“RONDINO PASTORALE” JADCD 1113 Music by Australian composers: ERIC GROSS, ANN CARR-BOYD, DEREK STRAHAN. MICHAEL SMETANIN, ROBERT ALLWORTH. Total duration: 51.18 This CD is characteristic of Jade CD productions as it contains music written in a wide variety of styles and instrumentations, from vocal music with chamber ensemble backing, through works for solo and ensemble mandolins, solo piano to a Jazz Fusion ensemble. “Trialogue” and “The Maid’s Lament” (2006) by Eric Gross are both works for mezzo-soprano with accompaniments drawn from varying combinations of flute, harp viola and claves, and were recording in Illinois, USA by the ensemble “PINOTAGE, who also play a flute and harp setting of the title track. Also from Eric Gross comes the delightful “5 Simple Pieces for Piano (1989), a gift to young performers, played artfully by Australian pianist Ray Lemond. Mandolin works are Michael Smetanin’s “Sting” (1987) for solo mandolin, Robert Allworth’s “3 Movements for mandolin Duo” (1990) in religious mode, and Ann Carr-Boyd’s “Fandango” for mandolin ensemble. Derek Strahan’s “Free Spirit” is a melodic, adagio piece drawn from a Jazz Fusion Suite, and performed by top Australian jazz musicians, with a classical cellist. The CD cover features a photograph taken by Derek Strahan from a distance through bare tree branches of Uluru, the great rock formation in Central Australia. You can learn more about Australian music by visiting Derek Strahan’s website http://www.revolve.com.au RONDINO PASTORALE READ ON FOR FULL TRACK DETAILS OF MUSIC AND PERFORMERS ERIC GROSS (b. 1926) Tracks 1, 2 & 3 Track 1 – RONDINO PASTORALE op.33 (1962) 3’15” This is the original version of this composition for Flute and Harp. This composition has also been arranged for a variety of instrumental combinations which can maintain the pensive and nostalgic mood which is created by the integration of the solo melodic line with the accompaniment thus sustaining the gentle flow of the music. ”Ensemble “PINOTAGE” (USA) Janice MacDonald -Flute/Alison Attar-Harp Track 2 – TRIALOGUE op.296A (2006) 2’58” This work for Flute, Mezzo-Soprano/Claves and Viola contains material re-arranged from the composer’s 4 DIALOGUES FOR FLUTE AND CLARINET (1980), at the request of the Ensemble PINOTAGE for a performance in the USA. The style and texture enable the performers to demonstrate exemplary musicianship and technical expertise and in this musical discussion the voice makes its contribution in a vocalise style and the vocaliste also adds the occasional percussive sound of claves. Ensemble “PINOTAGE” (USA) Janice MacDonald -Flute / Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff-Viola / Julia Bentley- Mezzo - Soprano and Claves Track 3 – THE MAID’S LAMENT op.293 (2006) 3’40” The poem, by W. S. Landor was originally set for Soprano and Piano. The music endeavours to follow and even expand the plaintive, meditative mood and atmosphere created by the text. In response to several requests from singers, this song was transcribed for Mezzo Soprano voice and piano and in 2006, a request from the USA based ensemble PINOTAGE caused this arrangement to be created especially for them; the piano was replaced by a harp and the Mezzo Soprano voice is here also supported by the addition of Flute and Viola. These additional instruments facilitated the creation of a very gentle and somewhat forlorn overall impression. This new arrangement was premiered by PINOTAGE in October 2006 at a televised and broadcast concert at Wheaton College, Illinois, USA, which was also recorded for this compact disc release. ) 3’40” Ensemble “PINOTAGE” (USA) Julia Bentley- Mezzo - Soprano Janice MacDonald –Flute / Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff-Viola / Alison Attar-Harp These three tracks were recorded at Wheaton College, Barrows Hall Illinois October 3/2006. Recording Engineer Brian Porick; edited and mastered by Matthew Prock, Area 44 Music. ERIC GROSS – 5 SIMPLE PIECES FOR PIANO op.169 (1989) 15’57”) Track 4 – LONELY DESERT Track 5 – ALONE AND SAD Track 6 – MEANDERING IN SERIES Track 7 – SYDNEY HARBOUR BLUES Track 8 – LITTLE JAZZEROO This is a set of five simple pieces of various degrees of difficulty, intended for beginners and is meant to appeal to children of all ages. The complete set was written for the London based Australian pianist Sally Mays, for pedagogic use. Performers are introduced to a variety of styles, which include a very simple and basic, as in LONELY DESERT and ALONE AND SAD; a jazz style is used in SYDNEY HARBOUR BLUES and LITTLE JAZZEROO (with emphasis on left hand figuration) and there is also the use of twelve-tone material which is employed in MEANDERING IN SERIES to create a gentle and ingratiatingly wistful atmosphere. This recording by RAY LEMOND was made in 1992 at 2MBS-FM (Sydney) by sound engineer Denis Eddy. Ray Lemond - Piano MICHAEL SMETANIN (b. 1958) Track 9 – STING (1987) 7’00” This short piece for Solo Mandolin was composed in November 1987, soon after the large orchestral work BLACK SNOW. It is a relaxation of the dark emotion of its antecedents, but maintains a brittle tension created by its swift and translucent passages performed with an unusual plectrum technique. STING was given its premiere perfomance by PAUL HOOPER at the Broadwalk Studio of the Sydney Opera House in September 1988 amd recorded at Studios 301 (Sydney) 30/01/1990. ) Paul Hooper - Mandolin ROBERT ALLWORTH (b. 1943) - 3 MOVEMENTS FOR MANDOLIN DUO (1990) (8’55”) Track 10 – FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY QUEEN OF HEAVEN Track 11 – FOR THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Track 12 – FOR OUR LADY OF RANSOM ADRIAN HOOPER and PAUL HOOPER - Mandolins The 3 Movements for Mandolin Duo are sensitive meditations on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. This recording was made by Adrian Hooper and Paul Hooper at Studios 301 (Sydney) - on 30/01/1990 ) Adrian Hooper and Paul Hooper - Mandolins DEREK STRAHAN (b.1935) FREE SPIRIT (1982) 4’47” Track 13 – (To 37251 who one day will realize that to be free is to be alone) Free Spirit is a movement from a Jazz Fusion Suite unheard in public till now. The Suite was composed during a period of personal turmoil. The dedication of FREE SPIRIT may be deciphered by reference to a system of numerology cited in Dennis Wheatley’s novel of the supernatural “THE DEVIL RIDES OUT”. ) Recorded at Ganda Studios, Reiby Place, Sydney 19/10/1982 and produced by Derek Strahan for Revolve Pty. Tony Ansell-Electronic Piano / Graham Jesse-Alto Saxophone / Ivor James - ‘cello / Jim Kelly-Guitar / Greg Lyon-Bass Guitar / Mark Riley-percussion & Drum Kit ANN CARR - BOYD (b. 1938) FANDANGO (1982) 4’46” Track 14 – Fandango was composed 35 years ago for the SYDNEY MANDOLINS and their founder ADRIAN HOOPER. This recording is the original SYDNEY MANDOLINS recording, now digitally remastered. This performance has remained ever popular. The Sydney Mandolins (Large Ensemble) conducted by Adrian Hooper Compilation mastered by STEVE SMART – Studios 301 Sydney, Australia, 3rd July 2007. This Compact Disc is the 97th in the JADE Series of AUSTRALIAN COMPOSERS and the 18th year of production, 2007. Photo: Uluru, Northern Territory - DEREK STRAHAN. Cover Artwork by HANDPRESS GRAPHICS tel. (02) 9918 5271 Email: craig@handpress.com.au