Jade CDs are widely heard on national and fine music stations throughout Australia, and are recognised as a valuable resource by educational authorities as being uniquely representative of the work of Australian composers. They are manufactured in limited runs of 500 and stocks are therefore may be regarded as collectors' items! All Jade CD covers are distinctive. Most Jade CDs have an anthology format and include works by several composers. It's great to have these CDs on offer for a wider audience at CD Baby. "CONCERTO - AUSTRALIA SUITE" JADCD 1093 Works by: Eric Gross, Robert Allworth. Duration: 43'17" This CD comprises two major concert works which have been digitally remastered from earlier releases and are now available on one CD. Concerto No. 2 for Mandolin & Chamber orchestra Op. 151, by Eric Gross is dedicated to Paul Hooper who plays the solo part in this recording, with the Tasmanian Symphony orchestra conducted by Patrick Thomas. The two outer movements feature patterns of dialogue between soloist and orchestra. In the second movement, to quote the composer, a succession of "intense string passages are answered by mandolin cadenzas written especially to exploit the musicianship and technical mastery of Paul Hooper. " Robert Allworth's "Australia Suite" is composed (in the composer's words) "in a style somewhat reminiscent of Stravinsky's Ballet AGON where the orchestra is used in sections and only occasionally at full strength. The Suite comprises 9 movements each of which employs skilful orchestral devices to portray a different time and place at various locations across the Australian continent. Patrick Thomas conducts the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. This recently produced Jade CD features digitally re-mastered recordings of two major Australian orchestral works, both of which have previously appeared on Jade releases which are either sold out (Mandolin Concerto #2) or in very short supply. You will also find Australia Suite on "Australian Landscape" JADCD 1068 along with the premiere performance of Dulcie Holland's String Quartet (1996). Sorry about the difficult choice! Eric Gross's Mandolin Concertto #2 got a very favourable mention at the Mandolin Cafe - Mandolin Café - http://www.mandolincafe.net - To all who are interested in sampling the Australian mandolin CDs that we hear about from time to time ... I ordered the one with Eric Gross' concerto #2 for mandolin and orchestra. The piece is excellent -- complex, modern language, but still quite tonal and accessible, with a very involved mandolin part. Paul Hooper is the soloist. He is an incredible player. -------------- Robert A. Margo