Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968
Front cover art for Catalogue des Errances Bibliques

Catalogue des Errances Bibliques

Michael Kieran Harvey’s epic Catalogue des Errances Bibliques deploys eight keyboardists and four percussionists with spoken narration by Arjun von Caemmerer: twenty-five musical pieces alternating with twenty-five short narratives.

Michael Kieran Harveypiano, keyboards Timothy Youngpiano, keyboards Peter Nevillepercussion Arjun von Caemmerervoice, narrator
  • CatalogueMD 3457
  • Released25 Jun 2021
  • Playing time69 minutes 35 seconds

Listen & tracks

50 works · 69:35

  1. 1 d'Composition Arjun von Caemmerer 1:42
  2. 2 The Bible’s chaotic composition Michael Kieran Harvey 1:19
  3. 3 Cheesus Arjun von Caemmerer 1:46
  4. 4 Jesus Christ? Michael Kieran Harvey 1:05
  5. 5 Which one is it? Arjun von Caemmerer 1:24
  6. 6 God’s word? Michael Kieran Harvey 1:11
  7. 7 "My Father's house has many rooms" Arjun von Caemmerer 1:03
  8. 8 Contradictions Michael Kieran Harvey 1:18
  9. 9 Walking on water Arjun von Caemmerer 2:19
  10. 10 Historicity of Jesus Michael Kieran Harvey 1:13
  11. 11 "I am the true vine" Arjun von Caemmerer 2:03
  12. 12 Jesus’ birth? Michael Kieran Harvey 1:14
  13. 13 Fish mongery Arjun von Caemmerer 2:09
  14. 14 Deceptiveness of Jesus Michael Kieran Harvey 1:09
  15. 15 The Epistle of Lazarus to Jesus Arjun von Caemmerer 1:25
  16. 16 Second coming of Jesus? Michael Kieran Harvey 1:08
  17. 17 The Book of numb errs Arjun von Caemmerer 1:34
  18. 18 Bible characters Michael Kieran Harvey 1:04
  19. 19 Sup, Lick, Ate Arjun von Caemmerer 1:19
  20. 20 Injustice Michael Kieran Harvey 1:25
  21. 21 The McKinsey Report Arjun von Caemmerer 2:30
  22. 22 Science or creationism Michael Kieran Harvey 1:09
  23. 23 The Miracle of St Raphael Arjun von Caemmerer 1:36
  24. 24 Belief in miracles Michael Kieran Harvey 1:06
  25. 25 John's Judgemental Jeremiad Arjun von Caemmerer 1:06
  26. 26 Anti-Semitism Michael Kieran Harvey 1:04
  27. 27 Here is Eden Arjun von Caemmerer 1:52
  28. 28 Intolerance and anti-intellectualism Michael Kieran Harvey 1:04
  29. 29 Prophet and loss Arjun von Caemmerer :52
  30. 30 Fake prophecies Michael Kieran Harvey 1:07
  31. 31 GodSwill Arjun von Caemmerer 1:29
  32. 32 Predestination vs. free will Michael Kieran Harvey 1:12
  33. 33 Easy kill Arjun von Caemmerer 1:52
  34. 34 Forty Bible errors Michael Kieran Harvey 1:15
  35. 35 Adam's rib Arjun von Caemmerer 2:00
  36. 36 Bible creation conflicts Michael Kieran Harvey 1:02
  37. 37 C-Change Arjun von Caemmerer 2:07
  38. 38 Saturday or Sunday? Michael Kieran Harvey 1:03
  39. 39 Conversion disorder - From Saul to Paul Arjun von Caemmerer :59
  40. 40 Mixed-up Paul Michael Kieran Harvey 1:08
  41. 41 The Tweet of Paul John Manna.Forte Arjun von Caemmerer :38
  42. 42 Fake Bible news Michael Kieran Harvey 1:02
  43. 43 Triad Arjun von Caemmerer 1:01
  44. 44 Peter, Paul and Jesus conflicted Michael Kieran Harvey 1:06
  45. 45 Whose ringing kisses kiss the ring Arjun von Caemmerer 1:34
  46. 46 Control by the elite Michael Kieran Harvey 2:43
  47. 47 The little-read book Arjun von Caemmerer 1:27
  48. 48 Other holy books Michael Kieran Harvey 1:07
  49. 49 Glossolalia Arjun von Caemmerer :55
  50. 50 Life after Biblical errancy Michael Kieran Harvey 1:39

Using bird song gathered across France, Olivier Messiaen built his vast Catalogue d’oiseaux (“Catalogue of birds”) in seven books. Harvey, who has recorded that complete work (Catalogue d’oiseaux), answers with Catalogue des Errances Bibliques (“Catalogue of Biblical Errancy”): twenty-five pieces drawn from C. Dennis McKinsey’s 850-page Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy.

Poet Arjun von Caemmerer’s readings sit between the musical chapters. The scoring is deliberately oversized—eight keyboards and four percussionists—and the tone follows the irreverent spirit of the musical The Book of Mormon (Parker/Lopez/Stone, 2011).

