Jenny Duck-Chong mezzo-soprano and Geoffrey Gartner cello
How Far We’ve Come Together… is a celebration of collaboration; world premiere recordings of eight duos for mezzo-soprano and cello, six of them written specifically for Halcyon’s artistic director, mezzo-soprano Jenny Duck-Chong, and cellist Geoffrey Gartner. This is a significant legacy recording. It embodies their long musical partnership and the way they have grown over decades of shared musical experience to become master interpreters of this bespoke music.
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TRACK LIST
| 1 | Gordon Kerry | My Sorrow's Flower (2020) | 4:39 |
| 2-4 | Julian Yu | Three Haiku (1987)
Summer grasses Drinking his morning tea Resolved |
1:34 1:22 0:57 |
| 5 | Andrew Schultz | Flock of Angels (2020) | 2:51 |
| 6-8 | Nicola LeFanu | Songs for Jane (2006) Far away Scattered petals Standing around |
1:39 1:43 1:39 |
| 9-10 | Larry Sitsky | Two Songs on a C-Pedal (2020) I am so deep in day The point of noon is past |
2:08 2:18 |
| 11 | Kate Reid | The Wagtail (2020) | 1:58 |
| 12 | Michael Berkeley | Typewriter Music (2014) | 2:02 |
| 13 | Brad Taylor-Newling | Stars (2014) | 6:31 |
To view the liner booklet click here
How Far We’ve Come Together… presents new and diverse repertoire for the combination of mezzo and cello. Here is Halcyon at its most intimate: a curated program of works for only two players celebrating a shared musical life.
WORDS FROM THE ARTISTS
“Working with someone who knows you well - both your strengths and idiosyncrasies - and who has shared decades of musical experience with you creates a deep sense of trust and allows a real freedom to express yourself without reserve. We now bring an ease and understanding to our work based on our long, shared history.”
“Conversations over many years have delved into the nuances of every aspect of our performance. Discussions on breathing, bowing, colour, balance, dynamics and the qualities of our instruments have shaped and influenced our approaches.”
“Creating the first performance of a work and capturing it in the recording studio is a joy for performers. We are both deeply interested in uncovering and interpreting what is on the page of a score; what is at the heart of both composer and poet’s intent.”
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“The performing artists on this CD are completely in tune with each other’s approach to the music… there seems to be a joy in the music-making that leaps out of the speakers! - Alan Holley, Classikon, April 2025
"Halcyon has been in the forefront of creating new Australian music for many years. It has been my absolute pleasure to be part of their creative growth. I wish them many more years of working for the cause that is so close to all our hearts.” - Larry Sitsky
“It is beautifully produced and it sounds gorgeous.” - Nicola LeFanu
Produced by Jenny Duck-Chong and Geoffrey Gartner
Recorded at Trackdown Scoring Stage on 14-15 November 2019 and 16-17 July 2020
Engineer: Daniel Brown
Mastering: Kathy Naunton
Graphic design: Liz Duck-Chong
Cover photo: Keith Saunders
Digital release by Halcyon on 24 March 2025
CD release by Halcyon on 24 March 2025
