‘MUSIC OF ANN CARR-BOYD’ JADCD 1103 WORKS BY: ANN CARR-BOYD, ROBERT ALLWORTH. DURATION: 65.04 This CD features works for solo piano by Australian composers Ann Carr-Boyd and Robert Allworth performed by pianist John Martin on a new Stuart grand piano. Stuart & Sons hallmark design features are embodied in this new generation instrument. It produces extraordinary tonal clarity, dynamic range and sustain; it has eight octaves and four pedals that enable pianists to explore aspects of the tonal spectrum hitherto unable on standard pianos. The impressionistic character of the works featured in this collection are ideal for showcasing this piano’s unique characteristics. They include tone poems by Carr-Boyd on Australian scenic locations and her suite “Look At The Stars” inspired by her interest in astronomy. SUMMARY OF MUSIC TRACKS. AFTER SUMMARY SCROLL DOWN FOR EXPANDED PROGRAM NOTES FOR EACH MUSIC TRACK, BIOGRAPHIES OF COMPOSERS AND PIANIST & NOTES ON THE STUART PIANO. TRACK 1. A DAYA IN TARALGA (2003) ANN CARR-BOYD Taralga is a small picturesque town in New South Wales, Australia, situated northwest of Goulburn. In Winter it is often shrouded in mist and rain; one could be in Scotland TRACKS 2 to l5 LOOKAT THE STARS (1978) This set of fourteen short pieces was composed at the request of the late Dr Franz Holford. A lifelong interest in astronomy led Ann to name each piece after a celestial object. This is the first complete 'Look at the Stars' released on Compact Disc. The fourteen pieces are, in order: 2. Pluto 3. Mars 4. The Sun 5. Mercury 6. Pulsar 7. Spiral Galaxy – NGC 4565 8. Earth 9. Sombrero Nebula NGC 4594 10. Phoebe 11. Fiji Moon 12. Stefan’s Quintet – a cluster of galaxies 13. Quasar PKS 2142-75 14. Star Clusters 15. Saturn TRACKS 16 to19. SHOALHAVEN SUITE (1999) This Suite of four movements was commissioned by Arts Shoalhaven for the Contemporary Arts Festival Tabla Rasa. The Shoalhaven is an area on the South Coast of New South Wales famous for its beauty and the four movements try to capture in music some of its diversity. TRACK 20. MILLENNIUM RAG (2000) Millennium Rag was commissioned by Christopher Keane for the Guitar Ensemble at Cranbrook School in Sydney and premiered by this group in the year 2000. The composer subsequently arranged it for piano solo TRACK 21. FEDERATION RAG (2001) Marking a milestone in Australian history, Federation Rag commemorates the 100th anniversary of the federation of all Australian states and the John Martin and incorporates some well-known tunes. Track 22. THE HARP IN THE HIGHLANDS (2004) This is the newest work on the album and was composed at the request of John Martin, who wished to have another piece to accompany “A Day in Taralga”. The Harp at Sutton Forest is an historic inn built in 1834 to service travellers on The Great South Road to Goulburn. TRACKS 23, 24 & 25 – ROBERT ALLWORTH (b.1943) TRACK 23. INDIAN SUMMER (1973) Indian Summer composed in 1973 and revised in 2003 for this recording is a short romantic impressionistic work with the nostalgia for an Indian summer that so many of us remember. TRACK 24. DEEP VALLEY (1984) Deep Valley is a prelude for piano dedicated to Richard Sterling and to the memory of his late wife Ariel Sterling. The music evokes the view of the valley which is the subject of the composition from their home in Echo Point. TRACK 25. THE PURPLE NOON'S TRANSPARENT MICHT (1989) The Purple Noon's Transparent Might takes its inspiration from a painting of the same name by Arthur Streeton. The music is lyrical with some dramatic highlights. The music is dedicated to Ann Carr-Boyd. EXPANDED PROGRAM NOTES FOR EACH MUSIC TRACK, BIOGRAPHIES OF COMPOSERS AND PIANIST & NOTES ON THE STUART PIANO. TRACK 1. A DAYA IN TARALGA (2003) ANN CARR-BOYD Taralga is a small picturesque town in New South Wales, Australia, situated northwest of Goulburn. In Winter it is often shrouded in mist and rain; one could be in Scotland. The first performance of this work was given by the composer in the Old School House in Taralga in 2003. “A Day In Taralga” was composed for the first Keys National Piano Competition held in Brisbane, Queensland, in October 2003. This is a competition devoted entirely to Australian music. Ann is a benefactor of the competition and an inaugural adjudicator. TRACKS 2 to l5 LOOKAT THE STARS (1978) This set of fourteen short pieces was composed at the request of the late Dr Franz Holford, who was then editor of Albert's AE Editions of Australian classical music, who subsequently published them. They are intended for advanced students and adults and range in standard from relatively easy to technically demanding. A lifelong interest in astronomy led Ann to name each piece after a celestial object, often linking the name of the piece to its structure, such as Pulsar, in which the radio signal emitted by such a star is reflected in the chord which appears throughout the piece. Themes and moods in the other works make a recognisable appearance, such as the war-like mood of Mars, and the circular theme of Spiral Galaxy. The fourteen pieces are, in order: 2. Pluto 3. Mars 4. The Sun 5. Mercury 6. Pulsar 7. Spiral Galaxy – NGC 4565 8. Earth 9. Sombrero Nebula NGC 4594 10. Phoebe 11. Fiji Moon 12. Stefan’s Quintet – a cluster of galaxies 13. Quasar PKS 2142-75 14. Star Clusters 15. Saturn This is the first complete 'Look at