Composer of the famous Jamaican Rumba for two pianos, teacher of Benjamin Britten, conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra*, World War I gunner, film music composer for Alfred Hitchcock, Benjy made a name for himself in London musical circles in the 1920s after a brilliant student career at the Royal College of Music.
Already published are the first two in a series of CD recordings collecting the unjustly neglected works of this interesting and important Australian composer. Included are an extensive biography by Ian Munro and an introduction by Rumba dedicatee Joan Trimble, whose death in August is a sad loss to Irish music.
The result of a brainstorm in late 1998, this four-recital survey of Twentieth Century music stemmed from the notion that the last hundred years, far from being difficult and austere, have in fact been incredibly rich and fascinating in terms of solo music for the piano. How better to demonstrate and share this that to play one piece from every year of the century?
It wa a lot of fun, but I was getting tired by August...
Another neglected Australian composer, this time understandably, perhaps. Tasmanian pianist Katharine Parker was "the best pupil I ever had" according to mentor and friend Percy Grainger, although her concertizing activities contracted after World War II when she returned to live and teach in Launceston.
Her beautiful Down Longford Way is available on the CD A patchwork of shadows. I am collecting together her extant music—with no help whatsoever from her surviving family, shall we say—with a view to publishing a CD in the near future. A biography and list of works is available on request.
One of two brilliant ideas of composer Russell Gilmour, powerhouse behind Opus House Press music publishers. A tribute in music to the great Mahler-lover and parliamentary entertainer Paul Keating. Eleven sarcastic tangos relating to some of the most characteristic Keating moments.
Children's concertos
Gilmour proposed three new piano concertos for child soloists and orchestra, to be premiered in Hobart by selected Tasmanian soloists and the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. The concerto competition final was held in Hobart in July 2000 and was a huge success.
Concertos by Gilmour, Marcellino and Munro. CD recording to follow soon.
Volume 2 in progress of the Schubert 'completion' project. The neglect of beautiful music is one of my pet interests and there is a satisfaction in finding ways to bring some of it to the ears of others. Here are more of the extrapolations based on manuscripts by Franz Schubert, containing more surprises.
Soon to be published collection of solo piano and piano duo works by this excellent composer. Ann has a special gift for capturing the moods and scenes of New England, where she lives and teaches.