Jade CDs are widely heard on national and fine music stations throughout Australia, and are recognised as a valuable resource by educational authorities as being uniquely representative of the work of Australian composers. They are manufactured in limited runs of 500 and, as stocks are therefore limited, may be regarded as collectors' items! All Jade CD covers are distinctive. Many of the early Jade CD covers (like this one) display stylish black & white photography by Nicolas van der Waarden. Most Jade CDs have an anthology format and include works by several composers. It's great to have these CDs on offer for a wider audience at CD Baby. "AFTERNOON LIGHT" JADCD 1076 Works by Derek Strahan, Dulcie Holland, Robert Allworth, Eric Gross. Duration 59'41" 3 works by DULCIE HOLLAND. Dulcie Holland studied with English composer John Ireland before returning to Australia to study with Roy Agnew, and Dulcie Holland is considered one of Australia's leading composers. Track 1. CRADLE SONG FOR A SPECIAL CHILD (1993) by Dulcie Holland. The "special child" is Douglas Emery. It seems appropriate that the piece should be written for String Quartet, as both his parents, Leonie Ziegler and Pierre Emery are well-known musicians and members of the GAGLIANO QUARTET who perform here. This piece was first heard at Douglas' christening on July Ilth, 1993. Track 2. SALUTE TO JACQUES (1997) by Dulcie Holland. Salute to Jacques was written for the birth of the second child of LEONIE ZIEGLER and PIERRE EMERY and first-performed at Jacques' christening by members of the Gagliano Quartet at the CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, August 24th 1997 at Clifton Gardens in Sydney. Track 3. BARELY SPRING (1993) by Dulcie Holland. The title is from a poem by West Australian poet Andrew Lansdown The poem begins "with their outstretched branches beginning to bud, the wood vines are stocky girls with green ribbons in their plaits". The work is dedicated to the writer and flautist Jyoti Brunsdon. Track 4. AFTERNOON LIGHT for mandolins (1991) by ROBERT ALLWORTH. An afternoon on a clear day when one can be ponderous and nostalgic! The title AFTERNOON LIGHT is also the title of the late SIR ROBERT MENZIES' book "AFTERNOON LIGHT" written towards the end of his life. The composition was written for ADRIAN HOOPER and the SYDNEY MANDOLINS, who perform here. Track 5. LADY IN BLUE for string quartet (1975) by ROBERT ALLWORTH. The work is subtitled "IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY" who is of course the "LADY IN BLUE". The middle section reflects on the Saving Grace of the Mother of God. Track 6. RONDINO TRANQUILLO (1962) by ERIC GROSS. This is a picturesque piece, originally written as a harp solo for June Loney (then a member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra). The composer has transcribed the work for solo piano. "THE AUSTRALIAN ARK", SUITES No. 1 & No. 2 DEREK STRAHAN. Composer's note: "Between 1969 and 1973 I had the good fortune to compose music for a major documentary series produced written and hosted by the distinguished author/film producer/former journalist and war correspondent, ROBERT RAYMOND. This 13-part series was first telecast on Australian television by Channel 7 under the title "SHELL'S AUSTRALIA". The series offers a comprehensive overview of the Australian continent, its formation, its wild life and its first inhabitants. It was, and still is, widely screened overseas, both in toto and as individual programs. The music was recorded progressively in seven 3-hour recording sessions. Two suites of music are presented here, with the kind permission of OPUS FILMS, named after the series' working title "THE AUSTRALIAN ARK" - denoting an isolated environment in which the evolution of life took its individual course after Australia separated from the original supercontinent, Gondwanaland". Track 7. SUITE No. 1 - AMAZING MARSUPIALS (1970). Music written for the episode celebrating Australia's distinctive life forms. The titles of the 11 episodes give an indication of program context: Ark (Program theme); Flying; Son of Skippy; Country Place; Subsurface Pressure; Rain Forest; Life in the Dead Heart ; Circus Act (Sugar Glider Possum); March to Extinction (of giant marsupials); Flying (reprise); Ark (reprise). Track - 8 SUITE No. 2 - THE CHANGING SHAPE OF AUSTRALIA" (1971) Music written for the episode tracing the formation of the Australian continent from the earliest geological times. The titles of the 11 episodes are: Ark (Ensemble); Chaos; Order (cor anglais solo); Evolution - The Coming of Life; Mesozoic Summer; Ark (Trio); Ice Age; Ark (Quartet); Return of Summer; Ark (Trio); Ark (Ensemble). Performance: Suite No. 1,Nevville Amadio, Donald Westlake, Brian Dean, guitar/Lennie Hutrichinson, bass guitar with Derek Fairbrass, John Sangster, percussion. Suite No. 2, New Sydney Wind Quintet with Derek Fairbrass, John Sangster, percussion. This Compact Disc is the 60th in the Jade Series of music by Australian Composers.