Perform February 1995 CD REVIEWS 15

Ann Carr-Boyd's Fandango

New Compact discs
Benjamin Frankel
Symphonies 1 &,5
May Day Overture Opus 22
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Werner Andreas Albert (conductor)
(CPO-ABC Digital Recording
Gennany)
LL have
and Betty Beath's Mikri
Tha/asa, both featuring the
Sydney Mandolins.
Not so successful is an early
recording by QSO conducted
by Patrick Thomas of Robert
Allworth's Monzi/lg ill Port
Augusta, an inclusion of his- .
toric' but not so much artistic '
Queensland

Wa
value. ' It is nowhere near the
Symphony Orchestra and con- quality of the Frankel sym~
ductor 'Werner Andreas Albert phonies recorded last year oy
been lauded for this recording of two
Ruth Apelt - told you twice
this orchestra and processed In
symphonies of Polish-born British-by- , (RA 011)
Germany.

~
adoption composer Benjamin Frankel. ""maverick from way back",
I enjoyed Ian S an an s yc es 0 ega Ruth Apelt (pictured) is back
They bring to life music that has been on this disc for the bold instrumental col-
neglected in the repertoire, providing a again; this time on compact disc -
ors achieved wi'th clarinet and percussion:
valuable addition to the symphonic col- and the perky little number titled her first CD - and a handsome volume it
lection. and doing it very well. Philomena Mary O'Leary who must is, visually and artistically.
The sound is excellent throughout. The have been quite a chatterer, as this comi- Ruth Apelt takes bold steps. Not only has
first symphony s~etches up and out in a cal musicphrased' s she stepped into the wide world to test her
searching, rather brooding manner, a '.And 'i t has to be said that Lawrence skills in Nashville, Tennessee - self-pro-
strong but sombre progression through Bartlett's Song of Childlike Trust record- claimed "Music City". but she has done
Frankl's
. . ..
distinctive sound spectrum.
Much more "listenable' is the Symphony
ed by St Andrew's Cathedral Choir in
Sydney serves as a reminder of the extra- _
so with her own compostions - words and
music .. She looks such a sweet kid, and is a
No.5 in which the composer seems to ordinary quality of Brisbane's own St delight ' to ~ to. You'd never realise she
have better command of contrasting Peters (Lutheran College) Chorale, sub- was a rebel , expelled from All Hallows
imagery. Like the first, it opens with an ject of the next review. SChool in Brisbane. . . '
upward melodic leap, moving through
Frankel's sweeping tone rows. He skill- Not a word, not a note is wasted in this
fully creates melody withig this structure, Voyage work. She has a finn grasp of both
fragments the QSO soloists (particularly St Peters Chorale . English language and imagery, and of
clarinet - no doubt Paul Dean) realised Graeme Morton (director); Ralph music expression and metre.
with utmost poignancy. Morton (accompanist)
(CDSPC 1003) She comments o~ every thir g. Nothing is
............................................................................... sacred and nothing is missed by her sharp
In this garden eye and mind. Every injustice, major and

PJ
the accompanying notes
Music for a Festive Occasion '. explain,the large proportion of minor, becomes the target of the biting
(Music of Australian Composers. ustralian repertoire contained in comment contained within the velvet
JAD) this chorat collection was the basis of a tones of her easy sty Ie.
musical, physical and personal journey
SE two Compact disc releases Many songs on this CD were included in

TI
for the 49 young singers as they toured
of 1994 are a must for collectors of the USA. her cassette Mama's Out Walkin' (the
small-scale music of Australian title of the song that won her the 1992
The visit was enonnously successful. Labour Day Song Award), notably Girls
composers and another valuable contri- The Americans loved the Australian
bution from lAD. in White Dresses, a protest against the
music and the singers who sing as a true
In this garden takes its title from united voice, firm and crisp, keeping their expectations placed on young women of
Betty Beath's song cycle setting of tone alwasy light, bright and forward. an older generation, against which this lit-
poems by David Cox, inspired from tle rebel rails.
Haleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona, although not
the tiny creatures in their own Now she is thoroughly professional,
mini-tropic forest that is their Australian, is a terrific opener displaying
thefine choral technique of these young much more in control of her medium.
home by the Brisbane River. Every
item on each disc has been loving- singers. The delivery is sharper, there is more bite
ly presented by various artists, Here also is a worthy record of Stephen in her clipped articulation, although the
sometimes the composers them- Leek's highly individual and evocative whole is a mu"ch more refined tone -
sel ves (Betty Beath, Colin Spiers, Voices of a Land (Ethel Anderson another irony of her work.
Ann Carr Boyd, Colin Brumby). text), his spirited arrangement The intimacy of the sound is such that
In this garden is principally a vocal col- ofWaltzing Matilda, and Voyage (texts
you feel she is singing directly to you,
lection, contrasting the gentle images of after William Hart-Smith), which gives
and you listen to her protest - and I thank
anture in the title music sung by soprano the CD its title.
her for the concern she expresses for all
Susan Dunn with the rhythmic pulse of Robert Boughen's Gloria is inter- creatures great and small in Mother
Brumby's Three Spanish Songs sung esting, as are John Rutter's Nature Blues. . Would that every teacher
with vigor by Jenny Dawson. Dominie Deus and the ever-popular
made this a daily ritual with their pupils.
Music for a Festive Occasion brings 18 The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
This is certainly a choir of which Would that the whole world could listen!
short instrumental works in bubbling
mood, two interesting inclusions being Australia can be justly proud. - Patricia Kelly