My Heart
An expressionist solo piano adventure.
Thu 22 January 7.30pm
'Nights I wander the world's city streets, looking for you and talking to you, my heart.' - Danaë Killian
Forest Collective's star pianist Danaë Killian (The Minotaur in Labyrinth) returns solo to Midsumma 2026 in a thrillingly intimate performance celebrating the launch of her latest album, My Heart (Move Records) at Melbourne Recital Centre. Inspired by Jewish German Expressionist poet Else Lasker-Schüler's novel 'Mein Herz,' Danaë's piano performance flies on a magic carpet of spoken-word improvisatory poetic threads, which existentially obfuscate the boundaries between Danaë and Else, as both their hearts break. Music by Danaë's real-life composer friends wraps around these shattered hearts like an exquisitely unction-soaked, colourful bandage.
Music by Evan J Lawson, Arnold Schoenberg, Howard Dillon, Christine McCombe, Amelia Barden, Colin McKellar, Gregers Brinch, and Danaë Killian. Words by Danaë Killian and Else Lasker-Schüler.
This performance takes place on Else Lasker-Schüler's death day and Danaë Killian's birthday.
Read more about this project in this special interview with Danaë Killian, here.
Praise for Danaë Killian
'Utterly mesmerising' - Australian Arts Review
'One of Naarm-Melbourne's piano treasures' - ClassikON
'Das Anschlagswunder' - Aargauer Zeitung
Tickets
Full $55
Concession $45
First Nations $45
Group (minimum 4 tickets) $40
Early bird 15% off full price tickets on eligible events until 5pm 16 December 2025
3-Show 10% off full price tickets when booking 3 or more eligible events in one transaction
Companion Card holders are eligible to book an additional companion ticket - please boxoffice@midsumma.com.au to arrange
Where
Melbourne Recital Centre
31 Sturt Street, Southbank 3006
Please note, seating in the Primrose Potter Salon is General Admission.
When
Thursday 22 January 2026
7:30pm to 9pm
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins (no interval)
Please note, running times are approximate and subject to change
Who
Danaë Killian (piano)
What
My Prussian Blue Heart for pianist, tarot cards, and piano (2017, rev. 2024), movement 1
Danaë Killian
Drei Klavierstücke, Op.11 (1909)
Arnold Schoenberg
Möbius for solo piano (2012)
Howard Dillon
Asphyxed (1991)
Christine McCombe
My Prussian Blue Heart, movement 2
Danaë Killian
The Seventh Centre (1992)
Amelia Barden
Birth Music (2006)
Colin McKellar
Two Minds, Op.73 (2004)
Gregers Brinch
Sikinnis III (2015)
Evan J Lawson
My Prussian Blue Heart, movement 3
Danaë Killian