“This was an exemplary recital in both the planning and the execution, demonstrating a strong musical collaboration between Alex Raineri and Eva Kong and celebrating their wide musical interests. A wonderful tribute to the resilience of the performing arts during difficult times.”
Browsing: Art Songs
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“Lorina Gore’s prodigious vocal gifts are on display throughout, stamping her as a great Australian coloratura of this generation.”
“It makes perfect sense to me that one’s own music should reflect who you are as a person, and the things that are most precious to you.” – Anne Cawrse
“Old and new songs feature here, artfully arranged by gifted guitarist Bradley Kunda, in partnership with high soprano Rebecca MacCallion.”
“The pieces on this album have been meticulously curated to explore universal themes from multiple perspectives. The unity of purpose imbued in the performances is a delight.”
Baritone Peter Coleman-Wright and the Nexas Quartet bring us a fascinating glimpse into the period of the fall of the Weimar Republic, when music was the language of defiance and protest, as well as of love and beauty in a world on the brink of catastrophe…
“The wonderful Turkish-Australian soprano Ayşe Göknur Shanal performs new song cycles by contemporary Australasian composers, and the sheer beauty and dramatic power of her voice left me profoundly moved.”
“This disc is strongly recommended to those interested in opera, Australian music, and further to those who are inclined to perform new Australian operas.”
“These lovingly prepared premiere recordings offer a fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of a great Australian writer’s creative life.”
“Siobhan Stagg has a voice of astounding beauty and working with the wonderful Amir Farid on piano, the duo present a memorable recital of Romantic art songs.” The hugely talented Melbournian soprano Siobhan Stagg recorded this beautiful collection of Romantic…
“Another very enjoyable release from Wirripang: thirty- two Australian songs, most composed pre WW11 – an era when we felt we still belonged in the “Old Country” and our songs were still populated by fairies, pipers and shepherds, and spring sprang forth in May! The performances are excellent from Margaret Schindler, soprano, accompanied by her long-time colleague, Philip Mayers, on piano.”
“Jack Symonds’ deep knowledge of western culture informs work that is distinctive in style, sophisticated in design and presented here in masterful performances.”
“Kingfisher” has fine performances of 21 songs recently composed especially for Halcyon, and offers a valuable insight into the field of recent Australian composition for vocal chamber ensemble.
“These beautifully wrought songs by George Palmer AM QC (b.1947) will undoubtedly take their place in anthologies of the best Australian art songs. With his excellent choice of texts and the strength of his music, they seem quintessentially Australian, and the performances by Barry Ryan and Jeanell Carrigan are absolutely top class.”
“This is a fascinating recording. Gian, Sonya and Zoe have combined their imaginations to perform and produce a unique addition to the world of vocal music.”
“Stacey Alleaume, a multi-award – winning soprano and Opera Australia principal has released her debut album of art songs from the late Romantic period. The choices suit her superb voice perfectly and with such excellent support from the pianist Amir Farid, there are many delights to enjoy on this disc.”
This is an important CD celebrating Martin Wright’s collaboration with, and advocacy for remarkable Australian composers, some of whom may not have had such a forum for their work without Move Records.
“A fine CD from Wirripang of chamber works by the Australian composer Horace Keats (1895-1945) with superb performances from the artists: Louise Page (soprano), The Linden String Quartet, Phillipa Candy (piano) and Janet Webb (flute).”
“Hanrahan and Blom give excellent performances of nineteen songs from the last three decades. The works themselves vary from memorable to mediocre, and while none explored an original or distinctive approach to this genre, the disc is very enjoyable.”
“A superb studio recording of well-known songs from the Romantic period performed by soprano Taryn Fiebig and pianist Scott Davie. It is one of the best lieder recitals released by ABC Classics in recent years.”
“The ABC has released a digital version of eight chamber works by Paul Stanhope that confirms his place as one of our leading Australian composers.”
“Helyard and Greco’s Die schöne Müllerin is that rarest of things: a familiar work imagined anew”
“Fine in its details, Greco and Helyard’s Winterreise stops short of giving a unified vision of Schubert’s late, great song cycle.”
“This fine Victorian-based ensemble led by Australian master fiddler and baroque violinist, Shane Lestideau, present arrangements of beautiful ancient Scottish and Swedish folksongs, interspersed with 18th century baroque string sonatas, and a new composition by Alice Chance.”
The disc includes two excellent song cycles plus some earlier songs, all composed by Aristéa Mellos since 2013. The cycle Songs for a Day was specifically written for the soprano Helen Zhibing Huang and pianist Ada Arumeh Kim, and their performance is very moving. Huang’s dramatic ability and beauty of tone does full justice to all these well-crafted songs.
