Listen & tracks

1 of 25 tracks have a preview · 15 works · 61:53

1 A Little Fantasy and Fugue for Carillon Hamilton Harty 4:49
2 Australian Medley I Traditional Waltzing Matilda, Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox, Botany Bay, Waltzing Matilda (Queensland), The Road to Gundagai 7:24
3 Lake Music for Carillon Terry Vaughan 3:35
Five Little Piano PiecesRoss Edwards 2 movements4:54
1. 4 Allegretto 2:44
2. 5 Andante con moto 2:10
6 Early One Morning Traditional 1:56
7 Devil Among the Tailors Traditional 1:16
8 Fantasy on the Bells of St Clements Traditional 2:29
9 The Shearer's Dream Traditional 3:42
10 Suite on Moreton Bay John Barrett Theme, Minuet, Courante, Sarabande, Bourree, Gigue 4:29
11 Scottish Medley Traditional My Love She's But a Lassie Yet, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, The Piper of Dundee, Horo, My Nut Brown Maiden / Health and Joy be with You, Bonnie Dundee 6:02
12 Winter Afternoon for Carillon John Gordon 3:15
13 Summer Song for Carillon Terry Vaughan 3:38
14 Irish Medley Traditional St Patrick's Day, Cockles and Mussels, Killarney, The Minstrel Boy, The Last Rose of Summer 6:26
15 The Old Palmer Song Traditional 3:13
16 Australian Medley II Traditional Click Go the Shears, I Still Call Australia Home, Advance Australia Fair 4:45

A carillon is a set of twenty-three or more stationary bells arranged chromatically and played mechanically, with no electrical or other assistance.

Essentially Australian features the stunning sound of Australia’s National Carillon, one of the world’s largest and most beautiful. On Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin, its award-winning design and height of fifty metres allow music to drift over a 300-metre radius.

The programme brings together original carillon works, arrangements of traditional and popular songs, and transcriptions from the piano repertoire, all with an Australian connection. Joan Chia plays the National Carillon, Canberra.

Reviews

stunning sound … unique and very Australian.

— Capricorn Coast Mirror

the ambience of the Canberra instrument has been effectively captured, and with an entertaining program and accomplished playing this disc provides a musical souvenir which will be welcomed by locals and visitors alike.

— Bill Hoffmann, Canberra Times

Artists

Joan Chia

carillon

Joan Chia is the carillonist at the National Carillon in Canberra.

Ross Edwards

composer

One of Australia's best known and most performed composers, Ross Edwards lives and works in Sydney. His commitment to music as a positive and regenerative force has led him to explore beyond the confines of Western art music.

John Barrett

composer

John Barrett brings a warm, improvising saxophone voice to Melbourne sessions and the World Rhythm Band, writing pieces that swing from tropical funk to carillon colour with the same easy fluency across reeds, didjeridu and keys.