Listen & tracks
1 of 10 tracks have a preview · 1 work · 79:52
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Dimensions of NightLarry Sitsky 10 movements79:52
- 1 Chant of Gatha Ushtavaiti 5:12
- 2 Ra Sails the Mesektet Barque 9:10
- 3 Thoh 6:26
- 4 Mara 6:40
- 5 Sitra Achra 8:50
- 6 Eros 9:21
- 7 Chant Ceremony of the Yei Gods 6:47
- 8 Lord of the Smoking Mirror 8:19
- 9 The Chaos of Aesiod 7:03
- 10 Devekut 12:04
Larry Sitsky's ten-movement cycle for solo piano, written for Michael Kieran Harvey and premiered late in 2008, ranges across mythologies from Zoroastrianism and Ancient Egypt to the Kabbalah and Hasidic tradition.
A matrix of twenty-one chords underpins the whole work. Sometimes demanding for both audience and performer, one is always aware of a powerful musical mind at work.
Reviews
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.
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.
Artists
Larry Sitsky
composer
Larry Sitsky's activities as a composer, pianist, writer, broadcaster and teacher place him among the foremost ambassadors of contemporary Australian piano music. His work has made a lasting contribution to the Australian musical tradition.
Michael Kieran Harvey
piano
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.
Digital booklet
Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDFPerformers
- Michael Kieran Harvey · piano
Technical credits
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Recording Engineer
Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley
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Editing Engineer
Vaughan McAlley
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Mastering Engineer
Martin Wright
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Venue
Move Records Studio
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Credit
Benjamin Thomas
Details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 79 minutes 52 seconds
- Release date
- 2009
- Categories
- Australian, Classical, Keyboard
- Musical work copyright
- © 2009 Move Records
- Sound recording copyright
- ℗ 2009 Move Records
- Catalogue
- MD 3325
- EAN
- 9314574332520
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