2-CD set of art songs by Australian composer Calvin Bowman. Duration: 109 mins

McMahon, Paul

English

The Australian National University

• Author : Name: Paul McMahon   • U number: u5361821 • Email: paul.mcmahon@anu.edu.au • School: School of Music • Output year: 2018 • Output title: Real and Right and True: Songs by Calvin Bowman • Publisher: Decca • Place: Australia • Output category: Audio/visual recording film or video  • Brief description of work: 2-CD set of art songs by Australian composer Calvin Bowman   Research background. Please outline the research field, context and research question.:  Composer, pianist, organist and Fulbright scholar Calvin Bowman (b. 1972) holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale University. In this significant, world premiere project released internationally on the acclaimed classical music label Decca (https://www.deccaclassics.com/au/) on 13 July 2018, three of Australia's finest singers, including Dr Paul McMahon (Deputy Head, ANU School of Music) – recorded over fifty of Bowman's acclaimed art song repertory for soprano, tenor and bass-baritone voices. The album title Real and Right and True originates from a set of nine poems by distinguished Australian poet, artist, writer and cultural commentator Michael Leunig (b. 1945), whose striking landscape 'Autumn Harvest' features as the cover artwork.   Research contribution. Please describe the contribution to the discipline area, innovation, extension of knowledge.:  Writing in Grove Music Online, Geoffrey Chew notes the general lack of song composition in composer’s output since the generation of Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett (https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.50647). Yet the connection between poetry and music in art songs, despite contemporary notions of the form’s conservative musical language, offers performers much in the pursuit of creative interpretation, lyrical, romantic sensibility and expressive, intimate delivery of the text. In Bowman’s view, the poetry set within the songs is a guide to finding beauty, harmony and comfort in the world. In this recording, the performer seeks to engage the listener through depth of feeling, subtlety of musicianship, simplicity of delivery and sensitivity of expression evidenced within the intimate relationship between the human voice and the piano.  Research significance. Please provide evidence of excellence, For e.g peer review assessment, sustained endeavour, reviews, description of reputation of venue, event or collaboration, selection for exhibition, project, grant.: Recognized for their technical dexterity and qualities of humanity, Bowman’s songs have been praised by luminaries including Barbara Bonney, Sir Neville Marriner and Lee Hoiby. This 2-disc set represents a watershed in the Australian musical landscape: Bowman (b. 1972) is the first Australian composer since Percy Grainger (1882-1961) to be signed exclusively by the Decca label. "It is a joy to be able to represent one of Australia's most acute colourists in music, Calvin Bowman, on Decca (Australia). He is at once, a pianist of distinction, a composer of exquisite subtlety and a musician of huge accomplishment. It is a pleasure to be able to work with him" - Cyrus Meher-Homji, General Manager, Classics & Jazz, Universal Music Australia.  Audio/Visual Recording Film or Video--        Release date: 13 July 2018        Catalogue number: 481 7051        Duration in minutes: 109   Number of ANU authors: 0  Number of external (non-ANU) authors if applicable: None  Evidence  https://open.spotify.com/album/75GlT81c6AhJMPnNiKpg8b   Document upload 1: http://music.cass.anu.edu.au/system/files/webform/aries/uploads/Bowman%20songs%20CD%20booklet.pdf Title/description: Excerpt from CD booklet  FoR code: 190407 Music Performance  Percentage: 100%   

Real and Right and True: Songs by Calvin Bowman

https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/145225/6/Paul%20McMahon%20-%20research%20background%20contribution%20and%20significance.pdf

Real and Right and True: Songs by Calvin Bowman

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