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My Heart

Pianist Danaë Killian presents an expressionist collection of works by mostly Australian composers.

My Heart is a striking album by Naarm/Melbourne-based expressionist pianist Danaë Killian, weaving solo piano with spoken word, poetic improvisation, and tarot.

Inspired by German-Jewish Expressionist poet Else Lasker-Schüler’s 1911 novel Mein Herz, the album blurs boundaries between pianist and piano, poet and composer. Across its unfolding musical landscape, sound, text, and intuition coexist, creating an intensely personal listening experience.

At the centre of the album is Killian’s own My Prussian Blue Heart — an expressionist, text-based work for pianist, tarot cards, and piano. This is framed by vivid and characterful works from a close circle of composer colleagues and artistic kin: Evan J Lawson, Howard Dillon, Christine McCombe, Amelia Barden, Colin McKellar, Gregers Brinch, and Arnold Schoenberg, whose epoch-making Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 11 forms a historical and aesthetic touchstone for the program.

The majority of composers featured on My Heart are based in Naarm/Melbourne, reflecting the album’s deep connection to a local contemporary music community, with the only exceptions being Danish composer Gregers Brinch and Arnold Schoenberg.

My Heart is presented as an immersive journey, designed to be experienced from beginning to end as a cohesive whole, while acknowledging the creative contributions of all the composers featured.

Artist

Danae Killian

Dr Danaë Killian is an Australian pianist whose poetry-infused performances are known for their intense originality and expressive interpretive power. Her repertoire stretches across the complete solo piano music of the Expressionist Second Viennese School, major polyphonic works by JS Bach, and a wealth of Australian compositions. A passionate champion of modern art music, Danaë Killian typically performs dozens of contemporary compositions each year, from both Australia and abroad, many of which are premieres.


Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. My Prussian Blue Heart I. for pianist, tarot cards and piano Danae Killian

    2. Drei Klavierstücke Arnold Schoenberg

  2. I. mäßige Viertel
  3. II. mäßige Achtel
  4. III. bewegte Achtel
  5. Möbius for solo piano Howard Dillon
  6. Asphyxed Christine McCombe
  7. My Prussian Blue Heart II. for pianist, tarot cards and piano Danae Killian
  8. The Seventh Centre Amelia Barden
  9. Birth Music Colin McKellar

    10. Two Minds Gregers Brinch

  10. I. Two Minds
  11. II. Reflective Intersections
  12. III. Homage
  13. IV. Drought
  14. Sikinnis III Evan J Lawson
  15. My Prussian Blue Heart III. for pianist, tarot cards and piano Danae Killian

Performers

Composers

Howard Dillon

Australian composer Howard Dillon's interests in composition extend to electro-acoustic music, sound installations, as well as more traditional instrumental composition, including composing for community and educational projects.

Christine McCombe

Christine McCombe initially studied composition in Australia before moving to the UK in 1997 to complete an MMus at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied with James MacMillan. Many of Christine's compositions have been performed by leading ensembles and soloists in both Australia and the Europe.

Colin McKellar

Colin McKellar has a strong background in the practice of poetry/painting and music. A turning point in musical influence came in his late teens, in the form of Experimental Free Jazz.

Gregers Brinch

Composer Gregers Brinch was born in Denmark. His music has been heard throughout Europe.

Evan J Lawson

Evan J Lawson (he/they) is one of Australia’s leading queer artists, working at the forefront of contemporary culture as a composer, writer, curator, singer and conductor. Evan is a founding member and artistic director of interdisciplinary dance company-chamber orchestra Forest Collective.


Where to buy

My Heart is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Contributor
Vaughan McAlley
Release date
January 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Danaë Killian
Phonogram
℗ 2026 Move Records
Categories
Australian, Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 673
Alternate catalogue number
MCD673
Barcode
EAN 8721465406764