PRTZL
This release of original compositions by Harvey includes solo and ensemble works centred around the monumental fourth piano sonata, a homage to the courageous anti-fascist Antonio Gramsci. This anti-fascist theme percolates through all the works, which range in mood from nostalgically whimsical to furiously satirical.
Simon Reade horn
Arabella Teniswood-Harvey piano
Tara Murphy violin
Derrick Grice clarinet
Peter Sheridan flute
Peter Neville percussion
Erik Griswold piano
Vanessa Tomlinson percussion
Anna Amalia (Duchess of Braunschweig) composer
Michael Kieran Harvey arranger
This 2-CD set includes solo piano pieces, music for two and three pianos, works for piano with clarinet, violin, viola and cello – plus Toccata DNA for piano with flute and an amazing collection of percussion. It's a revised version of the opening piece on Michael's Threnody CD.
Michael Kieran Harvey pushes the boundaries of intellect and composition further than he has ever pushed before! In a satirical take on composition, PRTZL addresses some of the most pressing current trends and issues of our time, including politics, government, philosophy, mythology, society, culture and the environment.
There are a lot of big words, big ideas and big notes in here. Just to get started consider the concepts of Hegemony, Aporia, The Locrians, Gestalt and Prime Numbers. If art is always open to interpretation, Michael Kieran Harvey has prepared a canvas layered in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours.
Profound philosophical ideas metamorphose into virtuoso musical works via the labyrinthine his pretzel-like mind. The piano is wrenched out of its accustomed home, the stately drawing room, to take on philosophical ideas of antifascists, Socrates, a Duchess of Braunschweig, sociologist Max Weber, and a notorious Hobart head-butter.
Translating these ideas to music, Harvey uses the obscure Locrian Mode, reverts to contacting the piano’s strings with flesh rather than being mediated via the keyboard, has pitch material slowly evolving like DNA, and bases his pitch material on the names of his philosophical and music heroes.
Press quotes
“PRTZL is a highly innovative exploration of people, socio-political issues and histories that occupy the wondrously fertile mind, and draw upon the musical insight and agility, of Michael Kieran Harvey. Harvey pours incredible energy, his trademark virtuosity, musical insight, intelligence and passion into everything he touches. Indeed Harvey playing Harvey really is something very special.”
— Mandy Stefanakis , Loud Mouth Music Trust e-zine
“As a composer, Harvey is well-represented in the Move catalogue, sometimes juxtaposing his own works with those of other Australian writers. On this CD, however, it’s all Harvey – compositions and performances – playing both solo and alongside some new- and long-time collaborators. Module Fugue, impresses for its rapid-fire elaboration ... the piece is full of excitement across its breadth. Toccata DNA – originally for piano, and soon after appearing in this trio format is a triumph for all involved, a marvel of synchronicity and a startling internal transition from a simplicity that is almost tonal to detonations of agility from each sound source – which, in Peter Neville’s case, is quite a few. Aporia II makes for a clever conclusion to this album. It’s the most ‘adventurous’ piece in the collection, reliant more than any other on the creativity of each performer.”
Read full review— Clive O'Connell, O'Connell the Music
Artist
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, he regularly commissions new Australian music and has performed with Australia's leading contemporary music ensembles and orchestras.
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Module Fugue (2018) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Piano Sonata No. 4 “A. Gramsci” (2018) Michael Kieran Harvey
- PRTZL (2018) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Astro Labe, Coeur de Lion (2018) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Divertimento (1780, 2019) Anna Amalia (Duchess of Braunschweig) Arr: Michael Kieran Harvey
Disc 2
- Tubby the President (2018) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Gestalt Climate (2019) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Deus est Fabula (vale Jon Lord) (2014) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Toccata DNA (revised 2017) Michael Kieran Harvey
- Aporia II Michael Kieran Harvey
Performers
- Michael Kieran Harvey
- Simon Reade · horn · disc 1 track 4; disc 2 track 1
- Arabella Teniswood-Harvey · disc 2 tracks 2 and 5
- Tara Murphy · disc 2 track 3
- Derrick Grice · disc 2 track 3
- Peter Sheridan · disc 2 track 4
- Peter Neville · disc 2 track 4
- Erik Griswold · disc 2 track 5
- Vanessa Tomlinson · disc 2 track 5
Composer
Where to listen
PRTZL is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
PRTZL is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3447
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Release date
- Sep 2019
- Musical work
copyright - © 2019 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2019 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Classical
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574344721
Related recordings
The life in between
A homage to the life of Martin Friedel, this CD features his last work, …the life in between…, written for Michael Kieran Harvey, in the context of contemporary Australian composers of virtuoso piano music, all exhibiting wildly differing styles and approaches, all closely associated with the pianist.
War Sonatas
Three piano sonatas composed by Michael Kieran Harvey on the theme of war in the 21st century. Poetry written and spoken by Arjun von Caemmerer is heard between the sonatas.
Threnody
This new edition of Michael Kieran Harvey's Threnody CD was originally released in 1995 by Astra. It received glowing reviews then, and greatly deserves fresh exposure. It contains premiere recordings of works by Michael Kieran Harvey, Carl Vine, Stuart Campbell, John McCaughey, Andrew Byrne, Keith Humble, and James Anderson.
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.