Various Artists - Move 50 (2019) [Hi-Res]

A special selection to celebrate Move Records’ 50th year. Twenty-four Australian composers were invited to create a new short work for this special commemorative album.

The works vary in length, from Tony Gould's delightful one minute offering, to an amazing eight minute piece for bass flute performed by Peter Sheridan. Other performers include Christopher Young, Ron Nagorcka, Lyndon Green, Merlyn Quaife, Andrea Katz, Gabriella Smart, Stefan Cassomenos, Benjamin Price, Warren Burt, Linda Kouvaras, Deviani Segal, and Robert Schubert.

15 of the works are performed by pianist extraordinaire Michael Kieran Harvey.

For 50 years Move Records has been supporting Australian classical and jazz composers and musicians. Move 50 is a landmark album featuring twenty-four Australian composers who contributed mostly original works to mark the occasion. The booklet includes brief commentary from each of the composers.

On the back cover of the booklet a poetic tribute from Arjun von Caemmerer sums up just some of the commitment Move Records has shown to the Australian Music Industry.

Move 50 will appeal to those listeners who appreciate both standard and experimental classical and jazz compositions. The talent and variety of music is immense, offering broad appeal.

“Music lovers are aware that by now contemporary music is no longer as 'difficult' or atonal as it became in the mid-late 20th century. Today, styles labeled (mainly for convenience) as post-impressionist or post-minimalist utilise tonal harmony, and are primarily studies in texture designed to delight the ear. There are many such pieces here. The bulk of the works are for solo piano, all performed with great sensitivity by Michael Kieran Harvey. If he is not the unsung hero of Australian music, he's definitely under-sung – but not by Move Records, who have produced over two dozen CDs with this remarkable composer/pianist. Harvey's own piece for prepared piano (Keen), marries musical argument to sonic experimentation. To close, we have a brief track from an earlier disc: Julian Yu's very witty variation on Happy Birthday for clarinet and string quartet. It strikes just the right note to end this terrific celebratory collection.” — Phil Scott, Fine Music VIP Newsletter

“Australia's favourite homegrown label turns 50 with new birthday. 24 Australian composers were invited to contribute a short work, and this commemorative release is the result. Highlights include ' A Memory on the Move' by Ron Nagorcka, on which piano and didgeridoo intertwine to great effect. Ros Bandt's mysterious and evocative 'Mystic Morn' is an understated gem beautifully performed by Gabriella Smart. Soprano Merlyn Quaife gives a knock-out performance of 'Sonnet After John Keats' by Gordon Kerry. 'Postlude' is a wonderful inclusion of computer music from Warren Burt. 'Northcote Days' is a piano duet performed by the composer Linda Kouvaras with Deviani Segal that produces a series of dense, exuberant textures. The recording is rich and reverent ... 'Move 50' is a fascinating, historically informed snapshot of the artists that have been involved with Move and are still in a position to create new works.” — Lisa MacKinney , Limelight

Tony Gould, piano · track 1
Michael Kieran Harvey, piano · tracks 2, 4—10, 14—17, 19, 21 and 23
Christopher Young, saxophone · track 3
Ron Nagorcka, didjeridu · track 7
Lyndon Green, vocal · track 11
Andrea Katz, piano · track 11
Gabriella Smart, piano · track 12
Stefan Cassomenos, piano · track 13
Merlyn Quaife, vocal · track 13
Benjamin Price, saxophone · track 16
Peter Sheridan, flute · track 18
Warren Burt, electronics · track 20
Linda Kouvaras, piano · track 22
Deviani Segal, piano · track 22
Robert Schubert, clarinet · track 24

Tracklist:
01. Tony Gould - Heritage (01:05)
02. Roger Heagney - Noah (01:56)
03. Christopher Young - Pathways (02:02)
04. Kanako Okamoto - Bitter and Sweet (03:13)
05. Vaughan McAlley - L-ove Records (01:37)
06. George Dreyfus - Prelude Outbreak of Love (03:16)
07. Ron Nagorcka - A Memory on the Move (02:45)
08. Andrea Keller - Deep Blue (00:58)
09. Michael Kieran Harvey - Keen (04:35)
10. Brenton Broadstock - 10 An Endless Ripple (03:48)
11. Christopher Willcock - Wisdom (03:25)
12. Ros Bandt - Mystic Morn (02:29)
13. Gordon Kerry - Sonnet after John Keats (04:48)
14. Michael Bertram - Iconoclast 2 (01:59)
15. EVE DUNCAN - From a Star Afar (01:31)
16. Don Kay - Milestone Tribute (02:38)
17. Kate Tempany - Expansion - Heart Reflects Sky (04:30)
18. Paul Moulatlet - Dark star (07:53)
19. Andrian Pertout - Saral Aavart Gati (05:29)
20. Warren Burt - Postlude (03:03)
21. Simon Barber - Interpolationen (04:11)
22. Linda Kouvaras - Northcote Days (05:02)
23. Brendan Colbert - Sisyphus (03:07)
24. Julian Yu - Stepping Up Birthday (01:01)