Dimensions of Night
Michael Kieran Harvey performs Larry Sitsky's epic piano work. Dimensions of Night draws on ancient legend, myth and spiritual history. The epic employs a series of chords to underpin the sequence of harmonies throughout the whole cycle.
Following the premiere performance late in 2008, music critic Peter Donnelly described the work: "Sitsky is here reflecting on the connectedness of the world's religious mythologies and their frequent exploitation to cause harm to the vulnerable. Beginning with sinuous and winding music depicting Zoroastrianism, the music becomes increasingly violent, edgy and intense. Relief in the form of gentler emotions eventually comes in the 8th section, leading to a purging of evil influences in the utter calm representing the 'tsaddig' shaman figure of the Hasidic Jews in the final section. Michael Kieran Harvey produced playing of amazing virtuosity throughout."
Sometimes demanding for both audience and performer, one is always aware of a powerful musical mind at work.
Press quote
“THE political economy of concert life today offers little encouragement or opportunity for composers to make extended musical statements.
"Bold programming by the Music Teachers' Association allowed one of Australia's finest pianists, Michael Kieran Harvey, to perform a mammoth cycle of piano pieces by Larry Sitsky, one of our most distinguished and multi-faceted composers. Dimensions of Night explores the spiritual associations of night through a kaleidoscopic series of 10 extremely demanding movements.
"Only a pianist of Harvey's calibre could tackle this work, which requires exceptional stamina and technique, and the ability to see beyond the forest of notes to its spiritual heart. It's tough going and certainly not easy-listening, New Age meditation music. Harvey likes to live dangerously and revelled in the challenge. There was little opportunity to relax in the 75-minute span which evoked imagery from Ancient Egypt to the Kabbalah. Why was Eros, Greek god of love, depicted with such violence while Tezcatlipoca, Aztec God associated with human sacrifice, evoked the most peaceful and dreamy movement, the only one of the set to suggest the Nocturne, quintessential classical form of night music?
"This was one of many puzzles in the music. Sitsky offers no answers, which is perhaps another part of his message. Instead he has constructed an epic work that leaves you thinking about the big questions.”
— Stephen Whittington, The (Adelaide) Advertiser
Artist
Michael Kieran Harvey
Australian pianist and composer, Dr Michael Kieran Harvey FAHA, is one of the foremost interpreters of contemporary piano music of his generation. A champion of Australian music, he regularly commissions new Australian music and has performed with Australia's leading contemporary music ensembles and orchestras.
Audio preview
Track Listing
- Chant of Gatha Ushtavaiti 5:11
- Ra Sails the Mesektet Barque 9:08
- Thoh 6:25
- Mara 6:38
- Sitra Achra 8:49
- Eros 9:19
- Chant Ceremony of the Yei Gods 6:45
- Lord of the Smoking Mirror 8:18
- The Chaos of Aesiod 7:01
- Devekut 12:04
Dimensions of Night Larry Sitsky
Performers
Composer
Larry Sitsky
Larry Sitsky's activities as a composer, pianist, writer, broadcaster and teacher place him inevitably to the fore among today's ambassadors of contemporary Australian piano music. Through his work to date he has made a significant contribution to the Australian music tradition.
Contributors
Cover illustration
Benjamin Thomas
Where to listen
Dimensions of Night is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Dimensions of Night 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 3325
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 79 minutes 38 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Editing Engineer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Mastering Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Venue
- Move Records Studio
- Credit
- Benjamin Thomas
- Release date
- 2009
- Musical work
copyright - © 2009 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2009 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Classical, Keyboard
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574332520
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