Johanna Selleck Becoming
based on two forms of Japanese poetry
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Dean Sky-Lucas tenor, Jerzy Kozlowski bass, Adam Simmons shakuhachi,
Lynette Rayner violin, Zachary Johnston violin, Barbara Hornung viola, Caerwen Martin cello,
The CD Becoming is based on two forms of Japanese poetry—haiku and renga. Becoming uses haiku in three languages (French, English and Tibetan) by poets from 10th-century Japan through to contemporary Australia. Becoming is structured in the style of renga which is an ‘elongated’ form of haiku incorporating linked stanzas composed by different poets.
Composer Johanna Selleck (1959–) is also a flautist and musicologist. Her compositions have been performed by some of the most renowned performers in Australia & internationally, including those on this CD.
Move MCD629
Available from Buywell Music. See more info at www.move.com.au
Johanna Selleck The Prospect and Power of Bliss
Two Song Cycles with poetry by Aphra Behn and Graeme Ellis
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Judith Dodsworth soprano
Anne Norman shakuhachi, Arwen Johnston percussion, Caroline Almonte piano
Info
The Prospect and Power of Bliss — poetry by Aphra Behn
Seven Tanka — poetry by Graeme Ellis
The CD The Prospect and Bower of Bliss presents two song settings by Australian composer Johanna Selleck of poetry by the English poet and dramatist Aphra Behn (1640–1689) and Melbourne-born poet Graeme Ellis (1944–). Although separated by time and geography, the different styles of Behn’s and Ellis’ poetry are nevertheless linked by the vividness with which they both portray matters closest to the heart and create a sense of immediacy, emotional depth, and connection with nature. These themes are integral to Selleck’s personal compositional style and are reflected in her settings of the poems.
Aphra Behn is recognised as one of the most influential dramatists of the seventeenth century and is also known as the first professional female writer, who was able to make her living entirely from writing. She was considered scandalous in her own time, with no topic off-limits, whether religious, political or sexual. The Prospect and Bower of Bliss explores ideas about love & sexuality in an idyllic pastoral setting.
In contrast, Graeme Ellis’ Seven Tanka borrows from the ancient Japanese art of haiku. Tanka is a related poetic form with 5 lines as compared to 3 lines for haiku and similarly built upon lines of 5 and 7 syllables. Ellis was inspired to compose his Seven Tanka when he heard Merlyn Quaife sing Selleck’s Songs of the Earth and Sky for soprano and percussion. Hence, a circular pattern of influence between poet and composer emerges.
Composer Johanna Selleck (1959–) is also a flautist and musicologist. Her compositions have been performed by some of the most renowned performers in Australia & internationally, including those on this CD.
Available from Tall Poppies or see their complete catalogue at www.tallpoppies.net
Brett Dean Bliss—an Opera in three acts
3 CD set—Libretto by Amanda Holden after the novel by Peter Carey. Conducted by Elgar Howarth
Merlyn Quaife premièred the opera creating the role of Betty Joy opposite Peter Coleman-Wright as Harry Joy.
Review
“Merlyn Quaife works stratospheric miracles as his unscrupulous wife.”
For more of the Review, see the attached
Available from the ABC Shop Online and Dimmocks Book Shops
Roger Heagney Fortune My Foe
Merlyn Quaife soprano, with Andrea Katz piano, perform song cycles by Roger Heagney based on poetry by Graeme Ellis.
Merlyn says
“The beauty, power and depth of the music and poetry resonate well with the work of ACRATH who assist victims of human trafficking.”
Money raised by the sale of this CD is totally channeled to ACRATH.
Available from Buywell and the Trading Circle shops around Australia
Lawrence Whiffin Murchitt, a daydream
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Tyrone Landau tenor, William Henderson speaker, Astra Choir and Ensemble, John McCaughey conductor
‘A prose-poem engendering a logic at play between fantasy, narrative and parody’
Available from ... The Astra Chamber Music Society T +61 3 9326 5424
Richard Meale Cantilena pacifica
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Erica Kennedy violin
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Richard Mills and Dobbs Franks conductors
Concert Monologue from Mer de Glace Merlyn Quaife soprano
Playlist
Cantilea pacifica Erica Kennedy violin,Variations, Lumen, Clouds now and then, Homage to Garcia Lorca
Available from Amazon
Johanna Beyer Sticky Melodies
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Daniel Goode clarinet, Miwako Abe violin, Aaron Barnden violin, Erkki Veltheim viola, Rosanne Hunt cello, Craig Hill clarinet, Peter Dumsday piano, Kim Bastin piano, Nicholas Synot double-bass Astra Chamber Music Society, John McCaughey musical director
Available from New World Records
Bright Vessel
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Stephen Robinson oboe, oboe d’Amore, Elyane Laussade piano, Marshall McGuire harp, Peter Neville percussion, Slava Grigoryan guitar
Info
Bright Vessel is a significant collection of Australian works featuring solo oboe. Recorded by Stephen Robinson after two decades as an orchestral oboist, the eclectic program represents some of Australia’s most notable composers and performers.
