Music Education &
Performing Arts Consultant
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Marko Letonja ABC 481 0776 Here are some firsts. Emma Matthews reveals that this recording is the first recording of her singing Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute), and Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro). She also reveals that the notion of recording came about many years ago (2008). Clearly, … Read more
ABC 481 0483 Anyone who has an interest in the 17th century will love this disc. It is remarkable for its attention to authentic performance practice. The three members who make up this relatively new ensemble all learnt their craft at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, a great centre for early music. Baroque violinist, … Read more
Australian World Orchestra Sydney Philharmonia Choir Conductor: Alexander Briger ABC 481 0550 The scale of a work such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is truly staggering. Whilst the work has been overused for civic celebratory events, the concert experience (and this recording, which originates from a live concert in the Sydney Opera House) is something that … Read more
(Second edition – 2013) Music and Lyrics by Gavin Lockley Book compiled by Michael Crouch AO ISBN 978 0 980 40802 7 (Hardback with CD) Following a performance of Lockley’s setting of the iconic Dorothea McKellar poem, My Country, came the inspiration to create a six movement Symphonic Poem (complete with vocal and instrumental solos, … Read more
ANTI 87296-2 The Grammy-award winning Kronos Quartet devotes itself to the new music of Bryce Dessner on this recent release. Based in New York City, Dessner, is a composer and performer, who is rising meteorically in the music world. Some view Dessner as a pop artist, as he is a guitarist, however his intellect and … Read more
It was by accident that the world now enjoys the sumptuous sound of dramatic soprano, Christine Goerke, as it was not in her grand scheme to be one of the world’s great operatic divas. In fact, the American singer came from humble beginnings, and had chosen a path as a High School music teacher. It … Read more
I Musici ABC 074 3213 (CD & DVD set) The Four Seasons are so well known, but when the sound of I Musici is combined with the visual element of Venice, then this becomes a real treat. This is a DVD with a difference; the beauty and delights of Venice can be experienced in sympatico … Read more
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Guy Noble Various Artists ABC 481 0378 Nineteen of the best-loved songs from twelve landmark musicals (from composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Rodgers, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Leonard Bernstein, Robert and Richard Sherman, and Stephen Sondheim) coupled with a full orchestral backing from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, along with eight wonderful … Read more
Dedicated to new music and new ideas in music performance, Ensemble Offspring has produced a recording of most unusual compositions, based around a new tuning system. Various composers have collaborated with instrument makers to achieve their objectives in the creation of this new musical vocabulary. The CD booklet helps to explain, via a short historical … Read more
Ian Dorricott & Bernice Allan ISBN 97800702772212 & 9780170221252 Cengage Learning Australia A substantial series of texts for music educators in this country is the In Tune With Music books, now in its fourth edition. Able to take students (and teachers) through Stage 5 music (of the NSW Board of Studies course), these books are … Read more