20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF AUSTRALIAN COMPOSERS JADCD 1119 An anthology of works by Australian composers in a wide range of styles and musical groupings ranging from saxophone quartet, mandolin ensemble through, a trio for piccolo, guitar & cello to works for solo mandolin and solo piano. Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 – ERIC GROSS (b.1926) SUITE LATIN AMERICAN op.302 (2008) for multi-instrumentalist Saxophone Quartet. The TANGO CONCERTANTE, completed in 2007 received a very enthusiastic reception by the members of the Fo(u)r Fans - Saxophone Quartet to whom this Suite is dedicated. It was therefore decided to create a suite of movements in a Latin American style. The title of each movement indicates the style, mood and rhythmic provenance of the musical content, with the BALADA providing a calm and gentle contrast to the other, livelier movements. Because of the versatility of the instrumentalists for whom the suite has been composed, the composer succumbed to the temptation to provide additional variety of timbre by utilising also instruments other than the various saxophones, which the members of this ensemble play so expertly. Track 1 – Tango Concertante Track 2 – Rumbaphonics Track 3 – Balada Track 4 – Samba This Suite was recorded privately in Weimar, Germany in 2008 and the fifth movement, “Hatdance” will be recorded in due course. The members of the Fo(u)r Fans- Saxophone Quartet are: • Ruediger Trosits-Sopr.Sax/Flute/Bb Clt. • Berndt Klinke-Alto Sax/Sopr.Sax/Flt/Picc./Bb Clt./B’Clt. • Holger Arndt-Ten.Sax/Eb Clt./ B’Clt. • Jens Kaiser-Baritone Sax/Bb Clt. Track 5 – PIANGO CONCERTANTE op.302/A (2008) This is an arrangement and adaption for solo piano of the Tango Concertante op.302/1. Because of the enthusiastic reception given to the tango the composer decided to create this idiomatic arrangement for that great supporter of Australian music, the Australian pianist Sally Mays, utilising her great musicianship and technical prowess to the fullest. This private recording was made in London in August 2008. Sound Engineer Bas Kelleher. Track 6 – PREMARCH AND POSTWAR (VORMÅRZ UND NACHKRIEG) op.307 A brief tone-poem for piano, based upon the poem of the same title by the German poet MICHAEL KIRMES-SEITZ, and gives expression to the disasters and havoc created in Germany by the political events of that period. The music pictures and contrasts the exaggerated and false hopes raised and the inevitable horrendous consequences by the end of World War II. This composition was written especially for the outstanding pianist and pedagogue, Idil Ugur who resides in Weimar where this private recording was made in August 2008. E.G. Track 7 – PETER SCULTHORPE (b.1929) A SUN SONG FOR ERIC (1991) This short piece of music was written by the composer to be included in a GARLAND of pieces written by various composers for Eric Gross on his retirement from Sydney University in 1991. The music is one of Peter Sculthorpe's miniature masterpieces and contains a sunny aspect throughout. Peter Sculthorpe is Australia’s most celebrated composer. Track 8 – ANN CARR-BOYD (b.1938) FANDANGO (1982) FANDANGO, written in 1982 for Adrian Hooper and the Sydney Mandolins, is a lyrical bluesy type of work and has proved to be this composer’s most popular piece of music along with her MUSIC FOR AN IMAGINARY ITALIAN FILM, also written for Adrian Hooper and the Sydney Mandolins. Track 9 – BETTY BEATH (b.1942) contrasts (1983) This is one of the many miniature masterpieces of Betty Beath’s composed in 1983. Played by the composer at the piano. Tracks 10, 11 & 12 – ROBERT ALLWORTH (b.1943) Track 10 – NIGHTFALL ON SYDNEY HARBOUR (2006) This composition describes an impressionistic landscape of Sydney Harbour at dusk. The music ebbs and flows, creating a moody scene. Track 11 – TWILIGHT THOUGHTS (2008) Twilight Thoughts depicts feelings at twilight and is contemplative in character. Track 12 – PRELUDE AMETHYST AND JADE (2008) Prelude Amethyst and Jade describes in harmony and melody the characteristics of these gems. Tracks 10, 11 and 12 recorded 12/9/2008 by Kerry Joyner at 2MBSFM Studio C. Track 13 – RAY LEMOND (b.1956) NORDLAND (2008) The upper part of Norway is known as Nordland and is home to the spectacular Norwegian fjords. The music tries to capture a slice of the majesty and tranquility of this natural wonder. Recorded on Arcadia 24/8/2008 by Matt James. Track 14 – ROBERT ALLWORTH (b.1943) FALLING LEAVES OF RED AND GOLD (2008) FALLING LEAVES OF RED AND GOLD was written for mandolinist MICHAEL HOOPER in July 2008. The music is in three movements and is lyrical and autumnal in character. Michael Hooper graduated as Doctor of Philosophy (Musicology) from York University in July 2008 and recorded this composition at the Rymer Auditorium of the Music Research Centre at the University of York.The recording was produced by Ellen Winhall and remastering was supervised by Adrian Hooper. Track 15 – DEREK STRAHAN (b.1935) AT BONDI-SURF & RIPS (1963) Rondo for Piccolo, Guitar & ‘Cello (1963, revised 2008) – Trio Nuovo Musicale New Music Group Players. My home in 1963 was a flat in a crumbling block at the south end of Bondi Beach renting at $8 per week which had a millionaire’s view looking north along the surf, and which has since been replaced by expensive apartments. I body-surfed every day, rediscovering a beach life last experienced at age 10 in 1945 in Perth, WA, before being relocated to the UK by my family, from whence I fled in 1962 returning to Australia. This Rondo is one of a dozen or so music works I wrote in that year, and seems to have been a visceral and combative depiction of swimming in the surf in rough conditions, with conflicting currents above and below amid the constant excitement of waves rolling in. I have changed little of the structure and themes of the original score but have added detail to enhance texture, maintain motivic impulse and provide a more climactic Coda. This is the first of three pieces making up a Suite “At Bondi”. "Surf & Rips" heard here, then “Millpond” and “Perfect Day” which follow with the flute taking the woodwind role. Recording, Revolve Pty. Ltd., 28/01/08 This compact disc celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the first compact disc issued on the JADE label through BROAD MUSIC. This compilation represents 20 years of production of Australian music on JADE RECORDS. A special tribute is made to Dr. Eric Gross AM for his encouragement of Australian music during his tenure as Associate professor of Music at the University of Sydney and also as a supporter throughout the 20 years of the JADE series of Australian music. Some of his most engaging music is heard on this disc. The 20th year of production and also the 103rd disc in this series. Compilation mastered by Steve Smart Studios 301. Photo: ARCADIA NSW by Lorraine Cain of Newport Beach NSW Australia.