Austral Harmony is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2012 in Sydney, Australia. The ensemble is known for its unique blend of early music and contemporary works, and has gained a reputation for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. The founding members of Austral Harmony were soprano Amy Moore, baritone David Greco, and lutenist Tommie Andersson. All three musicians had extensive experience performing early music, and were passionate about exploring the connections between early and contemporary music. From the beginning, Austral Harmony set out to create programs that would showcase the diversity and richness of early music, while also highlighting its relevance to contemporary audiences. The ensemble's repertoire includes works from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, as well as contemporary works that draw on early music traditions. One of the highlights of Austral Harmony's early career was its performance at the 2013 Sydney Festival. The ensemble presented a program titled "The Art of Love," which explored the theme of love in early music. The program included works by composers such as Monteverdi, Dowland, and Purcell, as well as contemporary works by Australian composers. The ensemble's performance was widely praised for its virtuosity and sensitivity, and helped to establish Austral Harmony as one of Australia's leading early music ensembles. The ensemble went on to perform at a number of other festivals and venues throughout Australia, including the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Adelaide Festival. In 2015, Austral Harmony released its debut album, "Love's Illusion," which featured works by Monteverdi, Dowland, and other early music composers. The album was well-received by critics, who praised the ensemble's "exquisite" performances and "impeccable" musicianship. Since then, Austral Harmony has continued to perform and record extensively, collaborating with a wide range of musicians and composers. The ensemble has also been recognized with a number of awards and honors, including the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2018. One of the most notable aspects of Austral Harmony's work is its commitment to exploring the connections between early and contemporary music. The ensemble has commissioned a number of new works from Australian composers, many of which draw on early music traditions in innovative ways. For example, in 2017, Austral Harmony premiered a new work by composer Elena Kats-Chernin titled "Love and Other Demons." The work was inspired by the music of the Baroque period, but also incorporated elements of contemporary popular music and jazz. The ensemble's performance of "Love and Other Demons" was widely praised for its energy and creativity, and helped to demonstrate the ongoing relevance of early music traditions in contemporary music. Overall, Austral Harmony has established itself as one of Australia's most innovative and exciting classical music ensembles. With its unique blend of early and contemporary music, the ensemble has captured the imaginations of audiences and critics alike, and continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in classical music performance.

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