Margaret Sutherland
Margaret Sutherland (1897–1984) was an Australian composer whose work ranged across almost every form, with a particular gift for chamber music. She remains one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century Australian composition.
A student of Sir Arnold Bax in London during the 1920s, she wrote in almost every form, though chamber music remained her chief ground. Major works include the symphony The Four Temperaments (orchestrated by Robert W. Hughes in 1964), concertos for various instruments including violin, the symphonic poem Haunted Hills (1953), and the chamber opera The Young Kabbarli (1964; libretto by Maie Casey).
One of her best-known pieces is In the Dim Counties (1936), for voice and piano, from Five Songs. Setting poetry by John Shaw Neilson—a pastoral lyric poet whose verse is marked by simplicity of form and restraint of utterance—she answers that plainness with clear rhythms, light textures and even musical balance. Five Songs has been recorded by numerous Australian female artists, among them Helen Noonan.
Margaret Sutherland is featured on the following titles
Margaret Sutherland: The Chamber Music with Strings
World premiere recordings of marvellous chamber music by one of Australia's neglected composers. Margaret Sutherland (1897–1984) studied with Arnold Bax in the 1920s and returned home to write some of this country's most original and striking works.
Compositions by Margaret Sutherland also appear on
Woman's Song: Australian Settings of Poetry by Judith Wright
Elizabeth Campbell has long been a tireless promoter of Australian art song. With Tony Fogg in the 1980s she presented the recital series From Nathan To Now; two decades later she brought that energy to a recording of settings of poetry by Judith Wright.
Viva Sax!
Margery Smith is a Sydney-based saxophonist whose virtuosity meets the full range of this Australian programme, from mid-century sonatas to later works that lean into jazz, improvisation and ensemble colour.
Viola Power
It's hard to imagine a CD of Australian music for the viola, but here it is. From Grainger's chirpy love song through Ross Edwards' intricate dance to Peter Sculthorpe's masterful work with percussion.
Voices
Composer–pianist Roger Smalley presents a personal recital of lean, often quiet Australian piano works from the 1960s and 1970s, many appearing on CD here for the first time.
Retrospect: Pre-War Australian Miniatures
Larry Sitsky is known throughout Australia as a composer. He is also one of the finest pianists, and he has a healthy respect for the work of his fellow Australians. Here he plays pre-war miniatures with evident affection.
Notations
Stephanie McCallum is a Sydney-based pianist who specialises in contemporary music. Her performances bring light and colour to these works. Music by Xenakis and Boulez sits well beside a generation of Australian composers.
Songs of Sea and Sky
Nigel Westlake and David Bollard present Australian music for clarinet and piano by Peter Sculthorpe, Ross Edwards, Mark Isaacs, Miriam Hyde, Margaret Sutherland and Don Banks.