What is Hush Music?
For 20 years, the Hush Foundation has been working with renowned Australian artists to create music that brings calm and optimism to patients, families, and staff in stressful health and care environments.
Without realising it, Melbourne-based doctor Dr Catherine Crock, AM established and developed one of Australia’s most successful independent record labels through the Hush Foundation, a charity that transforms healthcare through the healing power of music.
Over 20 years ago, Dr Crock saw the impact of patient centred care and kindness in the workplace – in her case specifically at Royal Children’s Hospital where she treats children with cancer. Dr Crock began talking with families and colleagues about how they could minimize the stress and anxiety for patients and staff when painful medical procedures were needed. From these conversations began the commissioning of music composed especially for healthcare environments. Hush Foundation arranges to immerse composers in a healthcare environment as their inspiration.
The Hush music label now boasts 20 + album releases featuring over 170 compositions, recorded by more than 230 Australian artists and ensembles including Paul Grabowsky, Lior, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Elana Kats Chernin, Meg Washington, Missy Higgins, Joe Chindamo, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Nigel Westlake, Kate Miller-Heidke, Tony Gould, The Idea of North and many others.
The Hush mission of transforming healthcare through kindness and the arts is more resonant now than ever and we believe that music is a positive force for change.
Seeking Solace is new album, commissioned by Hush, to raise awareness about the importance of women's mental health research, treatment and education.
“I have always been the kind of musician who wants to soothe troubled hearts and minds with my music . This aspiration comes directly from my own experience of depression, overwhelm and anxiety throughout my life.
Reaching for music in those moments is one of the most accessible and simple things you can do. To curate this album for Hush is a true honour. I believe this album is a timely anthology of Australian neoclassical piano that speaks to the craving we all have for music that can create a sense of calm and solace from anxiety”
- Nat Bartsch
Seeking Solace is a compilation of new works by Australia’s leading neo-classical pianists that has been commissioned by The Hush Foundation and curated by Nat Bartsch in support of women experiencing mental health issues.
One in three women in Australia will experience anxiety during their lifetime — an issue that has been exacerbated during the pandemic and led to increased demand for support. Shockingly, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and four times as likely to experience anxiety.
In 2023 the composers visited Cabrini Elsternwick – Women’s Mental Health to listen, reflect, and connect with the experiences of patients. We’re grateful for the stories that were shared with us and hope this album will raise awareness about the importance of women's mental health research, treatment and education.
This experience inspired the compositions for Seeking Solace that aim to reduce stress, anxiety and promote healing, featuring piano talents Nat Bartsch, Thomas Rouch, Sophie Hutchings, Luke Howard, Mirla, , Petra Salsjö, Pat Jaffe, Fia Fiell, Leahannah Ceff and duo Josh Hooke and Jack Vanzet (Thrupence).
The album has been curated by Nat Bartsch, a twice ARIA-nominated Australian pianist and composer known for her ethereal, meditative, lyrical music:
Hush has long recognised and advocated for the power of music to reduce stress, anxiety and promote healing and wellbeing in healthcare settings - for patients, their families, and staff alike.
We are all seeking solace and music of this kind has never been more needed.
Seeking Solace has been produced by Nat Bartsch in partnership with The Hush Foundation.
The album was recorded and engineered by Hadyn Buxton with mastering by Lachlan Carrick. Additional recordings and mixing of tracks were provided by Sophie Hutchings, Carolyn Schofield and Josh Hooke and Jack Vanzet.
The album artwork Lake Call #2 (2021) is a unique state, intaglio print with stencil by Tasmanian Printmaker Melissa Smith, who's work is inspired by the landscape, the quiet solitude that it offers, and we’re thankful she shared her artwork for the singles and album. Design by Nathaniel Hiller from Cor Comms.
We are grateful to the patients and staff at Cabrini Elsternwick – Women’s Mental Health for the stories that they shared with us and hope this album will raise awareness about the importance of women's mental health research, treatment and education. Our thanks to Sharon Sherwood and Prof Jayashri Kulkarni AM.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Slava Grigoryan's new album is dedicated to healthcare workers everywhere
We're excited to release our 20th album, 'Gratitudes' by classical guitar virtuoso Slava Grigoryan. Slava began writing the music during the pandemic, as an expression of thanks to healthcare workers and recognition of their selfless support of patients. Something we know has come at a cost, with many now facing ongoing stress, anxiety and burnout. We know that expressing gratitude can help us all to cope better, by reminding us that our efforts are appreciated. This album is dedicated to healthcare workers everywhere.
Listen to 'Gratitudes'
“Each of these pieces is a note of thanks, a little letter of gratitude, for all of the extraordinary work they continue to do in looking after us." - Slava Grigoryan
Discover Hush playlists on Spotify
Learn more about the making of Hush music
Slava Grigoryan talks about the composing Gratitudes.
Composer and our previous Artistic Director, Paul Grabowsky talks about the history and concept of Hush.
Lior, The Idea of North and Elena Kats-Chernin talk about the making of Hush A Piece of Quiet.
The making of Nightlight with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Meet composer and friend of Hush
Elena Kats-Chernin
Acclaimed Australian composer, Elena Kats-Chernin, has created works across nearly every genre, from rags to operas, ballets and works for robotic instruments and long and very short pieces for various ensembles and voices.
Elena has worked with Hush on a number of collaborative projects, including Hush "The Magic Island" with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Hush "A Piece of Quiet".