Brolga Dances

This new disc from the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra showcases contemporary Australian Music for Mandolin and Guitar.

Composers include Peter Sculthorpe, Michelle Nelson, Robert Schultz, Caroline Szeto and Betty Beath.

Composers' comments:
"Thanks so much for sending me a copy of Brolga Dances. I'm really thrilled about my Little Suite for Strings. Michelle has done a truly beautiful arrangement of it - do tell her from me. I especially like the way that the strumming keeps the music moving. It doesn't even sound like an arrangement.

It's a terrific CD, with the music wonderfully conducted by Slava. The performances are just so rhythmic. Also, I like the variety in kinds of pieces and forces used. Certainly I hope it does really well. I congratulate the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra and everybody who was a part of it."
Peter Sculthorpe

"Well done to the orchestra on their interpretation of my piece; please tell them I was very pleasantly surprised. Please also congratulate Michelle on her fine work and arrangements, you are certainly lucky to have her in your ranks."
Richard Charlton

"Brolga Dances has arrived safely and has brought much pleasure. It was so good to hear such an expressive performance of Mikri Thalassa. There was a lovely sense of the rise and fall within the phrase. Conductor Slava Iourgaev understands the work and has drawn from the orchestra a response, though disciplined, has
the freedom to 'feel' out mood and emotion...so essential to the music."
Betty Beath

Artist

Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra

The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra was formed in 1967 by Peter Evans and Josef Ruecker. Their aim was ‘to develop and maintain a mandolin orchestra in Melbourne’. As well as performing regularly, the group organises summer schools, trips from overseas groups, trains new players, holds musical workshops & master classes, and commissions music.


Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. Pacifica Michelle Nelson 7:06
  2. Dances for the Mandolin and the Moon Richard Charlton 4:57

    3. Little Suite for Strings Peter Sculthorpe

  3. Sea Chant 2:15
  4. Little Serenade 1:59
  5. Left Bank Waltz 3:06
  6. Outback Robert Schulz 10:58

    7. Brolga Dances Michelle Nelson

  7. Introduction - Largo 2:32
  8. Brolga's Dance 3:11
  9. Agitato 1:19
  10. Brolga Dances 4:23

    11. Capricorn Light Michelle Nelson

  11. Capricorn Light 3:09
  12. Dances on Water 2:59
  13. Mikri Thalassa Betty Beath 6:15
  14. Stringing Caroline Szeto 7:15

Performers

Composers

Peter Sculthorpe

Born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1929 and passing away in 2014, Peter Sculthorpe was one of Australia's best-known composers and a fine pianist. Recordings of Sculthorpe's orchestral works and music for strings have won a number of Australian Record Industry Awards (ARIA).

Michelle Nelson

Michelle Nelson is a composer, guitarist and creative educator committed to developing instrumental works that are contemporary but also draw inspiration from traditional composition practice.

Michelle Nelson

Michelle Nelson is a composer, guitarist and creative educator committed to developing instrumental works that are contemporary but also draw inspiration from traditional composition practice.


Where to buy

Brolga Dances 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
Total playing time
61 minutes 24 seconds
Release date
2009
Copyright
© 2009 Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra
Phonogram
℗ 2009 Move Records
Categories
Australian, Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 410
Alternate catalogue number
MCD410
Barcode
EAN 9314574041026