Listen & tracks
3 of 12 tracks have a preview · 7 works · 77:46
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1 The Ire of Irina Arjun von Caemmerer :53
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Piano Sonata #8 “P. Singer”Michael Kieran Harvey 3 movements25:34
- 2 Allegro giusto 18:33
- 3 Onirico 2:17
- 4 Ritmico 4:44
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5 Word War I: Not All Singers Sing from the Same Song-Book Arjun von Caemmerer 3:03
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Piano Sonata #9 “Sonata da Caemmerer”Michael Kieran Harvey 3 movements22:57
- 6 Zappaesque 11:24
- 7 Rubato 4:00
- 8 Giusto Tempo 7:33
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9 Word War II: The Saṃgīta of Arjuna Arjun von Caemmerer 1:42
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Sonata #10 “Riding with Death”Michael Kieran Harvey 2 movements22:03
- 10 i. Hallucinations 1-8 15:11
- 11 ii. Hammered, relentless 6:52
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12 Word War III: Caught in the Cross-Hairs Arjun von Caemmerer 1:34
These three “war” sonatas were composed during the escalation of the 2014 war on Ukraine by Russia beginning on 24 February 2022, the largest attack on a European country since World War II. Many composers have answered the insanity of war with large works; a formidable piano example is Wolpe’s Battlepiece of 1943–4. Towards the end of this triptych’s completion, war in the Middle East flared again.
Three entities helped Harvey negotiate the period and the anger, despair and sorrow he felt for the innocent victims: Peter Singer’s writings, his friend and long-time collaborator Dr Arjun von Caemmerer, and his return to the study of philosophy.
In the artist’s words
Autonomous AI is on the horizon, driven by war as much as medicine. In this sonata the intuitive hallucinations in movement I are metaphors for the human sense of reality, obliterated by AI in movement II. Unlike other human self-destruction technologies like nuclear weapons, autonomous AI is unlikely to tolerate an off switch in the hands of its creators. It seems it is a technology, to paraphrase Dennett, currently on the horizon and best kept that way.
Reviews
Thoroughly engrossing! Congratulations on a stunning work, great performance and the whole production.
Behind these three piano sonatas, Michael Kieran Harvey centres on some major crises of our age which are essentially colossal failures of action and inaction ... thanks to the brave agitation and fearlessness of his music, we can follow the best stoic directive and say not the struggle naught availeth.
a tense, dramatic, hypnotic and deeply confronting musical experience.
Artists
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.
Arjun von Caemmerer
spoken
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 PDFPerformers
- Michael Kieran Harvey · piano · tracks 2–4, 6–8, 10 and 11
- Arjun von Caemmerer · spoken · tracks 1, 5, 9 and 12
Technical credits
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Recording Engineer
Steven Grainger
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Editing Engineer
Vaughan McAlley
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Mastering Engineer
Martin Wright
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Venue
Move Records Studio
Details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 77 minutes 46 seconds
- Release date
- 2 Apr 2025
- Categories
- Australian, Classical, Keyboard
- Musical work copyright
- © 2025 Move Records
- Sound recording copyright
- ℗ 2025 Move Records
- Catalogue
- MD 3477
- EAN
- 8721215059493
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Catalogue des Errances Bibliques
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