SEAN O'BOYLE (b.1963): Riversymphony (Jane Sheldon, Anna Fraser [sopranos], Willoughy Symphony Choir, South Brisbane Federal Band), O'BOYLE/WILLIAM BARTON (b.1981): Concerto for Didgeridoo (Barton [didgeridoo]).

Catalogue Number: 02J091
Label: ABC Classics
Reference: 476 6288
Format: CD
Price: $17.98
Description: Commissioned for the 1999 Riverfestival in Brisbane, O'Boyle's symphony adds a 30-piece brass band to its large orchestra, chorus and soloists to tell the mythical tale of a river's lifecycle from the storm clouds which form over the sea, bringing rain to the mountains, to the river's return to the sea. The music is richly and colorfully orchestrated and film-score dramatic (with edgy percussion and dissonance as the river runs into urban pollution) and will easily appeal to contemporary orchestral collectors. Barton is the young aboriginal didgeridoo performer for whom Sculthorpe not only wrote a part in his Requiem but for whom he has also gone back and revised other works, adding a part for his instrument. O'Boyle took sung and played improvisations and rhythms from the young soloist and developed themes for his four-movement (Earth, Water, Wind, Fire) concerto. If the striking sound of the didgeridoo has a hold over you too, you'll want this concerto! The Queensland Orchestra; Sean O'Boyle.