Jade CDs are produced in Australia by composer/entrepreneur Robert Allworth who was awarded an order of Australia Medal (AM) in 1997 for his services to Australian music in producing over 80 (now over 90) CDs featuring the work of Australian composers. "Eden In Atlantis" offers a range of works by six composers of varied styles and durations. Track 1/2 - SONATA FOR 'CELLO AND PIANO (1993) by DULCIE HOLLAND (b. 1913). Duration 14'48". Commissioned by Gary Williams and played by him on this recording with the pianist Max Olding. The composer says the following about the work: "There are three movements. The first movement has two main themes, the first brusque and peremptory, the second more consoling. The second movement is based on a pleading motive and with some dramatic moments, the third is fast and urgent, containing references to the first movement. The work does not intend to be experimental but strives to bring out the essential character of the 'cello over a wide compass with the piano as a supporting partner." Tracks 3, 4 & 5 - CONCERTO FOR FRENCH BAROQUE LUTE AND CHAMBER ENSEMBLE ( 1988) by ROBERT ALLWORTH (b.1943). Duration 17'44". The Concerto is in three movements. The first movement consists of a series of strophes alternating between the lute and the ensemble. The second movement of the score is headed with a quotation from Shakespeare "The Autumn of life is here with sad faded flowers. Once they were beautiful in the rain". The music in this movement ebbs and flows in the form of a reverie. The third movement begins with a cadenza for the lute, and then recalls material from the previous two movements and ends with the solo lute. Adrian Hooper, who conducts the concerto, is a conductor / mandolinist who also performs and directs his own group "The Sydney Mandolins". He has also appeared at mandolinist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He has commissioned much new music. Susan Jones, the lutenist on this recording, is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She commissioned this concerto in 1988. The instruments and musicians comprising the ensemble on this recording are: Recorder - Michael Piraner; Harp- Azumi Lehmann; Violin - Barbara Oakes; Viola Da Gamba - Patrice Connerly; Violone - James Munro. Track 6 - O SACRED HEAD SORE WOUNDED (1992) COLIN BRUMBY (b. 1933). Duration 1'53". The above composition is one of the three Chorale Preludes that Colin Brumby has written on the well known Passion Chorale. Laurence Bartlett, organ. Track 7-THANKSGIVING (1986) by ERIC GROSS (b. 1926). Duration 3'00". This contemplative, melodic and meditative composition was written to celebrate the fortieth wedding anniversary of Frank and Una Hess, dearly beloved brother- and sister- in law of the composer, who reside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ray Lemond, piano. Track 8 - FAIRY PENGUINS (1994) by DULCIE HOLLAND (b. 1913). Duration 1'24" . The composer's words once again are quoted to describe the music: "Fairy Penguins follow each other around in twos & threes moving from water to sand, judging the tide~ and the winds." Dulcie Holland, piano. Track 9 - EDEN IN ATLANTIS (1995) A Scena for soprano, flute/alto flute & piano. MUSIC & LIBRETTO by DEREK STRAHAN (b. 1935). Duration 24'36". The work develops material intended for the first of a cycle of four operas on the subject of past civilisations lost to global cataclysm, suggested by writings on Atlantis by Plato and many others. The libretto describes Eve's recollections of a lovers' tryst and also describes an earth which is geologically different. A dramatic reading from a condensed version of the complete libretto for the opera "Eden In Atlantis" can be heard on the CD "Past Life Recall" also available at CD Baby. The 40 minute feature is illustrated with soundscaping & music, places the Scena in dramatic context. It is read by Derek Strahan and Amanda Holdsworth. Performance artists for this Scena are: Liza Rintel, soprano; Michael Scott, flute/alto flute; David Miller AM, piano. The live recording is of the premiere performance at the Joan Sutherland Room at the Opera Centre, Sydney, November 1996. The libretto for the Scena reads: In the fourth cycle of the second moon which is the closer of the two when the first moon was in eclipse my lover joined with me in that protected garden on the enchanted mountain which joins our land to the spirit realm above. Our first kiss was given enshrouded by pallor as etheric Malkuth shone alone amid the constellations. Then as our passion grew celestial Selene appear'd again bathing entangled limbs of vines and trees in cascading argenteous light. In this wall'd garden Aromatic blossoms scented the heavy air, mist lay on our nakedness, earth's warmth caressed, enfolded. Lost in each other we pass'd the night hours in endless embrace. At dawn, as we lay in bliss together beneath the outstretch'd arms of an ancient bo tree laden with ripe figs the vast furnace of the Sun rose in the western sea angry red becoming bronze. Around it the sky darkening to purple brighten'd from within finally to glow with the deep turquoise of its accustomed canopy. We prais'd the Sun who warms our land in constant heat from the first to the last day of her cycle numbering sixty and three hundred. Later breaking our fast on fig, pomegranate, berry and golden apple, we mov'd to a verge on the cliff edge where we reclin'd looking down on the temple of Alconuz built on the shore below its gilded roof brazen in the Sun's radiance. And as the day grew ever more fecund in its power and as the air grew hazy with coiling mist feeding the fruiting earth we watched two colossal serpents in the slow heaving of the deep lash their tails and writhe about their bodies entwined in frolic as they like us delighted in their play in the calm confines of the bay. Atlantiha!