Last year, Yolŋu songman Daniel Wilfred performed across Europe and the UK with the Australian Art Orchestra. When he returned home to Ngukurr in southern Arnhem Land, there was no rest for the weary.
“We went to a lot of places, a lot of countries, meeting people, making new friends, sharing. When I go home, I never stop! I just keep going and singing; I’m teaching new generations to learn about this song and keep it alive. We go forwards,” he says.
Daniel Wilfred. Photo © Sarah Walker
I’m talking with Daniel on a biting coastal night on Easter Sunday in Bermagui, a few hours after he’d brought the Four Winds Festival to a thrilling conclusion with a performance of WATA, an intercultural, orchestral blaze showcasing the heights of Australian art music. I’d met him months before in the same town when he led the Australian Art Orchestra’s Creative Music Intensive, sharing his knowledge with a group of eager musicians. It was one of the most remarkable musical experiences I’ve ever had.
“I love to share the stories and the culture and the lore, to bring the lore alive....
Comments
Log in to join the conversation.