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Mon, 10 May 1999 14:54:52 +1000 |
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Roger Hecht <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Bert Bailey wrote:
>
>>Michael Easton (b. 1954): Concerto on Australian Themes; Concerto for Piano
>>Accordion, Piano and Strings; An Australian in Paris; Beasts in the Bush;
>>and an Overture. It was an Australian ensemble or orchestra
>
>I've wondered about the Easton, too because I generally like the
>Austrailian composers. I don't know why I never bought this. Maybe it's
>something about the titles. And an accordian piece. Maybe something about
>that, too.
Anyone who knows anything about Australian cultural divides will understand
why a rather well-informed Sydneysider expresses no surprise when he hasn't
heard of a (apparently) popular Melbourne composer (& for those who don't:
Sydney/Melbourne makes East Coast/West Coast US or Guanzhou/Beijing seem
like baby's spats). The music is pleasantly from the center, holding, &
superbly crafted (almost a redundancy in this century's CM; but a credit
which should never be totally overlooked); but without any real sparks of
memorability... more enjoyable to experience that really listen to, i
suspect. Haven't really had any great motivation to rehear this disc,
either; & i'm more sympathetic to the lighter side of contemporary CM than
many on this list.
The concerto is fun; though i doubt the average non-Ocker would struggle to
understand the cross-references; while _Beasts_ is a fairly uncompromising
knock-off of Prokofieff (big surprise there, i guess). The accordian
concerto offers susport for the theory that the world is divided into two
camps: those who think writing accordian concerti should be a cpaital
offence; & those who think death's too good for them....
In reference to another point: from print advertisements, it appears that
this disc has been released in @ least some European territories; but that
can't be taken as guaranteeing that it will find its way into the US....
All the best,
Robert Clements <[log in to unmask]>
<http://www.ausnet.net.au/~clemensr/welcome.htm>
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