Search - Peter Sculthorpe :: The Best of Peter Sculthorpe

A Sculthorpe Compilation

dame ethel | Australia | 03/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Sculthorpe is one of Australia's most well known composers. And rightly so, his music can be very beautiful, moving, intense, soaring and hypnotic. He is famous for the idea that Australian music should "look to Asia", to create an Australian voice. So on this CD, we hear a Japanese melody and Balinese rhythms and other Asian-inspired elements which he has incorporated [appropriated?] in his music, in a very "classical music" context. He also uses Aboriginal melodies and rhythms. One of these is the main theme of the piece for percussion ensemble "Djilile" (track 6).



"Best of Peter Sculthorpe" covers a range of genres: brass band, orchestra, strings, percussion ensemble, choir and concerto are all represented. And the disc also gives a good feeling for the range in Sculthorpe's style - from the dry and shimmering "Sun Music III" (which is probably the most "difficult" selection included) to the joyful, medieval-like A cappella Christmas carol "Awake Glad Heart". There is also a rather saccharine arrangement of Australia's national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair" (which I normally have to skip, but the lushness of this track might appeal to some.)



This CD makes an excellent introduction to Peter Sculthorpe's music.



And now, because I feel like procrastinating a little more, the pieces on this disc:



The Fifth Continent: Small Town

Little Serenade

Sun Music III

Piano Concerto: Calmo

Earth Cry

Djilile

Awake Glad Heart

Sonata for Strings No.3

Child of Australia: An Australian Anthem

Advance Australia Fair

Port Arthur: In Memorium

"