Digital booklet:  View · Download

A Sympathetic Resonance

Peter Constant plays classical guitar music by Australian composers. With Marion Schaap (guitar), Mardi McSullea (flute) and Helen Noonan (soprano).

Much has been said about the explosion of activity in every aspect of the classical guitar in this country over the last decade — this CD is a sampling of a wide range of Australian guitar music put together by an Australian on an Australian made instrument.

Borrowing its title from Mark Pollard's beautiful work 'A Sympathetic Resonance', acclaimed guitarist Peter Constant has compiled a personal view of the guitar presented through music by Australian composers with whom he has enjoyed some kind of (sympathetic) working relationship.

All of the works were written with the guitar's unique voice very much in mind. Many of the pieces make full use of the instruments natural resonances and all of the music explores colourisitc or contextual characteristics peculiar to the guitar. Some of the pieces were inspired by the guitar itself such as Pluck it! by Gerard Brophy. Some were inspired by the music of past composers such as Richard Charlton's 'Valses Melodique' and Donald Hollier's 'Prelude, Book 1, #3'. And some were inspired by the Australian landscape and heritage including Phillip Houghton's 'Rain', 'Wildflower ' and Mark Pollard's "Matilda's Song" from 'Matilda's Dream' for guitar, flute (Mardi McSullea) and soprano (Helen Noonan). Also includes a piece entitled 'Prelude No. 1' by Richard Vella and a piece for guitar duo by Mark Viggiani, entitled Black Cat Tango, which Peter performs on this CD with his Z.O.O. Duo partner (and wife), Marion Schaap.

Peter Constant is one of the new breed of fine young guitarists this country has produced in recent years, with a solo performing career extending to Italy, America and Holland as well as to capital cities and regional centres of this country. He performs as half of the Z.O.O. Duo - a guitar duo with Marion Schaap. He is a founding member of Guitar Trek - a four person guitar troupe "trekking" all over Australia, Asia and U.S.A. to perform. They recently returned from a tour for Musica Viva, which saw them play in Tasmania, Queensland, NSW, Adelaide, Perth and the Northern Territory. Peter has recorded five CDs, including four on the Move label; and is Head of Guitar at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Artist

Peter Constant

Peter is one of the new breed of fine young guitarists this country has produced in recent years, with a solo performing career extending to Italy, America and Holland as well as to capital cities and regional centres of this country.


Press quote

“something that is far from the ordinary ... Australian composers can boast of a highly effective interpreter in Peter Constant ... he is totally in command of the material. His playing displays a comprehensive palette of expression and color ...”

— James Reid, Guitar Foundation of America

Track Listing

  1. Rain Phillip Houghton
  2. Just a moment Mark Pollard
  3. One sweet moment Mark Pollard
  4. In the heat of the moment Mark Pollard
  5. Guitar prelude #1 Richard Vella
  6. Wildflower Phillip Houghton
  7. Pluck it! Gerard Brophy

    8. Valses Melodique Richard Charlton

  8. Waltz one
  9. Waltz two
  10. Waltz three
  11. Waltz four
  12. Black Cat Tango Mark Viggiani
  13. 12 preludes for guitar #3 in G (homage to Chopin) Donald Hollier
  14. Matilda's Song Mark Pollard
  15. A Sympathetic Resonance Mark Pollard

Performers

Composers

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.

Mark Pollard

Australian composer Mark Clement Pollard has an eclectic compositional style utilising such diverse materials as, improvisation, jazz, pop and the indigenous music’s of South East Asia.

Gerard Brophy

Gerard Brophy is a contemporary Australian composer. His music has been performed at all the major festivals including the Gaudeamus Music Week, Warsaw Autumn, Nuove Consonanza, Nuovi Spazi Musicali and the Zagreeb Biennale.

Mark Viggiani

Mark Viggiani is a classical and contemporary guitarist and composer. He performs widely as a soloist and in various groups. His elegantly titled compositions, inspired by nature and spirituality have been performed by various groups, including Z.O.O. Duo and new music ensemble Sonance.

Donald Hollier

Born in Sydney, Donald Hollier studied piano at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. He spent much of his life working with choirs, and his many appointments in this field include conductor of the Canberra Choral Society in 1976, and Musical Director of Canberra Opera.


Where to buy

A Sympathetic Resonance is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Apple Music.

A Sympathetic Resonance 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
1998
Copyright
© 1998 Peter Constant
Phonogram
℗ 1998 Move Records
Categories
Australian, Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 105
Alternate catalogue number
MCD105
Barcode
EAN 9314574010527