Salon Music, Reimagined
Ensemble Offspring’s Bold Take on an Intimate Tradition
Ensemble Offspring’s upcoming Avant Gardens: Double Symmetry concert, featuring the virtuosic performances of Véronique Serret (violin) and Blair Harris (cello), offers a fresh and intimate take on the tradition of salon music. Set in the beautiful homes of our cherished friends and welcome to all, this bold contemporary program invites guests to experience music up close and personal, just as it was enjoyed centuries ago. Before we step into these special performances, let’s take a moment to explore the rich history behind this enduring and much-loved format.
Artistic Director and Percussionist Claire Edwardes talking to audience after an Avant Gardens concert.
When and where did salon music originate?
To understand salon music, we journey back to the bustling salons of Paris in the 17th and 18th centuries. These gatherings brought together carefully selected guests to discuss ideas, philosophy, and the arts, all masterfully steered by a host- the salonnière. At their heart, salons celebrated truth, beauty, harmony and intellectual freedom, offering a space where conversation and creativity could flourish.
For many female artists in particular, salons provided a rare platform to share their talents in a semi-public setting- and often it was the salonnière herself who organised and hosted private concerts. These women wielded remarkable power over cultural tastes of the time, acting as the original influencers, tastemakers and connectors. Their endorsement could launch careers, and their networks were essential for writers, composers and artists striving for success.
By the 19th century, the rise of the upper-middle class in France ushered in a new chapter of salon culture, particularly for musicians. In the grand drawing rooms of Paris, performers, composers and thinkers gathered for intimate performances that helped shape Europe's musical landscape. Sundays became synonymous with elegant afternoons of lighter, romantic music, featuring composers like Schubert, Schumann, Liszt and Mendelssohn. Chopin himself preferred the comfort and familiarity of a salon audience, finding large public performances overwhelming.
Salon music has always celebrated the special connection between host, performer and listener- a space where bold ideas and new sounds could be explored with a curious and supportive audience. It’s this spirit of intimacy, creativity and shared discovery that Ensemble Offspring honours today, offering a fresh, contemporary take on this centuries-old tradition through Avant Gardens: Double Symmetry.
Why is salon music still relevant today?
(Left to right) Lamorna Nightingale, Claire Edwardes and Jason Noble performing at an Avant Gardens concert.
At its heart, the spirit of the salon concert (an intimate gathering centred around bold artistic ideas) is just as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
Salon concerts offer a relaxed, welcoming environment where artists can share adventurous new work with curious, supportive audiences. Unlike the often intimidating formality of the traditional concert hall, the salon nurtures close connections between performers and listeners, attracting a broader and more diverse crowd.
Importantly, today’s salon experiences aren’t reserved for the connected or elite. Anyone can purchase a ticket and step into a warm, friendly setting where audiences and artists mingle, share conversations about the performance, and enjoy some delicious refreshments along the way. Ensemble Offspring embraces this ‘music with friends’ approach, adapting the traditional format to create meaningful, memorable experiences for all.
And as we’ve seen in recent years - especially during the covid lockdowns, when live performances streamed straight into our homes - the spirit of the salon continues to evolve, finding new ways to bring people and music together.
What can you expect at Ensemble Offspring’s Avant Gardens concert?
At Ensemble Offspring, we cherish the intimacy that salon concerts offer- bringing people together in a relaxed and welcoming environment where everyone can feel a genuine connection to the music. Avant Gardens captures the spirit of a perfect afternoon gathering: intimate, inspiring and full of discovery. Our upcoming Double Symmetry concert showcases the incredible talents of Véronique Serret and Blair Harris, who reveal just how much richness and depth a violin and cello alone can create- a true synergy and symmetry in sound. Their program of duets and solos takes audiences on a vivid emotional journey, exploring dramatic contrasts: light and shadow, smooth tonality and daring dissonance, power and delicacy, lyrical flow and rhythmic drive.
Rowlee Wines, proud partner of Ensemble Offspring.
Expect a thrilling musical ride, from the fierce atonality of Erkki-Sven Tüür’s Synergie, to the shimmering beauty of Kaija Saariaho’s Aure, and the magnetic push and pull of Jörg Widmann’s Duos. Holly Harrison’s imaginative solo piece for Véronique channels the spirit of Neptune with flashes of bluegrass fiddle and heavy metal guitar, while an early work by Iannis Xenakis brings the duo together for a rousing, folk-inspired finale in the spirit of Bartók.
These special concerts are held in the beautiful private homes of our generous supporters, with exact addresses shared the week of the event via a pre-concert email. When you arrive, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the Ensemble Offspring team. Throughout the performance, Véronique and Blair will share stories and insights into the works, deepening your connection to the music. After the final note, we invite you to stay for a relaxed chat with the musicians, composers and hosts over a glass (or two!) of Rowlee Wines Cuvée and a spread of delicious treats.
Ensemble Offspring will be performing the Double Symmetry program in Sydney (Alexandria and Glebe) and Melbourne (Tempo Rubato).
Tickets to our Avant Gardens concerts often sell out quickly, so be sure to secure your seats today by visiting this link!
