Ensemble Anja & Zlatna preserves the beauty of traditional melodies from the beautiful Balkans and beyond, enhancing them with the structural architecture of baroque and modern languages.
Aleksandra (Anja) Acker: Artistic Director and Voice
Kirsty Morphett: Voice, Percussion
Donald Nicolson: Harpsichords, Synthesizers, Organ, Piano
Ryan Williams: Recorders
Andrew Tanner: Acoustic Bass, Balalaika, Jew’s Harp
Tim Nikolsky: Guitars, Acoustic Bass, Balalaika
The ensemble performs in varied formations – duet, trio, quartet, quintet, sextet and septet, depending on occasion.
“With harmony intrinsic to these songs, the match of voices is a delight… (ABC Classics)
The versatility of the four instrumentalists is matched only by the charm of the unexpectedness of their combination…. The perfect music that makes the listener want to dance, sing or simply hear more…”
(Classic Melbourne)
Aleksandra Anja Acker (RMIT University) originally from Belgrade (Serbia) has formed Anja & Zlatna in 2013. In Serbian, this name means something like Anja & Golden Ensemble. The group seeks to preserve the beauty of traditional melodies and enhance them with the structural architecture of Baroque, whilst fusing the practices of 17th century and folk improvisational languages. It has a unique sound, due in part to original approach to instrumentation; the use of harpsichord in a predominant role is a key factor – sometimes one hears multiple guitars, sometimes a cimbalom or the texture of an accordion. The various possibilities of the recorders are explored, the sounds ranging from baroque flute to Eastern wind instruments such as kaval or ney with their intriguing vibrato and intonations. The versatility of the double-bass is derived from folk instruments such as the Russian balalaika family (and look out for a cameo appearance from the ever-popular mouth harp, also referred to as a Jew’s Harp) and a guitarist’s sophisticated touch of jazz.
The ensemble has released exceptionally well-received albums of this moving music: ‘Ruse Kose’ and ‘Oj, Vesela Veselice’ and ‘Live in Concert’ DVD. This accomplished group has performed for ABC Classics Sunday Live and The Best of ABC Classics Sunday Live (2014, 2015), Open Studio, has been a part of Local Heroes at Melbourne Recital Centre (2015; 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), The Boite world music (2019), Australian Digital Concert Hall (2021, 2022), 3MBS Marathon TOGETHER (2023).
Aleksandra introduced ‘Music without Borders’ series, which include raising funds for, and promotion of, Médecins Sans Frontières (2015), ‘Befriend a Child in Detention‘ community project (2016, 2017, 2018), Serbian Floods (2013), Majka Devet Jugovića (2016, 2021). The ensemble has collaborated with Melbourne Recital Centre and performed in their community initiatives such as ‘Share the music‘ for people from aged-care, people with Alzheimer, Dementia and Depression and disadvantaged backgrounds (2016, 2017, 2020) and ‘Relaxed performance’ (2019) – for audience with sensory difficulties, like Autistic Spectrum, Learning Disabilities and Mental illness. Anja and Donald have performed in Serbia – at Art Pavilion “Cvijeta Zuzorić” (2014), Kolarčev Narodni Univerzitet (2015), Radio Television Serbia and Studio B Television.
We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live and work, and acknowledge their elders past present and emerging.
Please see the ensemble’s facebook page for more information; alternatively, you can send a message to Anja via aleksandra.acker@rmit.edu.au. You can find our albums at READINGS shops or order online.