My winter of concerts and more recordings in Europe
As a composer it’s a great feeling to have another work completed, and in the last year I have had the satisfaction of writing three Symphonic Suites and another Symphonic Poem. But even more satisfying is to see these works performed and recorded.
So, while Sydneysiders were enjoying the sun and the beach in January this year, I made my 6th trip to wintry Europe, to Vienna and the The Czech Republic, to record my latest works with The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra (Janáčkova filharmonie Ostrava).
It’s difficult to pinpoint the highlight of the trip. Reuniting with my close colleague and friend Anthony Armore and Elena Platon - pictured here in their superb Viennese violin store - is always a joy.
There was the honour of attending the world premier concert of my very first orchestral work, Symphonic Poem “The Passing”. I wrote it way back in 2007 and the Janacek Philharmonic performed it beautifully on January 21st and 22nd in Ostrava, conducted, of course, by Anthony. It was such a success I was asked to sign autographs! You can now see the concert on my YouTube channel thanks to the support of my video and editing crew.
Then followed the recording sessions of my symphonic works - Symphonic Suite No.2 "And The Medieval Tale Continues" and Symphonic Suite No.3 "Aspects of Autumn" - with Anthony conducting the orchestra. Suite No. 2 is the sequel to my Suite No. 1 which we recorded in July 2015, so it is extra satisfying to have the two recordings now complete, and currently in preparations for release as a double CD later this year.
I owe a lot of thanks to my close friend Mark J Saliba. Without his great orchestrating know-how, "The Passing" would never have happened. That Debt also extends to Anthony Armore and the management team of The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anyone who thinks classical composition and the process of getting one's music out there is a quick and easy process, think again! It was a hectic three weeks in Europe, but a great experience, and it was all a great success.
Now I’m back in the southern hemisphere where I have my head down, working hard at what I love - the art of composition.