Playlist
Richard Mills Pastoral, Liza Lim Ming Qi, Brenton Broadstock I Touched Your Glistening Tears, Matthew Hindson Night Pieces, Dennis VaughanWords Are History, Dennis Vaughan Mary’s Plea, Larry Sitsky Sayat Nova, Michael Smetanin Chromium Yellow, Shaun Rigney end point, Richard Mills Six Preludes, Elena Kats-Chernin Charmer’s Apprentice
Available from Buywell
Gordon Kerry Medea
A chamber opera in five scenes, with music by Gordon Kerry and libretto by Justin Macdonnell after Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Angela Giblin mezzo-soprano, Michael C Smith tenor, David Lemke baritone
Chamber Made Orchestra, Mark Summerbell conductor
Info
Australian composer Gordon Kerry’s chamber opera Medea tells the classic mythological story of aimagical woman and the man she loves, Jason of the Argonauts. Having betrayed her family, stolen their prized Golden Fleece and murdered her younger brother to delay her father’s furious pursuit, Medea now becomes the victim herself when her beloved Jason, seeking refuge in Corinth, agrees to marry the king’s daughter in return for safety for himself and his sons. Rejected by the man for whom she risked everything, Medea wreaks a terrible revenge. This live recording, conducted by Mark Summerbell and featuring Merlyn Quaife in the title role, is the only commercially available recording of this brilliant Australian work.
Available from the Buywell
Lest we forget A manifest of struggle and hope
Merlyn Quaife soprano and Andrea Katz piano
Playlist
Walter Würzburger Vereinsamt Victor Jara Manifiesto Randy Newman Political Science Dennis Vaughan Mary’s plea Henri Duparc Elégie Alec Volkoviski Shtiler, shtiler Abel Meeropol (aka Lewis Allen) Strange fruit Cabaret songs from Kamp! Maria Theresia the Empress, Theresienstadt Questions, The Little Café in Terezin, Letter to my Child, A Suitcase Speaks Arnold Bax Rann of Exile Oscar Straus Altes Ghettoliedchen, Op 108 Francis Poulenc C Dennis Vaughan Words are history Kurt Weill Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib John Lennon Imagine Randy Newman In Germany before the war, Franz Liszt Über allen Gipfeln istiRuh.
Merlyn and Andrea say
“ Welcome to the world’s first ‘classical’ protest CD. The music is wide-ranging, from Germany, France, England, Austria, Chile, USA, and Australia, covering issues as diverse as world wars, the Holocaust, dictatorships and the stolen generation. It is a no-holds-barred plea for humanity to get a grip on humanitarian values, before it is too late.
“ The CD has been undertaken as a labour-of-love by the artists & by Tall Poppies, with the profits going to the Fitzroy Learning Network in Melbourne, which gives educational and other assistance to refugees in Australia.
“ This collection of songs began as a protest against recent events in our country, to remind ourselves that the relaxed and comfortable culture our government was intent on bringing us was in fact based on lies, fear, threats, apathy, hatred and the glorification of small-minded selfishness. Above them all, and most perniciously, came the vaunting fallacy that this selfish indifference was quite acceptable, the idea that not caring is somehow simply human and a harmless and innocent thing to do. Listen to our songs. Not caring is never harmless. All the songs were written by and about people whose plight was caused because others did not care enough to see; or even worse, they saw and did not care enough to stop what was happening. The songs, born of suffering or the knowledge of suffering, demonstrate compassion and even love. That is what gives them their strength: the real voice of humanity.”
Available from Fish Fine Music
Recital Australian Art Song
Merlyn Quaife soprano and Michael Kieran Harvey piano
Playlist
Percy Grainger The Power of Love, Hard Hearted Barb’ra (H)Ellen, The Love Song of the Har Dyal, The Sprig of Thyme, Willow, Willow, Died for Love, Fritz Hart Five Songs to Texts by William Sharp Op 64, Dorian Le Gallienne Three Shakespeare Settings Linda Phillips Two Songs, Christopher Willcock Betrayers, David Horowicz Midsummer Daydream, Keith Humble Eight Cabaret Song
Review
“A fearless soprano fascinates ... Think a recital of Australian art songs is bound to be dull? Not when Merlyn Quaife is singing them.” Sandra Bowdler
Available from Australian Music Centre
Solitudo Alone in Darkness
Merlyn Quaife soprano, State Orchestra of Victoria, Richard Mills conductor
“Excerpts from two of the most important operas of our time and from two orchestral song cycles...”
