PETER SCULTHORPE

Requiem

My Country Childhood

Earth Cry (abridged version)

Great Sandy Island; New Norcia; Quamby (for chamber orchestra)

Adelaide Chamber Singers, William Barton, Adelaide SO, Arvo Volmer, James Judd etc.

Includes world premiere recordings

Sculthorpe set aside most of 2004 to compose, then revise, his choral and orchestral setting of the Latin Requiem mass. He described this work, for chorus, didgeridoo and orchestra, as concerned with; “eternal rest and with light that is all enlightening, both of primary concern to all human beings”. But more specifically, he thought of the Requiem as being chiefly for children killed in the war in Iraq. The prominent place given to the didgeridoo and to a particular indigenous Aboriginal chant leaves no doubt that the work is also his call for justice for Australian Aboriginal people.

“Sculthorpe’s extraordinary use of colour, texture and rhythm, enriched by the imitation of natural sounds and Australian indigenous music has resulted in a language that is both highly accessible and thoroughly individual…this Requiem is all about displacements….a remarkably placid if troubled setting of the Dies Irae is followed by a ravishing Canticle in the form of a setting of an Aboriginal lullaby, itself followed by an extended cadenza for didgeridoo, brilliantly performed by William Barton…the Requiem is another remarkably original work from Sculthorpe that will only confirm his status as arguably the finest composer Australia has ever produced…This is a superlative release from ABC Classics…” Robert Levett, IRR

“The eagerly awaited Requiem brings a further jewel to a wide audience…”

“(The) Adelaide Chamber Singers clearly understand the idiom and love the music, to which their full, fresh tone and blend are ideally suited”.

“An essential release from one of the world’s greatest living composers”

Ivan Moody. Gramophone Magazine, July 2007.

“Sculthorpe blends evocative Aboriginal sounds with heartfelt Requiem. Compelling and beautifully performed.” Classic FM, August 2007

ACB 2cds ABC4765692