David Lumsdaine: White Dawn: songs and soundscapes – Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), John Turner (recorders), Peter Lawson (piano), Gemini, Martyn Brabbins
David Lumsdaine’s work is mostly rooted in Australia where he was born, though he now lives in the UK. This unique and intriguing set includes pieces for a variety of instruments (not all are vocal), a number of which relate to the Australian landscape and the sounds of its unique wildlife – which are also captured in live ‘outback’ recordings demonstrating the voices of the birds and creatures that inspired some of the works. The music itself is approachable and well written, the recording an important addition to the modern music repertoire.
"...This is music of profound stillness despite its often disjunct, almost Webernesque intervals and moments of rapid-fire note clusters. Soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers is unflappable in the face of this music’s deands. Given her accuracy of pitch, tone production, and excellent diction, she fully realizes the poetry of the texts before her. Recorder virtuoso John Turner becomes a cosmic bird; pianist Peter Lawson comfortaly, indeed joyously, navigates the daunting demands of Cambewarra; and cellist Jonathan Price does honor to Blue Upon Blue. The recorded sound is first-rate ..."
William Zagorski - Fanfare - January/February 2012
"A lesson in musical possibility and artistic skill from a composer of rare sonic vision."
Philip Clark - Gramophone - June 2011
"...All the performers enter Lumsdaine’s musical world with skill and enthusiasm, and perform a representative programme of his music with which any composer would be delighted. Thanks to this pair of CDs we can also enjoy exploring the works of one of Australia’s most creative and individual musicians." Andrew Mayes - Musicwebinternational.com - 11 April 2011
