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 limited. All Jade CD covers are distinctive. Many of the early Jade CD covers (like this one) display stylish black & white photography by Nicolas van der Waarden. 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, and they are now available on digital download. "MUSIC FOR A CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST" VOLUME 2 JADCD 1075 Works by: Dulcie Holland, Ann Carr-Boyd, Colin Brumby, Eric Gross, Lawrence Bartlett, Robert Allworth, Derek Strahan. Duration: 61'30" SUMMARY" This is a follow-up to the popular "Music For A Champagne Breakfast - The original" JADCD1085 (sold out but re-released and available at CD Baby!). In this equally mellow collection clarinettist Paul Champion with pianist Tony Baldwin perform works by Gross ("Happy Clarinet" , "Three Inventions"), Carr-Boyd ("On The Shores of Aswan") and Bartlett ("Bosun Club"). Holland contributes a Suite for solo oboe, "Three Signatures" (1992), "Rondel" (1985) for cello & piano and "Self Portrait" (1992) for solo clarinet. Allworth's "The Ascension" (1993) is a highly original work for Recorder Consort. Strahan's "Trans Australia Suite No. 2" (1968) presents more music from "Wheels Across Australia", a film documentary about the Leyland Brothers' transit of Australia by 4-wheel drive. MORE ABOUT THE MUSIC & PERFORMERS: TRACKS 1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14 ARE ALL PERFORMED BY PAUL CHAMPION, CLARINET & TONY BALDWIN, PIANO. TRACK 9 FEATURES SOLO CLARINET. ERIC GROSS (b.1926). Track 1 - HAPPY CLARINET Op.222/2 (1997) Composer's note: Having written "Sequence of Happiness" as an easily accessible piece for Mandolin and Piano, I arranged also for several other solo instruments with piano accompaniment in order to facilitate its use for teaching purposes. This is the Clarinet version. 'THREE INVENTIONS FOR CLARINET AND PIANO Op. 216(1997). These Inventions were composed for Sydney Clarinettist Paul Champion for use in Diploma examinatil recitals. They are intended to provide opportunities to the performer to demonstrate a high standard of technical and musical proficiency as well as to exhibit the ability of co-operating with the accompanist in a meaningful way. Each Invention may also be performed as an individual item if required. Track 12 - INVENTION No. l. After a cadenza-like statement by the clarinet, the piano joins in leading eventually into a quick section.The Invention concludes with a retrograde version of the initial statement. Track 13 - INVENTION No.Il. The clarinet commences in its lower register. After a smooth melodic interlude the music becomes dramatic and somewhat agressive. After several climaxes the earlier calm is restored. Track 14 - INVENTION No.lII. The tempo indication "Con Mote" implies lively movement in the music and a challenge to the soloist to exhibit mastery over the whole of the instrument's compass. The piano provides calm contrast in its solo passages. The climactic ending is contradicted by the final quiet notes. Track 16 - SEQUENCE OF HAPPINESS 0p.222 (1997). When Addan Hooper, Director of the Sydney Mandolins, found that there was a shortage of compositions, by Australian composers, for teaching purposes, he asked me to write such a piece especially for this JADE recording made at radio station 2MBS-FM by Michael Hooper (mandolin) and Katarina Kroslakova (piano). This is an easily accessible piece and does not make too many technical demands on either performer. LAWRENCE BARTLETT (1933 - 2002) Track 2 - BOSUN CLUB (1979) was written for the composer's daughter Elisabeth. The title comes from a youth club in Williamstown, the Dock City of Melbourne. The rich harmonies and limpid melody remind one of Gershwin - a fun piece! DEREK STRAHAN (b. 1935) Track 3 - TRANS AUSTRALIA SUITE No.2 (1968) Originally a film score commissioned by Robert Raymond in 1968, for a Documentary by the Leyland Brothers of their epic transit of Australia on a 4-wheel drive vehicle, screened on TV as WHEELS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. The music used for this selection consists of varying