The Sparrow and the Mead Hall
Composed and (mostly) performed by Michael Kieran Harvey these works range in style from the extended techniques and rarefied atmosphere of Piano Sonata #7 to the more traditional romanticism of Liszt and Busoni in the Four Ballades, to the entertaining bebop language of Lawyers… and the strident metal-influenced satire of Death Cap Mushroom.
Artists
Michael Kieran Harvey
Australian pianist and composer, Dr Michael Kieran Harvey FAHA, is one of the foremost interpreters of contemporary piano music of his generation. A champion of Australian music and himself a composer, he regularly commissions new Australian music and has performed with Australia's leading contemporary music ensembles and orchestras.
Theodore Pike
Theo plays keyboards on the premiere recording of Michael Kieran Harvey's "Death Cap Mushroom" which is part of The Sparrow and the Mead Hall album.
Alex Bull
Alex plays drums on the premiere recording of Michael Kieran Harvey's "Death Cap Mushroom" which is part of The Sparrow and the Mead Hall album.
Press quotes
“... remarkable music-making of high quality ... the fecundity of this composer’s imagination is on display in a technical display that shows no breaks, no cracks in development.”
Read full review— Clive O'Connell, O'Connell the Music
“Michael Kieran Harvey’s music is uncompromising in its integrity and for that we should all be most thankful. The thing about Michael Kieran Harvey’s compositions is that he has this vast virtuosic inhabitancy upon which to draw. He also possesses an astute mind which directs him in his composing towards structural devices that define, shape and ground his works. But more and more, for this listener at least, he allows himself to ‘let go’ such that there is this wondrous balance between the mind’s sound configurations, his virtuosic skill, and this outpouring of feeling states. Thus, one aspect of his musicianship is never allowed to overwhelm another, indeed they are fertile compatriots. ... if there is a theme across the album, it is this questioning of what we can accept in life and what we cannot, and how we respond. We ground ourselves in all manner of ways, some by seeking out patterns, and repeating occurrences which do make sense. And ultimately, we express our most inner beings musically, for our own sanity, but also to inform and advocate for what we can accept. In this manner, Harvey’s music is uncompromising in its integrity and for that we should all be most thankful.”
Read full review— Mandy Stefanakis, Loud Mouth Music Trust e-zine
“Harvey has taken up the gauntlet thrown down by Zappa, added his own massive creativity and offers a challenge to listeners about what they can expect from an album of piano music, or even from a series of compositions by a modern composer. This stunningly gifted Australian pianist and composer has a very clear background idea that motivates his compositions, his technique, his chord progressions, his compositional textures, his melodic outlines and his extra-musical performance practice. These works are composed and (mostly) performed by Michael Kieran Harvey. As always, this disc includes extensive and interesting notes on each piece and performance.”
Read full review— Endre Anaru, Classical Music Daiy
Track Listing
- Stark
- Implacable
- Quasi fantasia
- Fast
- I. Non fui (Misterioso)
- II. Fui (Ansioso)
- III. Non sum (Free, atmospheric)
- IV. Non curo (Distaccato)
- Lawyers Are Lovely Misunderstood People and We Should All Be Much Kinder to Them for Piano (2021) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Death Cap Mushroom (2021) Michael Kieran Harvey
Four Ballades for Piano (2021) Michael Kieran Harvey
Piano Sonata #7: “The Sparrow and the Mead Hall” (2021) Michael Kieran Harvey
Performers
- Michael Kieran Harvey · piano · all except track 10
- Theodore Pike · piano · track 10
- Alex Bull · drums · track 10
Contributors
Concrete poetry
Arjun von Caemmerer
Dr Arjun von Caemmerer is a Hobart-based general medical practitioner, Iyengar Yoga teacher/practitioner and writer. In 1995 (with Naomi Cameron) he established The Hobart School of Iyengar Yoga.
Where to buy
The Sparrow and the Mead Hall 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
- Contributor
- Arjun von Caemmerer
- Release date
- December 2023
- Copyright
- © 2023 Move Records
- Phonogram
- ℗ 2023 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Catalogue number
- MD 3471
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574347128
