Brolga Dances

This new disc from the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra showcases contemporary Australian Music for Mandolin and Guitar.

Peter Sculthorpe composer
Richard Charlton composer
Michelle Nelson composer
Robert Schulz composer
Betty Beath composer
Caroline Szeto composer
Michelle Nelson arranger

Composers include Peter Sculthorpe, Michelle Nelson, Robert Schultz, Caroline Szeto and Betty Beath.

Composers' comments:

"Thanks so much for sending me a copy of Brolga Dances. I'm really thrilled about my Little Suite for Strings. Michelle has done a truly beautiful arrangement of it - do tell her from me. I especially like the way that the strumming keeps the music moving. It doesn't even sound like an arrangement.

It's a terrific CD, with the music wonderfully conducted by Slava. The performances are just so rhythmic. Also, I like the variety in kinds of pieces and forces used. Certainly I hope it does really well. I congratulate the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra and everybody who was a part of it."

Peter Sculthorpe

"Well done to the orchestra on their interpretation of my piece; please tell them I was very pleasantly surprised. Please also congratulate Michelle on her fine work and arrangements, you are certainly lucky to have her in your ranks."

Richard Charlton

"Brolga Dances has arrived safely and has brought much pleasure. It was so good to hear such an expressive performance of Mikri Thalassa. There was a lovely sense of the rise and fall within the phrase. Conductor Slava Iourgaev understands the work and has drawn from the orchestra a response, though disciplined, has

the freedom to 'feel' out mood and emotion...so essential to the music."

Betty Beath

Artist

Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra

The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra was formed in 1967 by Peter Evans and Josef Ruecker. Their aim was ‘to develop and maintain a mandolin orchestra in Melbourne’. As well as performing regularly, the group organises summer schools, trips from overseas groups, trains new players, holds musical workshops & master classes, and commissions music.

Audio previews

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Track Listing

Pacifica Michelle Nelson 7:06
Dances for the Mandolin and the Moon Richard Charlton 4:57

Little Suite for Strings Peter Sculthorpe

Sea Chant 2:15
Little Serenade 1:59
Left Bank Waltz 3:06
Outback Robert Schulz 10:58

Brolga Dances Michelle Nelson

Introduction - Largo 2:32
Brolga's Dance 3:11
Agitato 1:19
Brolga Dances 4:23

Capricorn Light Michelle Nelson

Capricorn Light 3:09
Dances on Water 2:59
Mikri Thalassa Betty Beath 6:15
Stringing Caroline Szeto 7:15

Performers

Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra

Composers

Michelle Nelson

Michelle Nelson is a composer, guitarist and creative educator committed to developing instrumental works that are contemporary but also draw inspiration from traditional composition practice.

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).

Betty Beath

Richard Charlton

Robert Schulz

Caroline Szeto

Where to listen

Brolga Dances 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: MCD 410
List price: $25.00 AUD
Total playing time: 61 minutes 24 seconds
Release date: 2009
Categories: Australian, Classical
Barcode: EAN 9314574041026

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