Wednesday Lunchtime Concert: Smoky Salons

Smokey Salons

On Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 12.40 to 1.20pm, the Wesley Lunchtime concert series presents violinist/violist John Ma and pianist Marie Searles in very different guise from their Baroque personas as Apeiron NOT-Baroque. Their concert title reflects the program’s tango and "salon" music, including works by Debussy, Sculthorpe, Granados, Mendelssohn and Piazolla – much of which might be heard in a dark, smoke-filled dive or salon in the wee night hours, with an audience nursing drinks and a solitary pair of dancers or a violinist/pianist duo playing popular tunes.

Apeiron Baroque was launched in 2022 by Early Music specialists, John Ma and Marie Searles. Honing their skills in European concert halls over nearly two decades, they returned to Canberra to reconnect with family and share their knowledge and experience with Australian colleagues and audiences. Taking cues from music genres such as pub bands, jazz, and folk, Apeiron aims to present high-quality concerts that are honest, raw and passionate in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Repertoire is from the early Baroque (c.1700) to the early Romantic (c.1850) and performed on period instruments in historically appropriate styles. Performances are entertaining, informative and accessible to all ages and backgrounds. No need to fear the experience and unspoken etiquette of a classical concert hall!

John Ma has performed around the world including with Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra (NL), Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (UK), Academia Montis Regalis (IT), Bach Collegium Japan (JP), Musica Poetica (NL), Apollo Ensemble (NL), Fantasticus (NL), New Collegium (NL), Collegium 1704 (CZ), Helsinki Baroque Orchestra (FIN), B'Rock (BG), and the Trondheim Baroque Orchestra (NOR). In Australia, John appears regularly with groups such as Pinchgut Opera, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Australian Haydn Ensemble, Australian Bach Akademie, Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra, Salut!Baroque, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia Australis.

Marie Searles is a pianist and fortepianist with a particular love for chamber music and accompaniment. In Australia, Marie studied with two of the leading authorities in chamber music, Suzanne Powell and David Miller. She developed an engaging and sensitive approach to collaborative playing, which saw her winning awards and competitions alongside her performing colleagues. After relocating to the Netherlands, Marie broadened into Early Music and fortepiano at the Koninklijke Conservatorium of Den Haag under Bart van Oort. Explored dance accompaniment, Marie participated in an intensive summer course for ballet pianists in London under Nicki Williamson, pianist for the Royal and English Ballet.