Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968

There is an Island

A tuneful, dramatic cantata by Don Kay on Tasmania’s early colonial history and the fate of the full-blood Tasmanian Aboriginal people, with Clive Sansom’s lyrics. Paired with George Dreyfus’s The Song of the Maypole.

Australian Rosny Children's Choir choir
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra orchestra
George Tintner conductor
George Dreyfus conductor
Jennifer Filby choir master
Don Kay composer
George Dreyfus composer
Clive Sansom songwriter
Frank Kellaway songwriter

Don Kay’s cantata for children’s choir and orchestra, commissioned by the Australian Rosny Children’s Choir and completed in 1977, traces settlement, convict life and the Black War across nine movements.

George Dreyfus’s companion work is set in the gold-rush years. Four children’s choruses are paired with the orchestral families so young singers meet woodwind, strings, brass and percussion through a linked story and a final maypole dance.

Artists

Photograph of Don Kay

Don Kay

Don Kay (born 1933) is a Tasmanian classical composer whose work ranges from symphony, opera and concerto to chamber, choral, vocal and piano music, often shaped by the island’s landscape, ecology and history.

Photograph of Australian Rosny Children's Choir

Australian Rosny Children's Choir

The Australian Rosny Children's Choir started in 1967 by music teacher Jennifer Filby, has toured extensively within Australia, performing in all the major concert venues, and appearing with the Sydney, Melbourne, South Australian and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.

Photograph of George Dreyfus

George Dreyfus

One of Australia's best-known composers, especially for the theme from the television series Rush, George Dreyfus was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at Victorian Parliament House for services to music.

Photograph of Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra has an enviable reputation as one of the world's great small orchestras. With a full-time strength of 47 players, which can be augmented when the programme demands, it is known for classical polish and a lively commitment to new work.

Audio preview

Tracks

    There is an Island Don Kay Clive Sansom

  1. The Island 3:49
  2. Song of the Aborigines 5:44
  3. The coming of the great swans 4:01
  4. West Country seaman 2:08
  5. Free settlers 5:38
  6. Convicts 2:11
  7. Hobart Town / The black war 3:58
  8. Lament of the Aborigines 4:32
  9. The land we share 4:19

    10. The Song of the Maypole George Dreyfus Frank Kellaway

  10. Overture 2:48
  11. We're off to dig golden dust 1:10
  12. Children and mothers song 3:09
  13. From the mulga thicket 2:02
  14. Maypole dance 4:57

Performers

Composers

No photograph: Frank Kellaway

Frank Kellaway

No photograph: Clive Sansom

Clive Sansom

Where to listen

There is an Island is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

There is an Island 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 3116
List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
50 minutes 26 seconds
Producer
Robert Smith
Recording Engineer
Max Absolom
Mastering Engineer
Martin Wright
Venue
ABC Odeon Hobart
Release date
Musical work
copyright
© 1993 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sound recording
copyright
℗ 1993 Move Records
Categories
Australian, Choral, Classical
Genres
Choral & Sacred, Contemporary Classical, Children's
Barcode
EAN 9314574311624

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