MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Sculthorpe: Requiem and other works

"Sculthorpe's extraordinary use of colour, texture and rhythm, enriched by the imitation of natural sounds and Australian indigenous music has resulted in a language that is both highly accessible and thoroughly individual…this Requiem is all about displacements….a remarkably placid if troubled setting of the Dies Irae is followed by a ravishing Canticle in the form of a setting of an Aboriginal lullaby, itself followed by an extended cadenza for didgeridoo, brilliantly performed by William Barton…the Requiem is another remarkably original work from Sculthorpe that will only confirm his status as arguably the finest composer Australia has ever produced. This is a superlative release from ABC Classics…"
Robert Levett, International Record Review

Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine July 2007

"The music of Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe may be unique but there is nothing unapproachable about it. Here he merges classic forms with his trademark scoring for didjeridu but there's nothing showy or tacked-on about the trick - as the songful opening Requiem moves to a didjeridu-led other-worldliness. Fascinating, original and important."
(Gramophone)

One of Australia's leading composers, Peter Sculthorpe is celebrated on this double CD of his work. Featuring his most famous and substantial recent piece, Requiem for chorus, didjeridu and orchestra, as well as other well-known pieces such as Quamby and Earth Cry , this album will delight any Australian music devotee. Includes performances by the young didjeridu virtuoso William Barton.