Music of Tasmanian composer Don Kay

[Rach3]

Just discovered this composer who studied some with Malcom Williamson ( separate topic here recently), and while re-hearings will be required, I was impressed on first hearing with the following:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo-yvDX2Gk0 Sonata for Cello and Piano (18 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT6F5UD6BC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6OBCIlvTv4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruqTtN9d9sQ String Quartet # 2 (32 mins.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evy444H7Kdc Tasmania Symphony:The Legend of Moinee, for Cello and Orchestra (38 mins.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB_5zBPpdrI Piano Concerto (18 mins.)

For solo piano :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGYkyRmHdPU Piano Sonata No.1 (10 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F9liFImRPE Piano Sonata No. 8 (10 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9YuLzOkh7k Bird Chants ( 6 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAH60Hybg5w Bird Chants II ( 4 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFqDuIGR3Go Legend (8 mins.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySt0HGwHKo Dance Rituals ( 8 mins.)

Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Kay_(composer)

No recordings I've found , yet.

[barney]

Thanks Steve. Don't think I've heard of him. I'll put him on the list.

[maestrob]

Ditto!

[Rach3]

No recordings I've found , yet.

I was able to locate 2 cd’s , one of solo piano music only on the Tall Poppies ( Australian ? ) label at Presto, cd only, US $17.50 plus s&h from UK, and a MOVE label ( Australian ) cd , the Aussie site BuyWell asking AUS$23 plus AUS$28 for s&h to America, but was fortunate to find 256kbps mp3 downloads of both at I -Tunes for $12,$10.For variety, acquired only the $10 MOVE which has 3 piano sonatas ( different from what are at YT), the Cello Sonata, “Scherzando” for 2 pianos, and a work for flute and piano, “Hastings Triptych.” 77 mins. total. All the artists have worked with composer Kay ,Christian Wojtowicz,cello, David Bollard and Michael Kieran Harvey,pianos, and Fiona Perrin ,flute. Very satisfied, glad to have an example of his work to supplement an occasional foray back into his YT’s.

[maestrob]

Interesting, Rach3. Thanks for the update. I do plan on hearing your youtubes soon.

[barney]

No recordings I've found , yet.

I was able to locate 2 cd’s , one of solo piano music only on the Tall Poppies ( Australian ? ) label at Presto, cd only, US $17.50 plus s&h from UK, and a MOVE label ( Australian ) cd , the Aussie site BuyWell asking AUS$23 plus AUS$28 for s&h to America, but was fortunate to find 256kbps mp3 downloads of both at I -Tunes for $12,$10.For variety, acquired only the $10 MOVE which has 3 piano sonatas ( different from what are at YT), the Cello Sonata, “Scherzando” for 2 pianos, and a work for flute and piano, “Hastings Triptych.” 77 mins. total. All the artists have worked with composer Kay ,Christian Wojtowicz,cello, David Bollard and Michael Kieran Harvey,pianos, and Fiona Perrin ,flute. Very satisfied, glad to have an example of his work to supplement an occasional foray back into his YT’s.

Tall Poppies and Move are indeed small independent Australian labels. I have a lot of Move CDs - really adventurous. Michael Kieran Harvey is a brilliant pianist who specialises in contemporary classical. I don't know the other instrumentalists.

[maestrob]

Just heard the piece for cello and orchestra, but couldn't make it past the first 5 minutes. The Piano Concerto, besides being a better work (IMHO), was also better recorded, although still in monaural sound, and the Symphony III whish followed was even more interesting and in better stereo sound. The applause that followed was polite but unenthusiastic, but I liked the work.

Don't know if I'll be looking for CDs yet, but Don Kay's music is definitely worth hearing.

Many thanks, Rach3!

[Rach3]

Many fine works, , but the String Quartet # 2 linked above may be his masterpiece.

[maestrob]

Many fine works, , but the String Quartet # 2 linked above may be his masterpiece.

OK, thanks! I'll check that one out today for sure.

[maestrob]

Many fine works, , but the String Quartet # 2 linked above may be his masterpiece.

That is, surely, one of the most inventive string quartets of the XXth Century. If, say, the Emersons would tackle it, I would buy their CD immediately.

Thanks for the reminder about this masterpiece.

[Rach3]

Takes a bit of getting used to, but after some re-hearings,I've also come to enjoy the his Cello Sonata,link earlier here.

[absinthe]

I felt the works linked to here are a little backward looking considering he comes from the same stable as one of my favourites, Peter Sculthorpe. Kay doesn't seem to have quite the same sense of adventure.
.
The Legend of Moinee came over more as a piece of film music. Nice if it could be recorded more adequately but interesting all the same.