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Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals

Made for young and old, Meredith Connie's performances on this CD have enchanted audiences across two continents, evoking fantastical worlds and appealing to classical and non-classical, guitar and non-guitar based audiences.

The program is based around the major new work for guitar and narration, "In the Wild", and is complemented by works that are themed around fantastical worlds and things that go bump in the night (works by Stepan Rak, J.K Mertz, Phillip Houghton). It’s a fun, dynamic program and has gotten great responses from audiences for it’s ageless appeal and programmatic elements.

Featuring the virtuosic, fiery drama of Stepan Rak’s Czech Fairy Tales, the foreboding supernatural darkness of nineteenth century virtuoso guitarist J.K. Mertz, and the whimsy and playfulness of Philip Houghton’s Gothica, this new solo guitar recording traverses the heightened world of fantasy. In the tradition of Platero Y Yo (Castelnuovo-Tedesco) and other works for guitar and narration, the recording also features a new work by Meredith Connie based on the poetry of David Elliott, titled “In the Wild”. Ranging from the humorous to the tragic, these short character pieces depict various wild animals, and have been praised by numerous international artists:

"I played my little set of seven ‘In the Wild’ critters tonight… I get to look out at the audience a lot-which is good on nights like tonight when I am seeing a lot of reaction to the pieces. [Many] have told me they were really struck by them and thought the music was awesome."
Joe Pecoraro, Guitar department chair, North Carolina School of the Arts; http://www.josephpecoraro.com

"I love how original what you're doing is, and of course, obviously, the way each of your short compositions captures the animal and the spirit of the poem. I can see this working as a set in a concert. …I love these pieces. I was going to let you know which were my favorites, but the more I listen,the more I love all of them. Looking forward to seeing the others!"
David Elliott, poet; https://www.davidelliottbooks.com

"I heard… In the Wild last year and just loved it. Fabulous piece and I'm looking forward to playing it myself now."
Amy Bruksch, guitarist and educator; http://mallarmemusic.org/?staff=amy-brucksch-guitar

Artist

Meredith Connie

Meredith concertizes regularly as a soloist and with ensembles, over a wide range of styles and periods. Known for her vitality as a performer and her charm as a presenter, concert music is always put in context and the audience put at their ease. Her interpretations are characterized by an understanding of the drama and the story behind every piece.


Press quote

“A collection of delicate miniatures and stories, ‘made for the young and the old'. Connie’s performance across the album is fluid, showcasing a skilful technique which allows for elegant nuances and expression throughout her playing. Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals is overall a gentle listen; such is the nature of a solo guitar recording. This creates an intimacy which has many merits but may best be heard by children in smaller segments, in order to hold their attention.”

Read full review

— Tamara Kohler, Music Trust e-zine Loud Mouth

Audio previews

Track Listing

    In the Wild Meredith Connie

  1. Lion
  2. Elephant
  3. Giraffe
  4. Zebra
  5. Rhinoceros
  6. Sloth
  7. Jaguar
  8. Panda
  9. Tiger
  10. Orangutan
  11. Kangaroo
  12. Buffalo
  13. Wolf
  14. Polar Bear

    15. Bardenklänge Johann Kaspar Mertz

  15. Fingals-Höhle
  16. Abendlied
  17. Unruhe
  18. Elfenreigen

    19. Gothica: Book of Spooks and Spectres Phillip Houghton

  19. The old Spanish Castle is Full of Vampires, Sleeping
  20. The Gates that Hold King Kong
  21. Juju
  22. Spell
  23. Headhunter
  24. They of the Half Light
  25. Czech Fairy Tales Stepan Rak Meredith Connie

    26. Four Monsters Jim Ferguson

  26. Frankenstein meets the Jazzman
  27. The Raven Vanishes
  28. Mad Love
  29. The Fly

Performers

Composers

Jim Ferguson

Cited as a “Californian guitar supremo” by the Belfast Telegraph, Jim Ferguson has had a long and varied musical career.

Phillip Houghton

Phillip Houghton's guitar music has been performed and recorded by leading musicians, including John Williams and Timothy Kain, who recently recorded his Three Duets. Some 20 of his guitar solos, published by Moonstone Music, are on the national music syllabus (AMEB) and is also represented in the new Benjamin Verdery Guitar Series for Frederick Harris Publishers.


Where to buy

Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Apple Music.

Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Release date
October 2017
Copyright
© 2017 Meredith Connie
Phonogram
℗ 2017 Move Records
Categories
Classical, Spoken word
Catalogue number
MCD 567
Alternate catalogue number
MCD567
Barcode
EAN 9314574056723