Being described as the “Sound of Australia”, the didgeridoo, also known as a didge, is a wind instrument producing a low-pitch and resonant sound. It was developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia at least 1,500 years ago and is still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 4 together with the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong co-presented this unique Australian sound performed by didgeridoo master Mark Atkins in the second wave of the annual concert series “Music Beyond Borders” last night (7 October, Thursday).

Mark Atkins is a descendant of the Yamijti people of Western Australia and is also of Irish-Australian heritage. He is among the finest and most famous didgeridoo players in the world. Not only a master of the didgeridoo, Mark Atkins is also a storyteller, songwriter and visual artist. As a soloist and ensemble player, he has incorporated the primal pulse of didgeridoo into orchestral works with the London Philharmonic and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, theatrical and dance presentations and on the sails of Sydney’s famous Opera House for its 20th anniversary celebrations. With rich experiences of performing around the world, Mark Atkins has worked with great musicians such as Peter Sculthorpe, Phillip Glass, Led Zeppelin’s guitarist Jimmy Page and many more. He was also featured on the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. He founded cross-cultural groups Kooriwadjula (black man/white man) and Anakala and performs with the Black Arm Band (Murundak), in which Australia’s most respected legends of indigenous contemporary music are featured.

“Music Beyond Borders – Australia” will first be broadcast on Radio 4 and the official website of “Music Beyond Borders” on 23 October at 8pm, with repeat on 28 October at 2pm. Archives can also be found on the website after broadcast. Accompanying the concert, throughout this October, which is also the “Month of Australia”, RTHK Radio 4 (FM97.6-98.9) will bring you interviews with artists and special guests from Australia every Sunday morning. These include Cheryl Barker, Lisa Gasteen, Rosamund Illing and Steve Davislim at 8:30am, and Les Luck, the Consul General of Australia in Hong Kong, Frank Panucci, the Director of the Community Partnerships Section of the Australia Council for the Arts, Susan Street of Australia-China Council, and Lydia Miller, the Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts at 9am. Those who are interested in knowing the culture and arts development of Australia can tune in Radio 4 for the above programmes. Visit rthk.hk for more details.

About “Music Beyond Borders”

“Music Beyond Borders” is a live concert event that showcases unexplored music and unknown artists from a particular nation – beyond our borders. It does this through partnerships between RTHK Radio 4 and different Consulate Generals in Hong Kong. It is now entering its 8th successful season The concert is a highlight in a month that also features programmes on Radio 4 that focus on the music, arts and culture of that nation. The project was created to make everyone aware of the wealth of excellent music that is out there and to encourage cultural exchange.