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Night Thoughts

During the long still nights of the Covid pandemic, pianist Len Vorster, well-known as a thoughtful accompanist, spent most of his evenings listening to a wide array of music ranging from Schumann to Copland. He also spent a lot of time thinking about the music. These ruminations developed into the wide ranging, fascinating and beautiful program of 15 deep-rooted works.

Night Thoughts evolved in 2020 during the extended Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia. This was a time where the curfew stillness of night provided the perfect space to listen to and be inspired by music that resonated with a range of thoughts triggered by the pandemic. Although there were many moments of frustration, fear and sadness, there was also an ongoing yearning for a silver lining.

Silberstreif by Jillian Rose Tymms, written for him in 2020, encapsulates this uncharted experience. This CD was recorded in 2022 and celebrates the centenary of 2 works composed in 1922 (just after the Spanish flu pandemic) – Bloch’s love poem In
 the 
Night and Hindemith’s Nachtstück 
from “1922” Suite
 for 
Piano. This elegiac tribute concludes with the tolling bells in Copland’s Night Thoughts.

This is Len Vorster's second solo piano album release. His first was Summer Waves, released in 2003.

Artist

Len Vorster

Len Vorster is one of Australia's finest accompanists and is artistic director of Classical Palette (a series of Naxos recordings devoted to contemporary music), of the Schirmer Ensemble, and of Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.


Track Listing

  1. In The Night – A Love Poem Ernest Bloch
  2. Nocturne in C-Sharp minor, Op. 19: No. 4 Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  3. 'Soirees Musicales', Op. 6 No. 2 Notturno in F Major Clara Schumann
  4. Nocturne No. 11 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 104: No. 1 Gabriel Fauré
  5. Silberstreif – Nocturne in E Major, Op. 1: No. 1 Jillian Rose Tymms
  6. Nachtstück '1922' – Suite for Piano, Op. 26: No. 3' Paul Hindemith
  7. Aux Etoiles Henri Duparc
  8. 3 Fantasy Pieces, Op. 6: No. 2 Notturno Charles Tomlinson Griffes
  9. Nocturne – Seascape Peter Sculthorpe
  10. Nocturne No. 1 Erik Satie
  11. Nocturne No. 4, Bal fantôme Francis Poulenc
  12. Sonata for Flute and Piano II. Nocturne Michael Easton Arr: Len Vorster
  13. Nocturne from 'Giselle's Mania' Leonid Desyatnikov
  14. Moments of Night, No. 4 Peter Klatzow
  15. Night Thoughts – 'Homage to Ives' Aaron Copland

Composers

Ernest Bloch

Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) is best known for his music on Jewish cultural and liturgical themes, Bloch was an eclectic modernist composer who drew inspiration from around the globe to create his original and compelling language. His music speaks with the intensity, freshness, and variety of a force of nature.

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. He wrote some of the most popular concert and theatrical music in the classical repertoire, including the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, and the 1812 Overture.

Clara Schumann

Gabriel Fauré

Gabriel Urbain Fauré was a French composer, pianist, organist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his era, and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers.

Jillian Rose Tymms

Jillian Rose Tymms is a dedicated female Australian composer, teacher, and musician, whose artistic journey has been guided by a deep passion for music and a profound connection to the world around her.

Paul Hindemith

Henri Duparc

Charles Tomlinson Griffes

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).

Erik Satie

Francis Poulenc

Michael Easton

Michael Easton's music reflects his own ebullience, energy and good humor. It is entirely accessible - reliant upon ear-catching melodies, piquant harmonies, and brilliant orchestration.

Aaron Copland


Where to buy

Night Thoughts 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
Release date
September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 Len Vorster
Phonogram
℗ 2023 Move Records
Category
Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 647
Alternate catalogue number
MCD647
Barcode
EAN 9314574064728