Listen & tracks
1 of 6 tracks have a preview · 6 works · 63:31
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1 Quidong Michael Whiticker 10:21
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2 Redror Michael Whiticker 10:40
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3 In Prison Air Michael Whiticker 10:32
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4 Ad Parnassum Michael Whiticker 9:55
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5 Tulku Michael Whiticker 6:56
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6 On Slanting Ground Michael Whiticker 15:07
The pieces draw on multiphonics, free notation, microtonal guitar tuning and Korean classical forms, as well as jazz-inflected improvisation and rock guitar technique.
Quidong, Redror, In Prison Air, Ad Parnassum, Tulku and On Slanting Ground were written between 1982 and 1991. Several were commissioned with Australia Council support for players including Ken Burns, Henri Bok, Magnus Andersson, Elision and Roslyn Dunlop.
Whiticker’s restless technical command and breadth of reference mark the disc throughout.
In the artist’s words
The passion and vigour of the compositions on this disc, their variety and breadth of reference and their technical brilliance are entirely symptomatic of Michael Whiticker’s output as a whole. Seldom has the personality of a composer – the turn of mind, background, intellect and range of artistic sensibilities been so accurately mirrored in the music.
And what music! In the thirteen years that have elapsed since the first acknowledged compositions, around forty works have been produced, addressing an impressive range of instrumental forces and, significantly, of levels of technical ability. For Michael too, besides having an impressive and intimate knowledge of the world’s contemporary music, is a committed educator. There has been a restless exploration of idiom, product of influences as different as Korean classical music and the European avant-garde. When we first met in 1978, Michael had recently moved from a successful career as a rock musician towards four years of Conservatorium study; the vigour and drive of the one influence, and the technical polish of the other, are both marked features of the music. Indeed the technical command and professionalism are staggering. The trans-global exchanges he describes during the composing of Redror are typical. Whilst sharing his house in 1988 I was able personally to witness a similarly exhaustive preparation for the composition of On Slanting Ground.
But the music is not mere technique. It is in the nature of Michael’s vision to require on-the-edge realisations. These works are no glib trundlings-out of easily learnt technical mannerisms, the stock-in-trade of the new complexity. Redror, for instance, is a blazingly-urgent pulling together of disparate musical energies into a compelling whole; Ad Parnassum has exquisite beauty of line and sonority; and In Prison Air is chilling – one of the most terrifying musical landscapes of our time that I know.
Michael Whiticker is one of Australia’s urgent communicators. However the music may affect you, it will never bore you with cliché or empty pleasantry. Listen, take breath, then listen again; for in the music you find the man.
Reviews
a useful and impressive anthology ... already an important release
a blazingly-urgent pulling together of disparate musical energies into a compelling whole... 'In Prison Air' is chilling – one of the most terrifying musical landscapes of our time
Asian influences give the small-scale works recorded here a less traditional European feel, and their use makes the composer's personal language exhilarating ... Whiticker's exploration of improvisation in the title track and 'In Prison Air' as well as his fascination with multiphonics and pitch variation make his corner of the Australian music scene an interesting one to explore. The disc is well recorded and presented.
All six works collected on 'Redror' display the work of a fervent musical imagination, even if the end result does not always match Whiticker's restless ambition.
Artists
Michael Whiticker
composer
Michael Whiticker was born in Gundagai, Australia. He has received major commissions from leading Australian ensembles and organisations, and has won numerous awards in Australia and Germany for his compositions.
Libra Contemporary Ensemble
ensemble
Libra Contemporary Ensemble was formed in 1991 to provide performance possibilities for a wide range of rarely heard contemporary music.
Digital booklet
Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDFPerformers
- Libra Contemporary Ensemble · ensemble
- Carl Rosman · clarinet, conductor
- Suzanne Hornsby · flute, alto flute, piccolo · track 4
- Suzanne Simpson · violin · track 4
- Elizabeth O'Connor · viola · track 4
- Shannon Birchall · double bass · track 4
- Conrad Nilsson · percussion · tracks 1, 2 and 4
- Anthony King · mandolin · track 4
- Geoffrey Morris · guitar · tracks 1, 3–5
- Jacinta Dennett · harp · track 4
- Tim O'Dwyer · alto saxophone · track 2
- Adam Yee · oboe, cor anglais · track 1
Technical credits
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Producer
Carl Rosman
Geoff Morris
Michael Whiticker
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Recording Engineer
Craig Abercrombie
Jim Atkins
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Thanks to
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 63 minutes 31 seconds
- Release date
- 1996
- Categories
- Australian, Classical
- Musical work copyright
- © Move Records
- Sound recording copyright
- ℗ 1996 Move Records
- Catalogue
- MD 3183
- EAN
- 9314574318326
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