The Marais Project
The Marais Project is a celebration of music for the viola da gamba inspired by Marin Marais, the great French virtuoso viola da gamba performer and composer. Formed by Jennifer Eriksson in 2000, the ensemble’s original aim was to perform the complete viola da gamba works of Marais – a monumental task which is more than 85% complete.
Widely acknowledged for their focus on the music of the French baroque – presented with an Australian flavour - over the years they have extended their repertoire to include folk music, mediaeval and renaissance repertoire, 19th century Australian songs as well as commissioning and recording many new Australian works. The Marais Project has released ten albums, was the 2019-20 Ensemble in Residence at Fine Music 102.5 and has broadcast regularly on the ABC and Australian Digital Concert Hall.
They have toured across Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden where in 2023 they performed at an 'invitation only' concert at the Australian Embassy, Stockholm. Their 2026 album, Exquisite Harmonies, presents a superbly curated exploration of viol and harpsichord music from the French and German baroque.
The Marais Project is featured on the following titles
Exquisite Harmonies
‘Exquisite Harmonies’ features works for viola da gamba and harpsichord, and several harpsichord solos, largely from the French baroque. The exceptions being Telemann, Abel and Australian composer, Troy Russell. A nice treat being an improvised harpsichord fantasia in the style of Telemann.
Nordic Moods & Baroque Echoes
This recording is a collaboration between Duo Langborn/Wendel & The Marais Project. It is a blend baroque music, original compositions and arrangements, as well as folk music from both Australia and Sweden.
Australian Monody
The Marais Project is joined by international countertenor, Russell Harcourt, in a brilliant collection of largely Australian songs and instrumental works exploring light and darkness, love and loss.
Two
Two brings together the nationally renowned talents of Marais Project founding members, Jennifer Eriksson, viola da gamba, and Tommie Andersson, gallichon, theorbo and baroque guitar, in a seldom heard way. Each plays alternate brackets of solos on their respective instruments before embarking on a joint performance of a splendid suite by Marin Marais.
The Garden Party
The Marais Project’s latest offering, The Garden Party, has a festive anniversary flavour and includes several world premieres, not the least of which is the Eriksson-penned title track.
Spinning Forth
The title of this CD is suggestive of the music yet to come. The album draws together several threads implicit in Marais' purpose and their Swedish roots. At the core remains the Viol de Gamba music of the French baroque, but also newly commissioned Australian compositions - spinning forth in new directions.
Smörgåsbord
Over its long history The Marais Project has continuously pushed the boundaries of the viola da gamba repertoire whether in presenting the long neglected works of Marin Marais and his French baroque contemporaries or launching the electric viola da gamba in Australia.
Lady Sings the Viol
The concept behind "Lady Sings the Viol" was to create a CD of "covers" of popular tunes. Five very different singers individually and collectively perform songs from 1300 to the present day including music by Piaf, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin's bassist), Schubert and Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin.
Love Reconciled
Representing a landmark in the maturity of early music performance in Australia, The Marais Project presents "Love Reconciled", a recording to play often and savor deeply.
Members of The Marais Project
Jennifer Eriksson
Jennifer Eriksson completed her initial musical studies at the Sydney Conservatorium then moved to The Netherlands for three years to undertake viola da gamba tuition with Jaap ter Linden at Rotterdam Conservatorium.