Listen & tracks

4 of 44 tracks have a preview · 5 works · 69:53

In the WildMeredith Connie 14 movements20:47
1. 1 Lion 2:03
2. 2 Elephant 1:20
3. 3 Giraffe 1:22
4. 4 Zebra 1:30
5. 5 Rhinoceros :27
6. 6 Sloth 2:25
7. 7 Jaguar :48
8. 8 Panda 2:10
9. 9 Tiger 1:33
10. 10 Orangutan 1:24
11. 11 Kangaroo :34
12. 12 Buffalo 1:47
13. 13 Wolf 1:20
14. 14 Polar Bear 2:04
BardenklängeJohann Kaspar Mertz 4 movements10:56
1. 15 Fingals-Höhle 3:30
2. 16 Abendlied 3:07
3. 17 Unruhe 2:18
4. 18 Elfenreigen 2:01
Gothica: Book of Spooks and SpectresPhillip Houghton 6 movements10:51
1. 19 The old Spanish Castle is Full of Vampires, Sleeping 2:25
2. 20 The Gates that Hold King Kong 1:38
3. 21 Juju 1:21
4. 22 Spell 1:28
5. 23 Headhunter 1:44
6. 24 They of the Half Light 2:15
25 Czech Fairy Tales Štěpán Rak 14:40
Four MonstersJim Ferguson 4 movements12:39
1. 26 Frankenstein Meets the Jazzman 4:24
2. 27 The Raven Vanishes 3:50
3. 28 Mad Love 2:56
4. 29 The Fly 1:29

Fourteen short character pieces for guitar and narrator open the disc, each answering a creature from Elliott’s poetry with humour, whimsy or melancholy. Selections from J.K. Mertz’s Bardenklänge bring a nineteenth-century otherworldliness; Phillip Houghton’s Gothica miniatures stalk spooks and spectres; Štěpán Rak’s Czech Fairy Tales bind guitar and spoken narrative into one long tale; and Jim Ferguson’s Four Monsters tip a hat to classic Hollywood horror.

Connie plays throughout, narrates the story works, and supplies the text for Rak. The result is an intimate, programmatic recital that treats fantasy as shared ground for children and adults.

In the artist’s words

I played my little set of seven ‘In the Wild’ critters tonight… I get to look out at the audience a lot-which is good on nights like tonight when I am seeing a lot of reaction to the pieces. [Many] have told me they were really struck by them and thought the music was awesome.

— Joe Pecoraro

I love how original what you're doing is, and of course, obviously, the way each of your short compositions captures the animal and the spirit of the poem. I can see this working as a set in a concert. …I love these pieces. I was going to let you know which were my favorites, but the more I listen, the more I love all of them. Looking forward to seeing the others!

— David Elliott

I heard… In the Wild last year and just loved it. Fabulous piece and I'm looking forward to playing it myself now.

— Amy Bruksch

Reviews

A collection of delicate miniatures and stories, ‘made for the young and the old'. Connie’s performance across the album is fluid, showcasing a skilful technique which allows for elegant nuances and expression throughout her playing. Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals is overall a gentle listen; such is the nature of a solo guitar recording. This creates an intimacy which has many merits but may best be heard by children in smaller segments, in order to hold their attention.

— Tamara Kohler, Music Trust e-zine Loud Mouth

Artists

Meredith Connie

guitar

Meredith Connie concertises regularly as a soloist and with ensembles over a wide range of styles and periods. Known for her vitality as a performer and her charm as a presenter, she puts concert music in context and audiences at their ease.

Jim Ferguson

composer

Cited as a “Californian guitar supremo” by the Belfast Telegraph, Jim Ferguson has had a long and varied musical career.

Phillip Houghton

composer

Phillip Houghton’s guitar music has been performed and recorded by leading musicians, including John Williams and Timothy Kain. A self-taught composer, he drew on classical, jazz, rock, ambient and world music.

David Elliott

composer

Johann Kaspar Mertz

composer

Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806–1856) was an Austrian guitarist and composer whose romantic character pieces and concert fantasias remain central to the nineteenth-century guitar repertoire.

Štěpán Rak

composer

Digital booklet

Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDF

Buy now

$25.00 AUD

Compact disc

Buywell Music Australian Music Centre

Stream now

Apple Music Spotify

Also available to download from the iTunes Store.

Performers

Meredith Connie

Technical credits

Recording Engineer Meredith Connie
Editing Engineer Meredith Connie

Details

List price: $25.00 AUD
Total playing time: 69 minutes 53 seconds
Release date: 2 Oct 2017
Categories: Classical, Spoken word
Genres: Children's, Contemporary Classical, Spoken Word
Catalogue: MCD 567
EAN: 9314574056723

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