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Giants In The Land

Recorded in Melba Hall, this world premiere recording finds Melbourne pianist Ian Holtham performing a brilliant cross-section of Australian contemporary piano works, including those by Brenton Broadstock, Linda Kouvaras, Stephen Ingham, Stuart Greenbaum, Johanna Selleck and Christine McCombe.

Here was sung the first songs,
here was breathed the message of the sun -
in those days there were giants in the land.
There was also magic in the air.

Recorded in Melba Hall at the University of Melbourne, this world premiere recording finds Melbourne pianist Ian Holtham performing a selection of recent Australian contemporary piano works, including those by Brenton Broadstock, Linda Kouvaras, Stephen Ingham, Stuart Greenbaum, Johanna Selleck and Christine McCombe.

Artist

Ian Holtham

Professor Ian Holtham is one of the most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues in Australia and his performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have played to packed houses and rave reviews for many years.


Press quotes

“offers the listener many contrasting 'landscapes' to enjoy ... This CD is remarkable for its sustained pianistic virtuosity and the depth, complexity and variety of the compositions.”

— Elizabeth Scarlett, ArtStreams

“Ian Holtham plays ... with taste and admirable musicianship ... the disc is highly recommended.”

— Peter Larsen, 3MBS FM Libretto

“This release demonstrates the sheer artistic innovation and diversity of six Australian composers ... fascinating repertoire.”

— Ron Payne, Music Teacher Magazine

“an excellent program of Australian piano music”

— Tony Way, The Age - Green Guide

“a brilliant cross-section of Australian contemporary piano works”

— New Classics, UK

Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. Giants in the Land Brenton Broadstock 10:31
  2. Recantations Johanna Selleck 5:33
  3. Secrets of the Amphitheatre Linda Kouvaras 5:28

    4. Songs of Truth and Loneliness Christine McCombe

  4. first song 3:24
  5. fragmentation #1 1:59
  6. lullaby 1:55
  7. ... 1:49
  8. two voices alone 1:39
  9. lux aeterna 1:53
  10. fragmentation #2 3:24
  11. truth 2:05
  12. New Roads, Old Destinations Stuart Greenbaum 10:03
  13. Long Flat Blues Stephen Ingham 6:34
  14. But I want the harmonica Stuart Greenbaum 7:51
  15. Dying of the Light Brenton Broadstock 12:41

Performers

Composers

Brenton Broadstock

Brenton Broadstock is now one of Australia's most well established, respected and successful mid-generation composers.

Johanna Selleck

Johanna Selleck is a composer, musicologist, and flautist. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, where she is currently an honorary fellow. Her compositions have been performed by internationally renowned artists including in Australia, Europe, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malta, and Israel.

Linda Kouvaras

Linda Kouvaras is a pianist, composer and musicologist, with particular interests in contemporary music. She has recorded, commissioned, and premiered numerous contemporary Australian works for piano, performing extensively in city and regional centres.

Christine McCombe

Christine McCombe initially studied composition in Australia before moving to the UK in 1997 to complete an MMus at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied with James MacMillan. Many of Christine's compositions have been performed by leading ensembles and soloists in both Australia and the Europe.

Stuart Greenbaum

The Stuart Greenbaum sound has overt connections to jazz, pop and minimalism but is equally grounded in the Western art music tradition.

Stephen Ingham

Stephen Ingham has had a broad and varied career as a composer,music critic and academic. He was awarded a doctorate by the University of York in 1981,where his research involved the application of computers to musical composition. Since 1993, he has lived and worked in Australia, where he was first employed in the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne.


Where to buy

Giants In The Land is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music.

Giants In The Land 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
76 minutes 49 seconds
Release date
May 2003
Copyright
© 2002 Move Records
Phonogram
℗ 2002 Move Records
Categories
Australian, Classical, Keyboard
Catalogue number
MD 3239
Alternate catalogue number
MD3239
Barcode
EAN 9314574323924