Music Education &
Performing Arts Consultant
Barry Greta Bradman, David Hobson, Lisa McCune, Teddy Tahu Rhodes ABC 482 3700 Audiences applaud such compilations when four well-known (“popular”) singers are brought together, and a national tour is mounted, making the release of a disc of arias, duets and ensembles, an assured top-seller. Musical theatre selections are from The Sound of Music, The Phantom … Read more
ABC 481 1871 For those who have short attention spans, or as that perfect gift, this compilation album of pieces will engage every listener with its selection of music from every period, every instrumental combination, along with some choruses and vocal items. Not only does the CD rip along at an almighty pace from Buxtehude … Read more
Original soundtrack by Burkhard Dallwitz ABC 481 1824 The recently broadcast ABC TV Mini-series, The Secret River was richly supported by a stunning soundtrack, written, arranged and produced by Burkhard Dallwitz, who is one of Australia’s foremost screen composers. The drama is based on Kate Grenville’s best-selling novel of the same name, which is an … Read more
Audiences and musicians were delighted when world-famous pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy was chosen as the Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2009, a post he held for five years. But audiences had experienced the magic of Ashkenazy years earlier, when he toured in recital as a concert pianist in the 1960s. … Read more
Cantillation ABC 481 0120 Fifteen of the world’s favourite pop songs are assembled here in choral settings that retain all the excitement, verve and vivacity of the original songs. Of course, pop songs set for choir often do not succeed, but these arrangements (by Dan Walker, Sally Whitwell, Daryl Runswick, Ward Swingle and Roderick Williams) … Read more
Joseph Tawadros ABC Classics 481 1632 Immediately captivating, this twelfth recording by the Egyptian-born Australian Oud player, Joseph Tawadros is another extraordinary exploration of styles, blending authentic Arabic instruments and idioms with those of the West. The unusual soundworld created here combines Oud, Accordian, Trombone, Piano, Req (tambourine) and Bendir (drum), the latter two played … Read more
The following is the complete transcript of questions and the answers given by the Dean and Principal of the Sydney Conservatorium – University of Sydney, Professor Karl Kramer in February, for the purposes of an article to be printed in the March 2015 Fine Music magazine. On April 17, Professor Kramer tendered his resignation from … Read more
Designed as horse stables for Governor Macquarie, the building affectionately known as the ‘Con’, will celebrate 100 years of existence this year. Now ranked as one of the finest music schools in the world, the Sydney Conservatorium is living up to its founder’s initial objective. Henri Verbrugghen, who was Director from 1915-1921) had a vision … Read more
Sounds and Souls: How music teachers change lives By Ruth Bonetti Published by Words and Music, The Gap, 2013 ISBN 9780957886186 This is the ninth book from Australian-based author and music teacher, Ruth Bonetti. Bringing a wealth of knowledge, years of experience and up-to-date information about the art of teaching (particularly as it pertains to … Read more
Li-Wei Qin (Cello) London Philharmonic Orchestra Zhang Yi (Conductor) ABC 481 1243 In this recording we find a stunning soloist, Li-Wei Qin who, from an early age, made huge strides in the concert world. Now 39, Qin is one of the world’s great cellists, who had lived and studied in Australia for a number of … Read more