the Stars' released on Compact Disc. TRACKS 16 to19. SHOALHAVEN SUITE (1999) This Suite of four movements was commissioned by Arts Shoalhaven for the Contemporary Arts Festival Tabla Rasa and premiered at the Festival by the composer at St Martins Church, Ulladulla, on July 10, 1999. The Shoalhaven is an area on the South Coast of New South Wales famous for its beauty and the four movements try to capture in music some of its diversity. TRACK 20. MILLENNIUM RAG (2000) Millennium Rag was commissioned by Christopher Keane for the Guitar Ensemble at Cranbrook School in Sydney and premiered by this group in the year 2000. The composer subsequently arranged it for piano solo. It appears on the Jade label played by pianist Sally Mays and, in addition to this present recording by John Martin, will also be released in August 2004 in its original form by the Sydney Guitar Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Keane. TRACK 21. FEDERATION RAG (2001) Marking a milestone in Australian history, Federation Rag commemorates the 100th anniversary of the federation of all Australian states and the John Martin and incorporates some well-known tunes. Track 22. THE HARP IN THE HIGHLANDS (2004) This is the newest work on the album and was composed at the request of John Martin, who wished to have another piece to accompany “A Day in Taralga” - and although Taralga is perhaps just a little outside the area, The Harp at Sutton Forest is in its heart, being an historic inn built in 1834 to service travellers on The Great South Road to Goulburn. The composer says ‘My friend Marlene Bell has lovingly restored this building and opened it as a Bed & Breakfast so that once again it is a refuge for the traveller, and bears its original name of The Harp.' ANN CARR-BOYD is a free-lance composer who has written for a great variety of musical combinations. These include larger works such as the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1991); many works for mandolin ensemble and mandolin of which the best known is Fandango; a variety of works for chamber ensemble and music for film and television. Keyboard works also form a large part of her output - she has composed many works for piano, of which we hear a selection on this album - however, she has also written extensively for harpsichord and concert organ. Recent commissions include the piano solo “Moonbeams Kiss the Sea”, premiered by Michael Kieran Harvey in 2001; “Museum Garden”, a song cycle for soprano and piano premiered by Denise Walker and Estrid Eklof in Connecticut, USA, 2002;” Grass Tree Hill”, premiered by the strings and harp of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in 2002; “Romance for Flute and Orchestra”, premiered by Jane Rutter with the Sydney Youth Orchestra in 2003, and in May 2004, “Fantasy for Harp and Organ” premiered by Vanessa Souter and Amy Johansen in the Great Hall of Sydney University. Ann was born In 1938 In Sydney and now lives and works in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. Scores and recordings of her music and music by Robert Allworth may be obtained from THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CENTRE, P.O. Box N690, Grosvenor Place Sydney NSW 1220 or by phoning toll free 1300 651 834 - Email info@amcoz.com.au http://www.amcoz.com.au TRACKS 23, 24 & 25 – ROBERT ALLWORTH (b.1943) TRACK 23. INDIAN SUMMER (1973) Indian Summer composed in 1973 and revised in 2003 for this recording is a short romantic impressionistic work with the nostalgia for an Indian summer that so many of us remember. TRACK 24. DEEP VALLEY (1984) Deep Valley is a prelude for piano dedicated to Richard Sterling and to the memory of his late wife Ariel Sterling. The music evokes the view of the valley which is the subject of the composition from their home in Echo Point. TRACK 25. THE PURPLE NOON'S TRANSPARENT MICHT (1989) The Purple Noon's Transparent Might takes its inspiration from a painting of the same name by Arthur Streeton. The music is lyrical with some dramatic highlights. The music is dedicated to Ann Carr-Boyd. ROBERT ALLWORTH is a Sydney based composer who composes in most genres. Much of his music is released on compact disc. A sonata for piano was selected for performance at the 1966 ISCM Festival in Stockholm. He received an Order of Australia Medal for his services to Australian Music in 1997. JOHN MARTIN - PIANIST- John Martin is a pianist in constant demand partnering some of Australia's best known singers and instrumentalists. He is also the recipient of an Australian Council Study Grant. John studied and performed in England & Europe for 11 years. He is now based in Sydney. He is an all-round musician equally at home in cabaret as well as classical. He is a graduate of The Sydney Conservatorium and for the past three years lecturer on the ensemble study staff of the Sydney Conservatorium. The instrument used for this recording was designed and handcrafted by Stuart & Sons Newcastle, Australia. This new generation 2.2m grand piano was commissioned by J. Albert & Sons Pty Ltd for their Tiger Recording Studios Sydney and embodies Stuart & Sons hallmark design features that produce extraordinary tonal clarity, dynamic range and sustain. The instrument has eight octaves and four pedals that enable pianists to explore aspects of the tonal spectrum hitherto unavailable on standard pianos.