Curiosities

by Laura Mathison (2007)

A CD title like ‘Curiosities’ certainly doesn’t give much away about what one should expect musically apart from, well, curiosities. This double-disc compilation of Australian composer Eve Duncan is a fascinating collection of short chamber works, and features a diverse and eclectic range of compositions.

Duncan says that “behind the material world one senses a deeper world of inspiration...a reality of invisibility...composition is the means by which I swim through this sea of complex activity...” She navigates through these varied conceptual straights with a variety of compositions drawing upon nature and spirituality, and a wide range of myths and poetry.

The first disc—entitled Curiosities A— includes many works referring to the natural world; Dragonfly, The Butterfly, The Bee Dance, Mosquito and Tiger Snake-the only work including voice. In Duncan’s liner notes, she describes her perception of these animals, which are conveyed in a very unique manner. A diversion from this theme, and a particular standout, Buddha fantasy was composed for solo guitar; a unique choice considering it was inspired by the chanting of Buddhist monks in the Himalayas, and makes for interesting listening.

Runner of Light is for string ensemble and didgeridoo (one in F# in case you were wondering), and explores the battle between the Rainbow serpent of the Australian Aborigines with the “forces of materialism in modern Australia”. It is one of many works on this disc reflecting the composer’s appreciation for Australian poetry, landscape and people.

Curiosities continue on the second disc, which opens with two meditations on myths about water; The Spirit of the Water and The Birth of Water, both for solo piano, and expertly performed by Michael Kieran Harvey. The metaphoric The Crab Feast is based on the David Malouf poem of the same name, which explores aspects of sexuality and love. The poem is represented musically with rhapsodically intertwined piano and percussion.

The short pieces for solo piano, Salamanders, Undine, Sylphs and Gnomes were originally conceived as a sonata for the piano, and capture something of the individual character of these four different spirits.

These discs feature both Australian and overseas musicians, who perform with accuracy and obvious enthusiasm. Curiosities is the perfect title for this collection of eclectic pieces and is well worth the discovery.