A Handful of Rain
Inspired by Javanese gamelan and Japanese Shinto music, Mark Clement Pollard's ambient concert works pursue beauty and simplicity. A Handful of Rain gathers this acclaimed Australian composer's popular style from the mid-1990s.
Z.O.O. Duo guitars
Anne Gilby oboe
Michael Kieran Harvey piano
Robert Schubert clarinet
Graeme Shilton alto saxophone
Ashley Bird singer
Marcie Civins singer
Danny Suran singer
Ben Dickson singer
Joan Skilbeck singer
Alison Beckett singer
Andrew Carcasi singer
Nikol Mckail singer
Taran Carter singer
Jacob Cartwright singer
Evan Meagher singer
Peter Head singer
John Zutic singer
Zoë Black violin
Isin Cakmakcioglu violin
John Lynch viola
Rachel Atkinson cello
Julie Raines harp
Peter Neville vibraphone
Peter Constant acoustic guitar
Marion Schaap acoustic guitar
Includes be it ever so Humble, with oboist Anne Gilby; dusting off roses, featuring the Z.O.O. Duo; and the title work, played by pianist Michael Kieran Harvey. Pollard's music is dreamy and ambient, spiced with an overwhelming sense of beauty – take time to have a dream or two.
The pieces date from 1995–98. They draw on the interlocking patterns of Javanese gamelan and the line and sonority of Japanese Shinto music, and invite the listener to discover a sense of place.
Reviews
[Pollard's] eclectic style embraces diverse influences such as collaboration, improvisation, jazz, pop, minimalism and the indigenous music of South-East Asia.
Each work expresses an individuality, often painting a haunting and atmospheric picture.
Artists
Mark Pollard
Australian composer Mark Clement Pollard has an eclectic style that draws on improvisation, jazz, pop, minimalism and the indigenous musics of South-East Asia.
Anne Gilby
One of Australia's outstanding oboists and teachers, Anne studied with Jiri Tancibudek, Leon Goossens, Helmut Winschermann and Maurice Bourgue.
Gongworks Gamelan
Gongworks was set up in 1997 by Mark Pollard to create new work through the fusing of cross cultural and cross media materials. Sound, theatre and ritual are essential elements in a Gongworks performance.
Graeme Shilton
Graeme Shilton was one of Australia's leading classical saxophonists and a champion of new music.
Robert Schubert
Robert Schubert is a Melbourne clarinettist and woodwind lecturer whose playing centres on chamber music and new works written for him.
Z.O.O. Duo
Z.O.O. Duo, an original, classical guitar duo, features talented guitarists Peter Constant and Marion Schaap, directors of guitar at the Victorian College of the Arts.
Michael Kieran Harvey
Australian pianist and composer Dr Michael Kieran Harvey FAHA is among the foremost interpreters of contemporary piano music of his generation. A champion of Australian music, he regularly commissions new work and has performed with the country’s leading contemporary ensembles and orchestras.
Audio preview
Tracks
- be it ever so Humble Mark Pollard 6:49
- part one 3:00
- part two 3:21
- part three 4:42
- bathing in stillness Mark Pollard 4:26
- part one 4:12
- part two 2:51
- part three 3:28
- part one 3:23
- part two 1:40
- part three 3:10
- part four 2:01
- part five 2:59
- the sweet light of day Mark Pollard 7:00
a handful of rain Mark Pollard
between home and heaven Mark Pollard
dusting off roses Mark Pollard
Performers
- Michael Kieran Harvey · tracks 2–4
- Z.O.O. Duo · guitars · tracks 9–13
- Robert Schubert · track 14
- Graeme Shilton · tracks 6–8
- Gongworks Gamelan · gamelan · track 5
- Anne Gilby · track 1
- Ashley Bird · singer · track 5
- Marcie Civins · singer · track 5
- Danny Suran · singer · track 5
- Ben Dickson · singer · track 5
- Joan Skilbeck · singer · track 5
- Alison Beckett · singer · track 5
- Andrew Carcasi · singer · track 5
- Nikol Mckail · singer · track 5
- Taran Carter · singer · track 5
- Jacob Cartwright · singer · track 5
- Evan Meagher · singer · track 5
- Peter Head · singer · track 5
- John Zutic · singer · track 5
- Zoë Black · track 14
- Isin Cakmakcioglu · track 14
- John Lynch · track 14
- Rachel Atkinson · track 14
- Julie Raines · tracks 6–8
- Peter Neville · vibraphone · tracks 6–8
- Peter Constant · tracks 9–13
- Marion Schaap · tracks 9–13
Where to listen
A Handful of Rain is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
A Handful of Rain 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 3218
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 53 minutes 2 seconds
- Producer
- Mark Pollard
Martin Wright - Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Move Records Studio
- Thanks to
- Arts Victoria
- Release date
- 1999
- Musical work
copyright - © 1999 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1999 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Classical
- Genres
- Contemporary Classical, World & Cross-cultural
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574321821
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