MEDIA RELEASE: Van Diemen’s Band launches the new VDB recording label with debut release BOHEMIA

-

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 13 JUNE 2025

Van Diemen’s Band launches the new VDB recording label with debut release BOHEMIA


Tasmania’s Baroque supergroup unveils its first release under a new artist-led label.

Van Diemen’s Band proudly announces the launch of its new self-run label with the release of Bohemia—a vivid new album that captures the expressive heart of 17th-century Central Europe in the wake of the Thirty Years’ War. The full album will be available to stream from Friday 20 June 2025, with the first single—Pachelbel’s Canon and Gigue—available now across all major platforms.

Artistic Director Julia Fredersdorff describes Bohemia as “a deeply expressive journey through a landscape of loss, resilience and joy,” reflecting the remarkable creativity that flourished despite the devastation of war. Drawing on repertoire sourced from the Kroměříž Music Archive and beyond, the album features music by Schmelzer, Biber, Pezel, Muffat, and Pachelbel, performed with the signature vitality and imagination that defines Van Diemen’s Band.

The release of Bohemia marks a major milestone in the ensemble’s evolution. The new label will serve as a creative home for VDB’s expanding discography and future-focused digital activity, including concert film releases and projects with associate artists. Up to three albums are planned for 2025, with Van Diemen’s Fiddles and Katie Yap’s Multitudes to follow later this year.

Fredersdorff continues: “Launching our own label allows us to share music on our own terms, directly with listeners who care deeply about historically informed performance, artistic excellence and bold musical storytelling.”

The release of BOHEMIA aligns with Van Diemen’s Band being featured as ABC Classic’s Performer of the Week from Monday 23 June, culminating in a national broadcast on Friday 27 June at 5:00pm AEDT. A studio performance of Pachelbel’s Canon, accompanied by an interview with Vanessa Hughes, will feature in the station’s national broadcast schedule.

Two new teaser videos offer a glimpse into the album’s vivid sound world, showcasing Van Diemen’s Band’s dynamic approach to 17th-century repertoire. Watch the ensemble perform the playful and unpredictable Sonata Jucunda and the elegant Paduana by Dietrich Becker.

About Van Diemen’s Band

Based in the wild and unspoiled island state of lutruwita/Tasmania, Van Diemen’s Band has quickly earned its reputation as Australia’s Baroque supergroup. With a bold, historically informed approach, the ensemble brings fresh energy to music of the 17th and 18th centuries—connecting deeply with audiences across Tasmania and beyond.

Formed in 2016 by violinist Julia Fredersdorff, Van Diemen’s Band brings together some of Australia’s most accomplished early music specialists. Its players have performed with leading international ensembles including Les Arts Florissants, Il Pomo d’Oro, Ensemble Pygmalion, The English Concert, and the Academy of Ancient Music.

Whether performing as an intimate chamber ensemble or full Baroque orchestra, VDB is known for its expressive, research-informed interpretations and adventurous programming. Collaborations have included projects with French Baroque specialist Martin Gester, Persian-Afghani group Ensemble Kaboul, and Tasmanian mandolinist Luke Plumb, as well as the striking 2021 music video Song of the Birds.

The ensemble has appeared at major festivals including Ten Days on the Island, Mona Foma, and Dark Mofo, toured nationally for Musica Viva Australia and internationally for Chamber Music New Zealand, and recorded for both ABC Classic and the Swedish label BIS.

Van Diemen’s Band is also a major contributor to the cultural life of lutruwita/Tasmania, presenting a thriving Lunchbox Concert Series across nipaluna/Hobart, pataway/Burnie and Launceston, alongside education programs and community engagement projects.

About the VDB Label

Launched in 2025, the VDB Label marks a bold new chapter in the ensemble’s artistic journey. As a dedicated platform for historically informed recordings and innovative collaborations, the label provides the freedom to shape and share VDB’s creative vision—on its own terms.

With plans for multiple releases each year, the label showcases Van Diemen’s Band’s core repertoire alongside new projects by guest artists and cross-cultural collaborators. Upcoming albums include Van Diemen’s Fiddles, a celebration of traditional and Baroque fiddle music, and Multitudes, a contemporary chamber project by Katie Yap.

Beyond audio, the label supports digital video releases and archival concert films, building a growing body of work that highlights the ensemble’s versatility, curiosity and commitment to storytelling through sound.

ENDS

Media Links

For interviews and media enquiries, please contact:


Media Contact: Samuel Cairnduff 

RESONATE Communications 

samuel.j.cairnduff@gmail.com  | 0401 396 755


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MEDIA STATEMENT: Jayson Gillham responds to open letter from Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's legal representatives

-
MEDIA STATEMENT  Jayson Gillham responds to open letter from Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's legal representatives FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Melbourne, 1 September 2024 Jayson Gillham, the internationally renowned pianist, issues the following statement in response to the open letter dated 30 August 2024 from Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL), legal representative of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). This letter was received following Mr Gillham's initial correspondence sent to the MSO on 22 August 2024, outlining his concerns and proposed resolutions. Mr Gillham is represented by Sheryn Omeri KC and Michael Bradley of Marque Lawyers in this matter. A copy of the ABL letter to Marque Lawyers dated 30 August 2024 can be viewed here . Jayson Gillham said : “I am deeply disappointed by the tone and content of ABL's letter on behalf of the MSO. The letter mischaracterises the events that transpired and fails to address the serious issues raised in my initial correspondence. I feel co...
Read more

Jayson Gillham | Melbourne Town Hall Concert, 11 August, 2024

-
Image
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jayson Gillham | Melbourne Town Hall Concert, 11 August, 2024 Melbourne, August 13, 2024 For clarity, we are releasing Jayson Gillham's comments during his performance on Sunday, 11 August, at Melbourne Town Hall, presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. During the concert, Mr Gillham introduced each work, including the world premiere of "Witness" by composer Conor D'Netto. With Mr D'Netto's express permission, Mr Gillham provided context for the piece, referencing the tragic deaths of journalists in Gaza—a topic of significant personal importance to him. A full transcript of his comments is below: Over the last 10 months, Israel has killed more than one hundred Palestinian journalists. A number of these have been targeted assassinations of prominent journalists as they were travelling in marked press vehicles or wearing their press jackets. The killing of journalists is a war crime in international law, and it is done in an effort ...
Read more

MEDIA RELEASE: A statement from Jayson Gillham on resolution with Sophie Galaise and ongoing case against MSO

-
Image
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31 March 2025 A statement from Jayson Gillham on resolution with Sophie Galaise and ongoing case against MSO I acknowledge the statement made by Sophie Galaise regarding the events surrounding the cancellation of my performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 15 August 2024 . I appreciate that Ms Galaise has expressed regret for the circumstances that led to the cancellation and that she has accepted that I believe I was entitled to speak as I did during my recital on 11 August 2024. I am pleased to report that the former dispute between me and Sophie Galaise has now been resolved My case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra , however, remains ongoing. A hearing took place in the Federal Court on 17 March 2025 , following the MSO’s attempt to have the case thrown out on the basis that freelance artists are not protected under workplace discrimination laws. I am challenging that claim. This case is about more than one performance. It r...
Read more