Shop Now

The Music Trust

Expatriate Australian Jennifer Fowler was born in 1939 in Bunbury,Western Australia. Tertiary education at the University of Western Australia nurtured her talents which were soon recognised through composition prizes, performances and broadcasts. She travelled overseas for further education and experience and subsequently spent most of her life in London as a freelance composer. Her works include orchestral, choral, ensemble, solo and choral music. Over the years she has won many awards, received many commissions and international performances. Amazingly, this CD is the first to be dedicated entirely to her output. It presents a nicely balanced program of three vocal works interspersed with three instrumental pieces.

Lines Spun with Stars opens with an extended flute solo which is gradually taken over by a piano solo then, similarly, the piano gives way to the cello. In this way, the instruments interact – coming together and then parting. The weaving of musical lines creates the effect of delicacy and transparency, perfectly reflecting the title of the piece. The listener is drawn into the filigree of a magical, meditative world. Rowland Sutherland (flute), Clare O’Connell (cello) and Natalie Bleicher (piano), members of Lontano, amply demonstrate their solo skills in this attractive work. This trio is joined by Janey Miller (oboe) and Andrew Sparling (clarinet) in Streaming Up – a lively piece with an ongoing upward momentum and a busy, exuberant atmosphere; a slow, more contemplative middle section provides a short respite before returning to the mood of the beginning, that of buoyancy and excitement.

Separating these two instrumental pieces are two vocal works – Lady Maisry and Letter from Haworth. Written for piano and soprano, Lady Maisry is a setting of a traditional English poem of ten verses that concern a dying woman who sends urgently for her lord. Clever use of motifs and figures for the piano provides unity as the singer tells the story. Description in music is clear as one hears the urgency of the lord riding to his lady’s side, or the strident tolling of a church bell as it vividly warns of crisis and death. The dramatic range created during the narrative is sensitively interpreted by British soprano Raphaela Papadakis, whose lovely voice is well suited to this expressive role. She is expertly partnered by Lontano’s pianist Natalie Bleicher.

Fowler takes inspiration from Charlotte Bronte in her setting of Letter from Haworth. Written in 1984 revised in 2005, this work depicts the deep feelings that Bronte had for a former (male) teacher, who clearly did not reciprocate. It opens with an instrumental passage that subtly suggests stirrings of passion; the words are at first spoken above the accompaniment while the scene is set, then sung as the writer’s innermost thoughts become increasingly exposed. The mellow voice of Australian mezzo-soprano Lauren Easton is an ideal vehicle for conveying the ups and downs of emotion, restrained at times and unrestrained at other times, culminating in a visceral cry of desperation before the subdued conclusion. Lontano’s clarinet, cello and piano reinforce the strength of passion in this moving composition.

From the Cave Mouth is an extended song, described by the composer herself as enigmatic, as indeed it is. The text, also by the composer, is itself enigmatic – a “stream of consciousness” perhaps? Fowler writes: “The title refers to a voice or message which seems to convey something highly charged, but enigmatic. It could be the prophesies of an oracle, or refer to something found in a cave needing interpretation, such as ancient scrolls, or a pile of bones. ‘Cave’ also implies echoes.” This interesting, intriguing work is beautifully performed by Raphaela Papadakis, Andrew Sparling and Caroline Balding (violin).

The concluding work – Lament – is a song without words, an elegy. This heartfelt piece sometimes reflects sweetness, but mostly sadness and resignation at the death of a friend. The composer does not rage against the inevitable, instead writing a gentle, personal tribute. Melodic strands from oboe interweave with clarinet and bassoon, showcasing the considerable skills of members of Lontano – Janey Miller, Andrew Sparling and Julie Andrew (bassoon). A quiet, contemplative conclusion to the CD program.

The recordings were made in December 2018 for release in 2019, expertly captured by sound engineer Adaq Khan in the Warehouse, Theed Street, London.

The booklet contains texts for the vocal works, biographies for the composer, the two singers and for Lontano, but not for individual instrumentalists, all of whom maintain the highest standards that have made Lontano famous over the forty plus years since its inception. Other than for Letter from Haworth, composition dates for the pieces were not included, although they would possibly be of interest to listeners. Regardless of when they were written, these works were selected by Fowler to best represent her output and she has chosen a cover image that reflects her continuing connection with Australia – a painting by indigenous artist Sarah Kugwarreye Morton.

This release is a long overdue recognition of Jennifer Fowler as a major contemporary composer and is an important contribution to the wider knowledge of her music.