Peter Dart: Chamber Music and Songs
Painters sometimes talk about the intensity of the light they encounter in Australia. Peter Dart, born in Sydney in 1953, brings something of that brightness to his compositions, which are further animated by buoyant rhythms and a lively sense of humour, even mischief. They are, at the same time, anchored in a secure command of counterpoint, and given a timeless quality by his fondness for modal harmony. Most important of all, the technical mastery that gives these works their surefooted appeal is suffused with straightforward human warmth.
Daniel Herscovitch, piano (Tracks 1 – 12, 14 – 17)
Clemens Leske, piano (Tracks 1 – 3)
Jenny Duck-Chong, mezzo-soprano (Tracks 4 – 7, 14 – 17)
Sally Walker, flute (Tracks 15 – 16), piccolo (Tracks 14 – 17)
Geoffrey Gartner, cello (Tracks 8 – 12)
Brad Gill, percussion (Tracks 14 – 17)
Alison Pratt, marimbas (Track 13)
Listen To This Recording:
-
Triptych for two pianos (2011)
- I Sirens
- II Circles
- III Poseidon
- No. 1 This is just to say
- No. 2 Poem (As the cat)
- No. 3 The Locust Tree in Flower
- No. 4 To
- I Prelude (Cantilena and Arabesque)
- II Fugue
- III Tarantella
- IV Samba
- V Lullaby
- BirdTalk for two marimbas and pre-recorded sounds
- I here’s a little mouse
- II from spiraling ecstatically
- III i am a little church (Aeterna Christi munera)
- IV nobody loses all the time
Four Short Songs for mezzo-soprano and piano (2017)
Traceries for cello and piano (2016)
BirdTalk for two marimbas and pre-recorded sounds (2018)
of heaven and earth for mezzo-soprano, flute, percussion and piano (2020)
FIRST RECORDINGS
Music Trust :
‘Rousing music, picturesque and imaginative, is delivered via breathtaking bravura performances by Daniel Herscovitch and Clemens Leske. This masterwork [Triptych] is a tour-de-force and a significant addition to the two-piano genre. […]
[Traceries] is a superb work for any cello/piano duo. Also, a possibility exists that any of the movements could be played separately, given the right context, for example, as an encore. […]
Sensitively programmed as a carefree contrast to the last-heard music of “Lullaby”, Birdtalk (2018) offers a pleasurable image of groups of little birds chirruping and chattering together in the trees as they gather for their dawn (or sunset) chorus. Scored for two marimbas and pre-recorded sounds, this joyous little gem of about 5 minutes duration is performed with sparkle and panache by Alison Pratt. […]
The [Four Short Songs] is a fascinating mix of quirky and profound. The mellifluous voice of Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo) combines admirably with the outstanding skills of Sally Walker (flute/piccolo), Brad Gill (percussion) and Daniel Herscovitch (piano). […]
Texts for the songs are included in the booklet – an advantage because it is rewarding to read and think about the poet’s words, with and without the music. The booklet also contains biographical information, program notes and recording details; all pieces on the CD are premier recordings and showcase the expertise of technical engineer David Kim-Boyle.
Daniel Herscovitch has been the driving force behind this exposition of Peter Dart’s work, the result of a strong conviction that it needs wide exposure. The range and depth of the music clearly demonstrates the composer’s confident mastery of his craft; his sure and sophisticated technical ability is evident, as well as a joy in life, a great sense of fun and much more. We can only hope that this late flowering produces further creativity in the years ahead.’
—Gwen Bennett, Music Trust