Bach Akademie Australia’s Bach A Child of the Stars series gathers music and astronomy in a sweep of astutely chosen repertoire.

Inspired by the concept of the Morning Star linking time, space and place, founding Artistic Director and leader of the ensemble Madeleine Easton creates a program that evokes the majesty, anticipation and arrival of a redemptive God. Easton leads an eight-voice choir and 14 period instrumentalists in this engaging collection which includes a new commission from Indigenous composer Troy Russell, entitled Clans.

Under a projection of the shimmering ‘Emu in the sky’ constellation, the program opens with the Sinfonia from JS Bach’s Cantata BWV 182, Himmelskönig, sei willkommen. Written in the style of a French overture, Easton and Mikaela Oberg on the recorder, crisply dot and delicately phrase and ornament this elegant dialogue with the string ensemble in an ambulating pizzicato accompaniment.

Bach Akademie Australia in the Great Hall, Sydney University. Photo supplied

The four part-choir unfolds the sinuous polyphony of Tomás Luis de Victoria’s classic 1572 motet, O Magnum Mysterium with clarity and a fluid blend. Directed by Easton, the ensemble maintains momentum as the mood builds...