Sun Fun and other Disappointments: The music of Michael Easton
This compilation CD brings together the wide range of British/Australian composer Michael Easton’s compositional output (1981-1993) - ranging from solo piano and duo pianos to a flute sonata, a piccolo concerto, song cycles, and four songs from Easton’s one-woman show ‘Dorothy Parker Says’.
Michael Easton was not only a composer and pianist, but also a music critic, pre-concert speaker, lecturer, and founder, with Len Vorster, of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
This CD title was inspired by poems of British poet laureate John Betjeman. The song-cycle based on these poems are beautifully interpreted by Kathleen Southall-Casey.
This year 2024 commemorates Michael Easton’s 70th year, and also 20 years since his death in 2004. The re-release of this CD also pays tribute to soprano Kathleen Southall-Casey (1961-2024).
The performers are pianists Len Vorster, Michael Easton and Rebecca Chambers - Kathleen Southall-Casey (soprano), Ian Cousins (baritone), Australian actress Deidre Rubenstein (vocals), Frederick Shade (piccolo), Richard Thurlby (flute), and Brett Kelly conducting the Academy of Melbourne.
Artists
Michael Easton
Michael Easton's music reflects his own ebullience, energy and good humor. It is entirely accessible - reliant upon ear-catching melodies, piquant harmonies, and brilliant orchestration.
Len Vorster
Len Vorster is one of Australia's finest accompanists and is artistic director of Classical Palette (a series of Naxos recordings devoted to contemporary music), of the Schirmer Ensemble, and of Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
Track Listing
- In Reflective Mood
- High Spirits
- Alone and Lonely
- Practical Jokes
- Colloque Sentimentale
- Dans le Bois
- Whiskey Sour Waltz
- Martini Melody
- Schneider Cup Charleston
- Song of s Night-Club Proprietress
- Harvest Hymn
- In a Bath Tea-Shop
- How to Get On in Society
- Allegro Maliziso
- Nocturne: Andante Cantabile
- Finale: Presto
- There was an Old Man who said Hush
- Old man of the Hague
- Old Man of Whitehaven
- Mrs Jaypher
- How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear
- Conversations for Piano Michael Easton
- Allegro
- Andante con moto
- Rondo
- General Review
- Song of Perfect Propriety
- Fulfillment
- But not Forgotten
Moods for Piano Michael Easton
Deux Chansons pour L'Arrière-Saison Michael Easton
Cocktail Suite Michael Easton
Sun Fun and other Disappointments Michael Easton
Flute Sonata Michael Easton
How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear Michael Easton
Piccolo Concerto Michael Easton
Dorothy Parker Says Michael Easton
Performers
- Michael Easton · piano · tracks 7—9 and 26—29
- Len Vorster · piano · all except tracks 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29
- Kathleen Southall-Casey · soprano · tracks 5, 6 and 10—13
- Richard Thurlby · flute · tracks 14—16
- Ian Cousins · baritone · tracks 17—21
- Rebecca Chambers · piano · track 22
- Frederick Shade · piccolo · tracks 23—25
- Brett Kelly · conductor · tracks 23—25
- Academy of Melbourne · ensemble · tracks 23—25
- Deidre Rubenstein · vocal · tracks 26—29
Where to buy
Sun Fun and other Disappointments: The music of Michael Easton is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.
Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.
Product details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Release date
- March 2024
- Copyright
- © 2004 Len Vorster
- Phonogram
- ℗ 2024 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Catalogue number
- MCD 657
- Barcode
- EAN 9314570465727