treatments of an original theme, the Queensland version of "Waltzing MatiIda", and the traditional Australian folk song "The Shearer's Dream". This selection portrays a billabong, transit through the interior, desert heat and rainstorm. All three themes are contrapuntally combined in the finale. The documentary was produced for TCN-9 and the Leyland Brothers. Performance by a studio orchestra: Colin Evans, flute; Winifred Durie, viola; Barbara Woolley, 'cello; Clarence Mellor, French horn; Linda Vogt, flute; Gordon Bennett, violin; John Sangster & Derek Fairbrass, percussion. ANN CARR-BOYD (b. 1938). Track 4 - ON THE SHORES OF ASWAN (1996). Written for MAGED FAHMEY in 1996 and so called because Maged is Egyptian. Tony Baldwin, the pianist, comments that the piece has overtones of the American composer John Adams and Ann Carr-Boyd is happy with this as she admires his music. The music is in three sections. The first section is fast moving followed by a reflective middle section and a reprise of the energetic first section. This recording celebrates Ann Carr-Boyd's 60th Birthday year. ROBERT ALLWORTH (b. 1943). Track 5 - PRELUDE FOR CLARINET AND PIANO (1996). A composition written in the meditative style, composed more as a clarinet solo piano with piano accompaniment. Track 11 - THE ASCENSION (1993). Written at the request of fellow composer IAN SHANAHAN and is composed for a Recorder Consort. The music is episodic and reminds one somewhat of Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1920). Performance: Recorder Consort directed by Ian Shanahan. DULCIE HOLLAND (b, 1913). THREE SIGNATURES FOR OBOE (1992) The pieces are a musical commentary on three imaginary personalities. Any resemblance to any living people would be a great coincidence. Track 6 - Philomena Mary O'Leary - Blousy and Billowy and not all Willowy. Track 7 - Victoria Ruston James- A moody girl. Track 8 - Jack Johnston - A jaunty type. Performance: Mark Bruwel, oboe. Track 9 - DSH SELF PORTRAIT (1992). This piece was given its first performance at the Tribute Concert to mark the composer's eightieth birthday in lanuary 1993. It is written around the notes D, Eb and B which musically represent the composer's initials D.S.H. It is made up of a number of contrasting episodes, each of which closes with reference to the three note theme. Track 10 - RONDEL (1985). A poem for 'cello and piano, it is built on a tranquil theme for the 'cello. A quickening of speed and much agitation from the piano leads to a furious climax but with the return to the opening theme. The music ends with quiet resignation. Performance: Gary Williams, 'cello; Max Olding, piano. COLIN BRUMBY (b. 1933). Track 15 - SCHERZO (1988) was commisioned by the Music Teachers' Association of NSW, with sponsorship from the Australia Bicentennial Authority and the NSW Bicentennial Council, to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary 1988. Performance: Carson Dron, piano. Other film music by Derek Strahan can be heard on these Jade CDs, all available at CDBaby: "On The Reef" Suite #1 (1974) on "The Glass House Suite" JADCD 1057. "On The Reef" Suite #2 (1970) on "Romantic Australian Classics" JADCD 1061. "Artisans Of Australia" on CD of that title JADCD 1054. Named after Film Australia's award-winning documentary series on traditional crafts "Aliens Among Us" (1974) on "Classics of Australian Music" JADCD 1060 "Trans Australia Suite No. 1" (1968) - music from "Wheels Across Australia", a film documentary about the Leyland Brothers' transit of Australia by 4-wheel drive. on "Best Of Australian Classics" JADCD 1065. "The Australian Ark" Suites 1 & 2 on "Afternoon Light" JADCD 1076. Suites 3 & 4 on "Fandango" JADCD 1078 all performed by a mix of top jazz and symphony players. A small jazz combo plays Strahan's "The Australian Ark" Suite No. 5 on "Dulcie Holland & Friends" JADCD 1089. Two 15 minute Suites of film music for feature films "Cult of Diana" (1992) and "Fantasy" (1990) both scored for virtual orchestra (synthesizer) with live flute (Michael Scott) and saxophone (Graeme Lyall) in "Cult" - on "Remembering Adrian Braun" JACD 1073.