The long awaited Astra Choir CD, conducted by John McCaughey, recorded by Michael Hewes, with pieces by Morton Feldman, Will Ogdon, Earle Brown, Pauline Oliveros, Robert Carl and me, is now out on New World Records. Here's a link for more information and sound samples:
http://www.newworldrecords.org/album.cgi?rm=view&album_id=94924
Like all Astra adventures, this CD places the featured works - by Morton Feldman - in juxtaposition with other works which reflect off it, and hopefully reflect back, making a collection of pieces into a musical dialogue, revealing aspects of each which might not be heard in isolation. For 40 years, John McCaughey has heroically led the choir, through thick and thin, gracing Melbourne's music scene with a shining example of what can be done when musical events are organized with care, intellectual precision, and love. Visit the website for more information, and while you're there, download the liner notes, which feature a wonderful and detailed essay by John about the pieces and their contexts. Thanks also to Paul Tai and Paul Zinman from New World who shepherded this project to completion! I'm delighted with this CD, and I hope you will be too.
