney, Anna moved to England where she began exploring Eastern philosophy and music. She studied Classical Hindustani music on the Tabla, Hindustani voice and learnt to play the Harmonium. She toured with the Middle Eastern band Rivers of Babylon playing darbuka and other percussion.
Now residing in Sydney as a mother of 2, Anna has completed the accompanying musical works for the poetry book MADRE, written by Jessica Chapnik Kahn. These works are a companion piece for the poems and are written for choir and vocal soloists.
After a long break, Anna has had a revival of music making having written a series of compositions over the period of 2023-2024 that include 2 string quartets, a chamber ensemble work, A minor orchestral piece, and choral music.
2025 will be an exciting year for Anna’s work. She has been awarded a small grant from Shalom College for her work Amidah A Silent Prayer, a grant to write a song cycle for solo soprano and chamber ensemble for the group Hourglass Ensemble, and her premiere of MADRE.
Anna still pursues the charm of the magic flute that all these years later continues to show her the power inherent in music and the human capacity to overcome obstacles at all costs.