A collaboration between 2 Sydney flute players, Christine Draeger and Lamorna Nightingale, working together with pianist Jocelyn Edey-Fazzone has resulted in a new CD "Eat Chocolate and Cry".
This new recording is a much-welcome addition to the ongoing recording of Australian flute music. The Australian Music Centre, and publisher "Reed Music" must also be congratulated on their significant role in this project.
Traditionally, Australian composers have always been strong supporters of new compositions for flute, and, as a result, flute players have continued to benefit from the wealth and diversity of quality repertoire written by our own composers.
In order to encourage the ongoing creation of new Australian works for flute, it is of paramount importance that flute players support the development of new work through performance and dissemination both nationally and internationally.
While we have benefited from compositions by Australian composers, we have also fallen short in the recording of these works in many instances. This new CD is a positive step in increasing the awareness, and hence performance, of these works.
Almost without exception, each of these pieces is suitable for young Australian flute players looking for Australian repertoire written in the last 25 years. The repertoire is appealing and very user-friendly.
The performed tracks are shared between the 2 flute players, with Draeger performing all the tracks which involve piccolo and alto flute. Of particular note is Draeger's contribution as composer as well as performer on this CD. "Promenade" from "Conference of the Birds" is an evocative movement from a much larger Suite of pieces, and it is worth searching to find this beautiful piece in its entirety.
The choosing of repertoire for this CD would no doubt have been an interesting process, and it is pleasing to see that younger, less prolific composers sit comfortably along side those with many years of experience behind them. Nightingale shines in Ross Edward's "Earth Song" , and her sounds carries a strong sense of energy and finesse at all times. Of equal beauty and youthful joy is Orlovich's "Flight of Fancy" given a vibrant whirl by Nightingale and pianist, Fazzone.
The quality of the recording is concise, although the levels or microphone location do seem to vary somewhat between a couple of the tracks. This said, each of the performances are played with a strong rhythmic and musical conviction from flute players and pianist alike.
Virginia Taylor
- Head of The Woodwind Area at The School of Music, Australian National University.
Fazzone's experience as a flute player and pianist allows her exceptional skills in duo partnerships to shine, and she is well-known for her successful collaborations with Australian flute players.
As a result of this recording, I think we stand to hear these works become part of the standard Australian flute repertoire, and that they will find their performances at HSC, tertiary level and the concert platform, both nationally and internationally.