Rush, The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox and Other Goodies

An enjoyable collection built around two of George Dreyfus’s best-known scores, the charting TV theme Rush and the suite from the ABC children’s series The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox.

George Dreyfus bassoon
Jochen Schubert guitar
Diane Ridell flute
Geoffrey Dodd oboe
Marla Swift clarinet
Bruce Knappett voice

George Dreyfus composer
Margaret Sutherland composer
Adolph Weiss composer
Walter Piston composer
Tim Burstall songwriter

Rush is one of Australia’s most popular television theme tunes and was a Top 40 hit. The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox, written for the ABC children’s series, sets a whimsical text about a cunning little fox and his scrapes in the human world.

Further Dreyfus chamber writing appears in the Trio for flute, clarinet and bassoon and in Old Melbourne for bassoon and guitar. Margaret Sutherland’s Little Suite for Wind Trio, Adolph Weiss’s Petite Suite and Walter Piston’s Three Pieces complete a varied programme of woodwind and guitar music.

Artists

George Dreyfus

One of Australia's best-known composers, especially for the theme from the television series Rush, George Dreyfus was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at Victorian Parliament House for services to music.

Margaret Sutherland

Margaret Sutherland (1897–1984) was an Australian composer whose work ranged across almost every form, with a particular gift for chamber music. She remains one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century Australian composition.

Adolph Weiss

Walter Piston

Audio preview

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Tracks

Rush [for bassoon and guitar] George Dreyfus 3:04
The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox George Dreyfus Tim Burstall 11:10

Trio for flute, clarinet and bassoon George Dreyfus

i. Allegro Marziale 6:21
ii. Andante 4:53
iii. Grave – Allegro Giocoso 4:40

Little Suite for Wind Trio Margaret Sutherland

i. Vivace 2:20
ii. Tempo di Menuetto 1:50
iii. Allegro 1:00
iv. Molto Vivace :27
v. Allegro 1:36

Old Melbourne George Dreyfus

232 The Esplanade East, Port Melbourne 2:46
36 Storey Street, Parkville 2:39
1 Nelson Place, Williamstown 2:24
29 Sackville Street, Kew 2:51
Rolland House, Rathdowne Street, Carlton 4:02
70 Albert Street, East Melbourne 2:53

Petite Suite for flute, clarinet and bassoon Adolph Weiss

Ricercare 3:10
Fantasia 1:33
Sarabande 2:26
Gigue 2:28

Three Pieces for flute, clarinet and bassoon Walter Piston

i. Allegro scherzando 2:32
ii. Lento 2:51
iii. Allegro 3:48

Performers

George Dreyfus · all except tracks 6–10
Jochen Schubert · guitar · tracks 1, 11–16
Diane Ridell · tracks 2–10, 17–23
Geoffrey Dodd · tracks 2, 6–10
Marla Swift · tracks 2–10, 17–23
Bruce Knappett · voice · track 2

Composer

Tim Burstall

Tim Burstall (1927–2004) was an English-born Australian film director, writer and producer. He also wrote the words for the ABC children’s puppet series The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox.

Where to listen

Rush, The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox and Other Goodies is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Rush, The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox and Other Goodies is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.