Reviews

The inventory of instruments included two grand pianos, four electric keyboards, synthesizers, vibraphone, marimba, a theremin and a range of non-melodic percussion. Narration between each piece consisted of clever, witty and insightful poems written by collaborator Arjun von Caemmerer for each ‘chapter’ accompanying the music. The text is, in keeping with McKinsey, not sceptical of spirituality per se, but rather dogma and the words of sacred texts that can underlie intractable belief systems. Von Caemmerer unpacks these whimsically. One must understand the incredible brainpower of Harvey and von Caemmerer, which when combined, is truly a force to be reckoned with. Indeed after what could only be described as an electrically charged performance, I spoke with a fellow composer in the audience with a ‘How on earth?’ inquiry to which she replied, ‘Mandy, we are mere mortals’. If one is only aware of Michael Kieran Harvey as a performer, then to say his virtuosity translates into intricately composed and technically demanding compositions, provides but a glimpse of his composing prowess. The level of synchrony required of all performers on stage was breathtakingly audacious and utterly masterful. The thought the composer injects into every piece and the articulation of those thoughts musically is really quite astounding. But together, Harvey and von Caemmerer’s vision is uplifting and fun in its irreverence.

— Mandy Stefanakis, Music Trust Loud Mouth e-zine

The spoken narrative is satirical: very irreverent, and at times very funny! For example, I particularly liked Bible Story No.5 ‘Walking on Water’ which uses simple maths, and very plausible deductive reasoning (assisted by reference to the website of Bunnings Warehouse) to calculate how big Jesus’ feet must have been in order for him to have successfully walked on water (the answer is: approx. 20cm wide and 80cm long!). The musical interludes alternate with the spoken parts, to some extent commenting on them, so on the CD they are the even-numbered tracks. At first hearing some tracks (e.g., No. 2, No. 24), sound like free jazz – an effect accentuated by the electric keyboards, the drum kit, and the fast tempi. No.20, with its strings of parallel minor seventh chords and unusual time signature (15/8) could almost be a cover of Dave Brubeck. But this music is not improvised. In fact, everything is meticulously notated (the score is available from the Australian Music Centre – also in a version for two pianos). And within the 25 pieces there is a large variety of styles, from the powerful opening using the whole ensemble (recapitulated in the final piece) to the toccata-like No.12 and 16 (with its prominent synth-effects), along with more meditative pieces like the sparse arpeggios and bowed vibraphone notes of No.30, the angular quartal/quintal harmony of No.38, and the thrilling multimetric rhythms of No.48.

— Clive Lane, classikon

Michael Kieran Harvey and Arjun von Caemmerer’s shared conversations must be a blast, this album, a superb example of their continued artistic collaboration. The unity between players, given the incredible complexity of the music, was astounding, and the sound combinations, including tubular bells, mallet percussion and theremin, drumkit, keyboards and double dose grand pianos, was intoxicating.

— Mandy Stefanakis, Music Trust e-zine Loud Mouth

Artists

Photograph of Michael Kieran Harvey

Michael Kieran Harvey

piano, keyboards

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.

 Photograph of Timothy Young

Timothy Young

piano, keyboards

Timothy Young is one of Australia’s most prominent and versatile pianists. A long-standing member of Ensemble Liaison, he performs widely as a chamber musician, recitalist and concerto soloist.

 Photograph of Peter Neville

Peter Neville

percussion

Peter Neville is one of Australia's most accomplished percussion players. He has a particular interest in twentieth-century music and has worked extensively with ensembles including Elision, the David Chesworth Ensemble, the Southbank Ensemble, Jouissance, the Chronochromie Duo and Nadoya.

 Photograph of Arjun von Caemmerer

Arjun von Caemmerer

voice, narrator

Dr Arjun von Caemmerer is a Hobart-based general medical practitioner, Iyengar Yoga teacher and practitioner, and writer. In 1995, with Naomi Cameron, he established The Hobart School of Iyengar Yoga.

Digital booklet

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

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Compact disc

Buywell Music Australian Music Centre

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Also available to download from the iTunes Store.

Performers

  • Michael Kieran Harvey · piano, keyboards · tracks 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Timothy Young · piano, keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Peter Neville · percussion · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Arjun von Caemmerer · voice, narrator · tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49
  • Sine Winther · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Amanda Pang · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Hannah Pike · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Maggie Pang · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Jennifer Yu · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Liam Wooding · keyboards · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • James Knight · percussion · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Alexander Meagher · percussion · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50
  • Alison Fane · timpani · tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50

Technical credits

  • Recording Engineer Lawrence Harvey
  • Editing Engineer Martin Wright
    Vaughan McAlley
  • Mixing Engineer Martin Wright
    Vaughan McAlley
  • Venue Australian National Academy of Music
  • Credit Arabella Teniswood-Harvey

Details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
69 minutes 35 seconds
Release date
Categories
Australian, Spoken word
Genres
Contemporary Classical, Spoken Word
Musical work copyright
© 2021 Michael Kieran Harvey
Sound recording copyright
℗ 2021 Move Records
Catalogue
MD 3457
EAN
9314574345728

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