Playlist
John McCabe Notturni ed Alba for soprano and orchestra (1970), Richard Meale Mer de Glace (Opera in Two Acts with Prologue, 1991), Claire Clairemont Beside the Lake, On the Mer de Glace, Prelude: Lake Geneva,
Village Dance, Mary Shelley’s Nightmare, Christopher Willcock Two Soliloquies for soprano and strings, Pieta, Break of Day, John Adams Nixon in China (Opera in Three Acts, 1987) Madam Mao’s Aria
Available from BuyWell
Sunday Morning at St Francis’ Masses by Mozart and Haydn
2 CD set
Playlist
Mozart Coronation Mass in C major, K 317 Merlyn Quaife soprano, Haydn Nelson Mass, Mozart Missa Solemnis in C major, K 337, Haydn Paukenmesse ‘Missa in tempore belli’ Merlyn Quaife soprano
“In loving memory of Barbara Marron, a True Believer in St Francis’ Choir and founder of the Friends of the Choir”
Available from St Francis Choir
Mozart, Schubert, Gerhard, Moretti and Gustavino
Night and Dreams (Nacht und Träume)
Merlyn Quaife soprano and Jochen Schubert guitar
Playlist
Mozart Ridente la Calma, Oiseaux si tous les ans, Die Zufriedenheit Komm, Liebe Zither Moretti LaiReflexion,
LaiExplicacion, El Descuido Schubert Heiden-Röslein, Nacht und Träume; Ständchen Gerhard LaiIndita, EliToro, LaiAusencia, Un Galan y su Morena, LaiLobada, La Muerta y la Donzella, Reinas de la Baraja Gustavino Severa Villafane, Ay Que el Alma, Puebliti, mi pueblo
Review
“... thoroughly versatile singer, capable of going straight from Baroque to computer music.” TheiAustralian
Available from Australian Music Centre
Manuel de Falla Songs and Piano Music
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Len Vorster piano, Anthony Field guitar and Ben Dickinson percussion
Playlist
Canciones populares españolas, Nocturno for Piano, Serenata andaluza for Piano, Preludios, Dos rimas: Olas gigantes, Tus ojillos negros, El pan de Ronda, Pour le tombeau de Paul Dukas, Dos rimas: Dios mío qué solos, Oración de las madres que tienen a sus hijos en brazos, Obras Desconocidas for Piano No 3, Canto de los Romeros del Volga, Obras Desconocidas for Piano No 2, Danza de Gnomos, Vals-capricho, Cantares de Nochebuena No 1, Pastores venir, Cantares de Nochebuena No 2, Maravilla nunca vista, Cantares de Nochebuena No 4, Un pastor lleva un pavo, Cantares de Nochebuena No 6, En el portal de Belén, Cantares de Nochebuena Noi7, Por la calle abajito, Cantares de Nochebuena No 5, Venga la bota
Available from Amazon
Manuel de Falla Popular Spanish Suite / Three Pieces for Piano / Psyche /
Concerto for Harpsicord
Merlyn Quaife soprano, Rosanne Hunt cello, Elizabeth Anderson harpsichord, Len Vorster piano, Elizabeth Sellars violin and The Schirmer Ensemble, Brett Kelly conductor
Playlist
Canciones populares españolas No 1, El paño moruno, El sombrero de tres picos: Dance of the Corregidor, Eliamor brujo: Pantomime, El amor brujo: Canción del amor dolorido “Love’s Sorrow”, Mazurka for Piano in C, Serenata for Piano in E minor, Obras Desconocidas for Piano No 1, Canción, Psyché, Homenaje ‘Le tombeau de Claude Debussy’, Soneto a Córdoba, Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello, Cancionesz populares españolas No 5, Nana, Canciones populares españolas No 6, Canción, Canciones populares españolas No 7, Polo, Canciones populares españolas No 3, Asturiana, Canciones populares españolas No 4, Jota
Available from Amazon
Australia Unite! Road to Federation
Merlyn Quaife soprano, John Bolton-Wood baritone
State Orchestra of Victoria, Richard Divall conductor
Info
This recording celebrates Australia’s musical heritage from the years of the mid-late 1800s. Patriotic songs, waltzes, polkas and gallops are all presented here in an authentic style by singers Merlyn Quaife and John Bolton-Wood with the State Orchestra of Victoria conducted by Richard Divall.
Playlist
… Lavenu arr Richard Divall, I Cannot Sing Tonight Merlyn Quaife soprano
Available from Amazon
Bright Tracks The Chamber Music of Brenton Broadstock
Merlyn Quaife soprano, with the Ormond College Choir, and a host of others
Playlist
Clear Flame Within, Aureole 3, In the Silence of Night, Bright Tracks, At the going down of the sun, Aureole 4, All That is Solid Melts into Air, Dying of the Light, Fourteenth Station of the Cross, Beast From Air, I touched your glistening tears..., String Quartet No 2
Review
“Bright Tracks, featuring soprano Merlyn Quaife was awarded the illustrious Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize in 1994.”
Available from BuyWell
Felix Werder Aspect
Merlyn Quaife soprano
Playlist
Symphony No 1 Op 6, Gryphiusad Op 319, The Wenzel Connection Op 276 Clarinet Concerto, Belsazer Op 260, Symphony No 4 Op 107, Carrion Comfort Op 138, Saxophone Quartet and Percussion Op 250, Violin
Sonata No 3 Op 232
Review
“... foremost opera singer with an outstanding reputation in Europe for her interpretation of contemporary music.”
Available from Cumquat Records
Tall Poppies 10th Birthday Sampler
Info
The works on this CD have been chosen to highlight the performers and composers whose work has been recorded and released by Tall Poppies over the last four years. In many ways this choice has been a personal one, but I have also tried to sample the many series of CDs that Tall Poppies has initiated over the last ten years.
Available from Australian Music Centre
