Visit my website at www.lowrirecords.com and my blog www.busyline.blogspot.com for details and latest news of my work as cellist, singer, writer and broadcaster
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About my music
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My music is quite a mix:classical, contemporary and cabaret. I perform as singer and as cellist, and often at the same time, as you can hear in Busy Line - no double-tracking here! Busy Line is my homage to Rose Murphy, the Chee Chee girl, who had the most extraordinary voice. The song was arranged for my duo A Man, A Woman and A Double Bass (with Peter Buckoke) by Kate Romano. This recording is on our CD Visible Bass Line. On another of our CDs, Three for the Price of Two, is the so-called Paganini Fantasia. It's apparently really a piece by the cellist Servais, arranged for cello and bass. Whoever wrote it, it's a tour de force, with cascades of octaves, sixths and thirds for the cellist, and, a jolly nice tune.
With harpist Hugh Webb I have recorded both songs and instrumental music on the CD Scotch and Soda. I've put two of my favourites on this site: She Moved Through The Fair, an Irish folk song, (with a harp arrangement by John Marson), and Song of The Black Swan. This is one of few works actually composed for cello and harp, rather than being an arrangement. Villa-Lobos also wrote a less than successful cello sonata, but he is justly popular with cellists owing, not simply to the exquisite Black Swan, but also to the glorious Bachianas Brasileiras No 1 for eight cellos, and No5 for the same combination plus soprano.
Listening to the Carter and Poulenc sonata movements, you would hardly believe that they were composed in the same year. But, they were, in 1948. You can hear the complete works, along with Myaskovsky's Second Cello Sonata, on The 1948 Sonatas. Carter's allegro is a fleet-footed, wacky romp through rapidly changing rhythmic meters, while Poulenc's Ballabile is just as nimble, evoking the gaiety and bustle of Paris. The pianist is Iwan Llewelyn-Jones.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; "Broken-roofed buildings" are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
hi lowri - i do believe you're a chum of old ma baker! thanks so much for finding me on here. hope all's well with you - the tracks you have up are gorgeous! take care...maybe mum will get it together so we can all meet up soon x
