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About

“The Variations, based on the beautiful melody by the great gamba virtuoso (and improvisor) Marais, from his fourth book of pieces for viols, published in 1717, presents a series of highly personalised portraits of some composer/musicians who have influenced me in particular ways. I was attracted to bringing the work of a virtuoso from long ago into a dialogue with material drawn from sources far from his world, in a kind of conversation across time and space.

“Tall Tales, a three movement work, looks at three different types of musical language. The first section, 'Ngukurr, Mon Amour', is inspired by the manukau song forms of the Yolngu people, of Northern Australia, songs of identity, spirit and place which occur in extreme bursts of energy punctuated by periods of inactivity. '...And a Bier for Young Arnie' evokes the arch lyricism and complex harmonic language of Arnold Schoenberg, particularly his pre-serial compositions. Finally, 'Wacky, Zany, Madcap' is just that; a wild ride and a blowing vehicle.

“Tall tales is dedicated to the great Australian filmmaker Fred Schepisi, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday”.

- Paul Grabowsky, Artistic Director, Monash Art Ensemble

Track listing

Paul Grabowsky, Variations (2000)

Paul Grabowskt, Tall Tales (2009)

Musicians

Paul Grabowsky, director

Scott Tinkler, trumpet

Eugene Ball, trumpet

James Macaulay, trombone

Paul Cornelius, tenor saxophone

Tony Hicks, tenor saxophone

Lachlan Davidson, flute / piccolo / alto saxophone

Brendan Toohey, clarinets

Erkki Veltheim, five-string electric violin

Frank di Sario, bass

Dan Mamrot, guitar

Joe O'Connor, piano / harpsichord

Dave Beck, drums

Shanie Klas, percussion

Credits

Produced by Paul Grabowsky.

Recorded in October 2012 at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University by Ross Cockle.

Mixed and Mastered at Allan Eatons Studio, St Kilda by Ross Cockle.

With special thanks fro Andrew Vizard and the Vizard Foundation, Ed Byrne, Rob Burke, Merryn Tinkler, Lena Gan, Phillip Rex and Lizzy Welsh.