Reverberations
Originally released on two LPs and even quadraphonic tape in the early 1970s, this double CD set is a special limited edition re-issue of Reverberations One and Two, containing contemporary music for organ, brass ensemble, voices, didjeridu and electronics.
Festival Brass Ensemble ensemble
Ralph Nicholls didjeridu
Tim Robinson electronics
Ernie Althoff voice
Andrew Bernard voice
Ann Blare voice
Mars McMillan voice
Ron Nagorcka voice
Susan Nagorcka voice
Jane O'Brien voice
Tim Tyler voice
Andrew Uren voice
Keith Humble composer
Ron Nagorcka composer
James Penberthy composer
Felix Werder composer
The original idea for Reverberations came from a spectacular performance at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne during the Festival of Organ and Harpsichord in 1972. One of the pieces on the program was Cathedral I - composed for the festival by the late Ian Bonighton.
With the work, the composer had set out to "explore the sonorities available with a large building and so successful was he in achieving this aim, that a recording of the work was made by Move Records and released - along with work by Keith Humble, Ron Nagorcka and Felix Werder - under the title of Reverberations.
Its successor, Reverberations Two contains an equally important selection of original works and has been recorded once again in St. Patrick's Cathedral with no less spectacular effect.
Press quotes
“The best organ recording that has even been made in this country.”
— Leo Stevens, The Age
“...a tour-de-force of organ playing.”
— David Ahern, Sunday Telegraph
Artist

Douglas Lawrence
Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne and was the founding director of Choir of Ormond College, a position he held from 1982 to 2006.
Audio preview
Track Listing
- Cathedral Music I Ian Bonighton 13:05
- Toccata Felix Werder 10:35
- Theme and Variations Ron Nagorcka 11:00
- Paraphrase 'In Five' + Mass = Statico 2 Keith Humble 10:50
Disc 2
- Sanctus Ron Nagorcka 20:25
- Hymn for the death of Jesus James Penberthy 6:25
- Scherzo ('Devils up there') James Penberthy 4:15
- Holy Thursday Felix Werder 4:50
Performers
- Douglas Lawrence
- Festival Brass Ensemble · disc 1 track 1
- Ralph Nicholls · didjeridu · disc 2 track 1
- Tim Robinson · electronics · disc 2 track 1
- Ernie Althoff · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Andrew Bernard · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Ann Blare · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Mars McMillan · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Ron Nagorcka · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Susan Nagorcka · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Jane O'Brien · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Tim Tyler · voice · disc 2 track 1
- Andrew Uren · voice · disc 2 track 1
Composers

Ian Bonighton
Ian Bonighton (1942-1975) was rapidly gaining recognition not only as a brilliant composer, but also as an outstanding teacher at the time Move's Reverberations was made (now available on CD). More of his works can be heard on a remastered Sequenza CD.

Keith Humble
In 1977, Keith Humble won the National Critics Award as the most outstanding recitalist working in Australia and he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to music in 1982. He was a constant champion of Australian contemporary music and Percy Grainger.

Ron Nagorcka
Ron Nagorcka has a long-held interest in the sounds of the Australian bush (in particular its birds), the use of electronics in music and the system of tuning known as just intonation. His recordings of nature in Tasmania and in the arid zones of mainland Australia provide the basis for many of his compositions.

James Penberthy
James Penberthy was a prolific Australian composer and his major works number over 100. Although he wrote in many different genres, his intense interest in the theatre resulted in 22 ballets and 11 operas, and it is in this body of work, which displays his strong dramatic and lyrical gifts, that his importance in Australian music lies.

Felix Werder
German-born Felix Werder came to be regarded as being at the forefront of the Australian musical avant-garde and, despite being told his music was too avant-garde for the public, his music was widely performed. His early twelve-tone music has now given way to a more improvisatory, collage-like style that often makes virtuosic demands on its performers.
Where to listen
Reverberations is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Reverberations 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 3008
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 81 minutes 25 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Release date
- 2000
- Musical work
copyright - © 1979 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2000 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Organ
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574300826
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