New releases
Twenty-Five
After taking a break from recording the Chopin Op.10 etudes with the Godowsky studies, and making a welcome return to the keyboard, David Stanhope tackles some of the most technically fiendish repertoire in the piano literature - the Godowsky Studies on Chopin's Etudes Op. 25.
I was dancing with a gnat
Tall Poppies Records is proud to release a new CD recording by duo pianists Aura Go and Ian Munro, bringing the music of Russian composer Ekaterina Komalkova to the listening public in the West for the first time.
Porgy & Bess Fantasy
In the early 1980s, two of Australia’s finest pianists came together to perform several masterpieces of the piano duet repertoire. These recordings have come from both concerts and studio recordings, back in the day when these things were possible.
David Stanhope Live in concert
In this era of ubiquitous digital streaming as a means of access to music, it is sometimes good to be reminded of the energy and excitement of a live performance. This concert, with its scintillating repertoire, is a reminder of what we miss out on in our diet of studio recordings.
Pearl of May
Tall Poppies is delighted to feature Satsuki Odamura and her Koto Ensemble once more. This CD contains new Australian works composed for the koto group by Sandy Evans and Ian Cleworth, as well as a new work for solo bass koto by Mark Isaacs. All works celebrate anniversaries of Satsuki’s work in Australia and her 30th anniversary is represented by the Pearl.
In Memoriam
Roger Smalley AM (1943–2015) had a profound impact on the development of contemporary musical composition in Australia, and the initial inspiration for this project grew directly from his virtuosity both as a pianist and as a composer of visceral music for solo piano.
The Emerald Phoenix
In 2014, Tall Poppies released The Emerald Leopard (TP233) which included music for soprano and viols by Brooke Green (“intriguing…beguiling…a delight”)* The Emerald Phoenix presents recents works by Brooke Green for soprano, viols and theorbo, featuring soprano Josie Ryan and the brilliant bass viol player Laura Vaughan.
After Julia
After Julia is an album of eight contemporary works by Australian women composers responding to Julia Gillard’s tenure as Australian Prime Minster. Decibel Artistic Director, Cat Hope, was inspired to pursue the project after circumstances around Gillard’s prime ministership exposed gender discrimination within politics and wider Australian society, causing her to reflect on the new music sector.
David Pereira Cello Works
Tall Poppies is proud to present the first recording of David Pereira’s compositions for cello. Written over 20 years, these works show a clear understanding of the instrument (unsurprisingly) and often show a mischievous side that is rare in classical music these days.
Blue Sky Through Still Trees
Vanessa Sharman returns to the piano music of Tasmanian composer Don Kay, in this second recording featuring the Sonatas 5 and 9. Recorded in the beautiful acoustic of Melbourne’s Salon at the Recital Centre, Vanessa’s performances perfectly capture the delicacy and emotion of these works.
W.F.Bach & J.G. Müthel
This disc represents a cultural ‘coming of age’; fortepianists Geoffrey Lancaster and James Huntingford have teamed up to produce what can only be described as the most remarkable recording to have been released by any early instrument specialists in Australia.
Le Tango Perpetuel
Ian Munro is a superb pianist and is also recognised as an imaginative composer. These transcriptions reveal that imagination in works which are quite beguiling in this form. This CD also features a rare performance by Gerald English in his later years in the concert performance of Satie’s Sports et Divertissements.
Galop!
Stanhope is one of the very few Australian composers who enjoys the challenge of transcribing piano works for orchestra. In the past the composers themselves would have undertaken this task, in order to give popular works other performing opportunities. It’s thrilling to see what a good imagination, stellar craftsmanship and creativity can achieve.
bushfire dreams
Four marvellous works by Melbourne composers are presented here in superb performances by the Ormond Quartet, resident at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music between 2016 and 2018. Lotte Betts-Dean joins the quartet for the performance of Katy Abbott’s work.
TWO STEP
Recorded in Berlin, Brisbane and Tev Aviv, this is a truly international recording. Cathy Milliken is an Australian oboist and composer currently working from Berlin. She has involved herself in many collaborative projects with some of the best modern performers available.